Gifts Strengthen the Body

 Job 39-40; 1 Corinthians 13-14 

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy…everyone who prophesies speaks to men [people] for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort…I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy…”

1 Corinthians 14:1, 3, 5

With love motivating all expressions of spiritual gifts, how does that influence the way prophecy is expressed?

Paul gave us three outcomes of prophecy that guide our nurture and discernment of the use of this spiritual gift. Prophecy is meant to build up the Body of Christ through strengthening, encouragement, and comfort. When we discern the Word of the Lord as those “looking through a glass darkly”, these three potential outcomes of prophecy guide us.

Are we asking the Lord and eagerly desiring spiritual gifts?

Are we discerning the appropriate use of prophetic expressions of the Spirit of God?

Are we growing in the love which is the sign of maturity in the life of a Christ-follower?

“Lord Jesus, strengthen the Body through the spiritual gifts in my life, for your glory.”