PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD
(Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
Devotional Text: 1
Cor. 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 5:19-21
Introduction:
The Scripture, “Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19) and do
not despise prophecy (vs. 20) seem to indicate that some cautious believers had
questioned the use of spiritual gifts in the Church. But, in 1 Corinthians
14:1, believers are urged to seek the gift of prophecy, the Spirit –guided
public utterances of deep truths. This gift may have been abused, but abuse
does not stop the use. In the words of John Wycliffe, the predictive element in
biblical prophecy should neither be overstressed, nor minimized, as the task
of one who prophesies is to tell what God Has told him, including things to
come.
GENERAL REMARKS
(1)
Prophecy
should not be stopped in the Church, (1 Thess. 5:20)
(2)
We are to
test everything (including prophecy), and accordingly, hold fast that which is
good, (vs. 21)
(3)
The Holy
Scripture encourages the believer to seek the gift of prophecy, (1 Cor. 14:1)
(4)
The gift of
prophecy is for the strengthening, encouragement and comfort of the people (vs.
3).
THE GIFT OF PROPHECY AND
FALSEHOOD
Falsehood, according to the Merrian Webster
Dictionary is “the absence of truth or accuracy”, or “the practice of lying”,
and this is not acceptable in prophecy, since it is believed to emanate from
God, who does not lie or falls short of accuracy. To this end, the person with
the gift of prophecy should always ensure the reliability of the source of his
prophetic utterances, as prophecy could either come from the mind, Satan or
God. But, for the purpose of this lesson, falsehood in prophecy is when one who
prophesies deliberately gives what is cooked up in the heart to deceive the
people, and this, has become a common experience in today’s world. The prophecy
that comes from God does not lie, but always fulfils hundred percent, and comes
with no iota of confusion. This shows that there are still people who claim
they are prophetic, but:
(i)
Prophesy not
the right things, but prophesy deceit, (Isa. 30:10) and falsely (Jer. 5:31)
(ii)
Prophesy
lies in the Name of the Lord (Jer. 14:14), saying, I have dreamed, I have
dreamed, (Jer. 23: 25-26)
(iii)
God is
against those who prophesy false dreams, which do not profit the people, (Jer.
23:32)
GIFT OF PROPHECY AND THE PURPOSE
OF THE GIFT
Principally,
the gift of prophecy is for the strengthening, encouragement and comfort of the
people (1 Cor. 14: 3), and not for the Leadership of the people, though, it
could be used by God, at times, to give some measure of direction, (Acts 13:
2). But, on no account should prophecy
be depended upon for leadership, both for the individual believer or in the Church,
as the Holy Spirit, Himself, is the Leader of God’s people (Rom. 8:14), and the
church, (Acts 16:6). Therefore, the purpose of prophecy in the Church is to
strengthen the faith of those who may have been weakened by circumstances that
try to lure them out of the promises of God, and to encourage or reassure them
of the faithfulness of the Lord, as well as bring Divine Comfort that refreshes
the heart, pertaining the things they long to get from God. In this connection,
this lesson asserts that:
(i)
The Holy
Spirit gives direct leadership to God’s people (Rom. 8:14) and the church
(Acts
16:6) and not by prophecy, (1 Cor. 14:3)
(ii)
God, at
times, directs certain works of the ministry to be done, by prophecy (Acts
13:2)
does
not mean He leads the Church by prophecy (see Acts 10:19-20).
(iii)
Prophecy
should be allowed to flourish in the Church (1 Thess. 5:19-20), but on no
account,
should
it be a premeditated device to deceive the people (Jer. 23:26), which is false
vision and
divination from evil spirits, and not
prophecy, (Jer. 14:14).
GIFT OF PROPHECY AND THE JUDGMENT
OF GOD
Those who make prophecy their business
commodity should get it straight, that God will surely bring them to the brink
of judgment, (2 Peter 2:1). And, by way of information, any prophecy aimed at
deceiving and making merchandise of the people is worse than armed robbery, and
accordingly, must not go unpunished, as the Holy Scripture already says, “woe
unto them! (who give false prophecy) for they have gone in the way of Cain, and
ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the
gainsaying of Korah”, (Jude 1:11). So, “beware of false prophets, who come to
you in sheep clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves”, (Matt. 7:15), and
also observe that:
(i)
Those who
prophesy falsely in the Name of the Lord, do so to drive the people
out of
the way, that they may perish with them, (Jer. 27:15)
(ii)
Their end is
destruction, and their god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame,
who only think of earthly things, (Phil.
3:18-19)
(iii)
They will finally be pushed outside the gate
of Heaven, with all others who practice falsehood, (Rev. 22:15)
In conclusion, please re-establish that the gift of
prophecy is of God, and should be allowed to operate in the Church, (1 Thess.
5:19-20). But, we should also be aware that there are those who prophesy
falsely (Jer. 5:31) and in deceit (Isa. 30:10), whose end is destruction,
(Phil. 3:18-19). Equally, we shall take cognizance of the biblical truth that
prophecy is basically for the strengthening, encouragement and comfort of the
people (1 Co. 14:3) and not for leadership, as the leadership of the Church and
God’s people is the Duty of the Holy Spirit, (Rom. 8:14;Acts 13:6). PLEASE, GIVE PROPHECY THE RIGHT APPROACH!
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