This is one thing we all should desire as Christians because the bible says that 'as many as are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God'. The leading of the Spirit is the guarantee of our Eternal Life.
The entire book will not be published but every chapter will be previewed and I strongly recommend that you get a hard copy for future references.
Ensure that you do not miss any part of this book reading. Enjoy!
Chapter 25: Guidance Through Prophecy
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
—1 Corinthians 14.1
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
—1 Corinthians 12:29
—1 Corinthians 14.1
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
—1 Corinthians 12:29
Paul, speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus in his farewell message, said, "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me" (Acts 20:22,23). Then in chapter 21, while on his journey Paul landed at Tyre where the ship was to be unladen. Luke, the writer of Acts, was with Paul. He wrote, “And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem” (v.4).
Paul continued on his journey ACTS 21:8-14.
Paul continued on his journey ACTS 21:8-14.
Some have thought that Paul missed it. However, when Paul did go up to Jerusalem and was arrested, Jesus stood by Paul in the night. He appeared to him in a vision. He did not rebuke Paul. Jesus did not tell Paul that he had missed it. He said, "... Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome" (Acts 23:11).
No, Paul did not miss it. What God was doing was preparing Paul for what was ahead of him.
Notice that we have two different things operating here: (1) the gift of prophecy; (2) the ministry of the prophet. They are different. They are not the same. It is a mistake to confuse the two, yet this is often done.
The fact that one prophesies does not make him a prophet. The Word of God plainly teaches that everyone should desire to prophesy (1 Cor. 14:1). Prophecy is a supernatural utterance in a known tongue—your own tongue. (Speaking in tongues is supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue—a tongue unknown to you.) Prophecy can be used in prayer, as well as tongues.
There is the office of the prophet. For one to be a prophet, he stands in that office and uses that ministry. A prophet has the revelation gifts (the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and/or the discerning of spirits) in operation along with prophecy.
You have to judge prophecies by the Word of God. If prophecy is not in line with the Word of God, it is not right. Secondly, you have to judge personal prophecies by what you have in your own spirit. If you do not have something in your own spirit, do not accept a personal prophecy.
Do not build your life on prophecies. Do not guide your life by prophecies. Build your life on the Word! Let those other things be secondary. Put the Word of God first!
You have to realize that it isn't exactly God doing it. It is men prophesying under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Anything that man has to do with, is not perfect. Spirit of God is perfect. The gifts of the Spirit in themselves are perfect. But they certainly are not always perfect in manifestation, because they are manifested through imperfect vessels. This is the reason prophecy and tongues with interpretation need to be judged by the Word.1 CORINTHIANS 14:29,30
Sometimes folks do speak out without the unction of the Spirit. This does not do away with the fact that her tongues were real. However, they were in imperfect operation. They were misused. I admonish people to be very careful about personal prophecies. So many lives have been shipwrecked and ruined by not being careful regarding personal prophecy. Don't marry someone because someone prophesied you should.
Also, don't go into the ministry because somebody prophesied you should. Get it on the inside of you for yourself. Then if a prophecy confirms what you already have, that's all right.
Remember—if it does not bear witness, or confirm something you already have, do not accept a personal prophecy.
As long as the gift of prophecy stays in the realm of speaking to men for edification, exhortation, and comfort, it is wonderful. Encourage that. But many times someone who prophesies may see a prophet minister with a word of foreknowledge. Then he begins to think, "I prophesy, so I can do that." Then he moves out of the place where he should be, into the other realm where he should not be.
We need to know these things. It is very easy for babies to be misled and misguided. We can get off track. That's why Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about these things.
This is one of my favorite chapters of this book. Every word is so important. I had a hard time not putting word on board.
We are gradually coming to the end of this book- How You Can Be Led By the Spirit of God by Kenneth E. Hagins.
At the end of this book reading, we will share how this book has helped us spiritually.
Don't miss the next edition on Wednesday.
Have a wonderful evening.
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