We are looking at the gift of Prophecy. The gift of prophecy is one of the most common gifts in the bible.
In fact, the whole bible is laden with prophecy from the old to the new testament.

In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul encourages us to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. Why? Because prophecy is such an effective tool in winning souls and building believers.
Knowing the biblical meaning of prophecy will help us to know when we are manifesting this gift by the Spirit or if it is just our emotions or flesh in action.

What is Prophecy?
As defined in 1 Corinthians 14:4, it means speaking edification, exhortation, and comfort to men.

EDIFICATION: giving instruction for moral improvement
EXHORTATION: to emphatically urge someone to do something
COMFORT: to ease grief and distress

When you get a direct Word from the Lord for yourself or to (usually) give to someone else, that is Prophecy. And when I say a direct word, I mean the message from the Lord that will be given to you will literally be word for word. It might be short or long. Sometimes God uses it to confirm a previous message that He has been speaking to you or that person.

Prophecy can come in the form of:
• A future event
• A counsel
• An instruction
• A confirmation
• A correction
• A warning
• An encouragement

However, in whatever form it comes, every prophecy must pass the test of God’s word. I mean, beware of prophecies that make you go against God’s clear written word or that glorifies a person (even yourself) above God.

PLEASE REJECT ANY PROPHECY THAT DOES NOT LINE UP WITH SCRIPTURE.

HOW TO MANIFEST THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
1. Desire it
2. Become intimate with God
3. Seek help from Christians experienced in it

Again, there is no secret to manifesting this gift. First, you must desire it, then be consistent in spending quality time alone with God. Then read books about prophecy written by people who have or are actively manifesting this gift or personally meet such persons to put you through.

Don’t think what you need is impartations alone. Stop looking for every man of God to lay hands on you. There is no short cut. Any short cut will surely lead you into error.

Finally, the church today is filled with so many powerless Christians because nobody is willing to sit down with God everyday for 5, 6, 8 hours just communicating with him. Everybody wants to pursue money and make it in life. Those who end up paying the price, we exalt them and rush to their meetings to get a prophetic word.

Some prophets eventually get carried away and become false prophets who are only after the money in your pocket. You are easily deceived and prefer to give your money to them than sit down on your own to seek God. This is not how God wants it. I speak to myself as well. I invite you to actively desire this gift. Lets stop allowing the devil to carry on his activities in the church through false prophets while we sit down on our comfortable couches and criticize and gossip about them. Arise and take up the mantle. Be a spokesperson for God.

May God fill our hearts with this desire in Jesus name, Amen.