I was first introduced to the gifts of the spirit – including the gift of prophecy – in 1984. I spent the next 15 years in the Charismatic movement. It was more than a great time, it changed my life, it changed my theology, it changed the way I walked with God. It even changed how I expressed that relationship.

One of the most prominent parts of the Charismatic movement was the introduction and proliferation of the gift of prophecy. It is one of 9 gifts given by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7-10). I have received many prophetic words (the fruit of the gift of prophecy) and given many prophetic words in my life. This gift has been a constant source of blessing to me as 1 Corinthians 14:3 says it should, “But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.”

I have noticed that the prophetic words that God is giving to me from others and those that I am giving myself are undergoing a change. The best way that I can describe it is they are encouraging people towards maturity. I have listed below 4 ways I see that the words are encouraging maturity in people.

1. Moving from just blessings to an emphasis on building. It is showing our responsibility in advancing kingdom principles in our lives and others (Matt. 16:18, 24-25).

2. Moving from just an emphasis on an individual’s call to an individual’s place within the local church. It is showing our part in the greater whole.

3. Moving from Survival to Strength. This is moving from an emphasis of settling to an emphasis of expansion. The goal is for people to become a pillar in God’s work.

4. Emphasize on Obedience that leads to Maturity. The Holy Spirit is expecting us to obey and ask for direction on how to carry out the prophetic words that we get. We are not to accumulate them like good luck charms, but to use them as sources of strength and confirmation to continue to run the race with excellence (Psalms 119:14-16).

I am encouraged by the changes in direction I am seeing. It means that our God is maturing His church and growing us up!

Prophecy On Holy Spirit!