Purpose of the Prophetic

In a church on one side of a town, a prophet walks through the congregation.

God draws his attention to a woman in the back row and reveals that she lives with many men and is addicted to drugs. The prophet points to her and says, “You are living in fornication, and you are a drug addict! Repent!”

God then draws the prophet’s attention to a businessman in the front row. God reveals that the man cheats his employees and clients, and lies to his friends. The prophet points to him and says, “You have lied to everyone in your life! Your lies have made you rich and given you prestige. Repent!”

In a church on the other side of the town, another prophet walks through the congregation.

God draws his attention to a woman in the back row and reveals that she lives with many men and is addicted to drugs. The prophet asks God, “Why?” God gives him the answer and then the prophet speaks. “Young lady, it broke God’s heart when you were wronged at the age of ten. He was there, with you. He knows the pain that you bear and that it has controlled your life. He knows that you try to stop that pain. He wants you to know that He loves you. That His heart is breaking to heal you and to remove the pain of those memories. Father wants to say to you, “Come to me. Find your healing and life in Me. I love you, My daughter and I want you to be with Me forever.” The woman wept and gave her life to Jesus. In that short word through the prophet, she knew that God was there when she was raped and she realized that God loves her and that His Son paid the price for her healing.

God then draws the prophet’s attention to a businessman in the front row. God reveals that the man cheats his employees and clients, and lies to his friends. The prophet asks God for more insight. God gives him more information and then the prophet speaks. “Sir, when you were in your mother’s womb, God gave you a talent to generate great wealth to help spread His Word across the earth. Our Heavenly Father wants to say to you, “Son, your earthly father was not there for you during your successes and failures. Your father was not there to give you acknowledgment, significance, and love. But, I want you to know that I am here and I am with you. I want to acknowledge you, give you the significance, and love that your heart cries for. Let Me work in the talent that I gave you and help Me reach the many lost souls that need to hear about My Son.” Those words penetrated deeply into the man’s heart and he realized that everything he did was for the approval of man and to impress man with his riches. He immediately repented and received the healing he so badly needed.

This story illustrates two different approaches a person can take when God reveals sin in another person’s life. The first prophet told the entire congregation the sins that the woman and the man were practicing. Both the woman and the man were already well aware of that fact already. So, all that this prophet did was to tell everyone else the failures of those two people and, by doing that, made them feel like God is simply out to “get them”, to embarrass them, and to condemn them.

The second prophet brought what both of those people needed most: hope. Although there are times when sin needs to be exposed, much more often than not, struggling people need hope. They need to know that their Heavenly Father loves them so much that He is aware of every detail of their life. That He wants to heal the areas that make them weak and open them up to sin. That He wants to heal the wound, not just apply a bandage. That His mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). That Jesus came so that they would have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). And, as illustrated in the story, it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

When God speaks to us about another person, it is not for the purpose of spiritual gossip. While He may show us some very ugly things about someone else, we must be guided by the Holy Spirit and self-control—we do not need to repeat everything that we hear. 

In his book, The Coming Prophetic Revolution, Jim Goll lists seven purposes for the present prophetic ministry:

Edification

To build up the church: “…but he who prophesies edifies the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:4)

Exhortation

To encourage others on to love and do good works (But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort—1 Corinthians 14:3).

Comfort

To speak words of comfort with tenderness and care in our times of need (But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort—1 Corinthians 14:3). 

Conviction and Convincing

To illuminate the heart condition of the non-believer and/or the Christian who is unlearned and uninitiated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The purpose is to reveal sin but with a heart to bring repentance and reconciliation. (1 Corinthians 14:24–25, But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!") 

Instruction and Learning

The gift of prophesy reveals the mind and heart of God and gives us new understandings of His Word. (1 Corinthians 14:31, For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.)

Gift Impartation

A spiritual gift can be imparted to another person through a prophetic word. (1 Timothy 4:15–15, Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.)

Testimony of and from Jesus

One of the ways Jesus is revealed to us is through the gift of prophesy. (Revelation 19:10, At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.")

(This topic is discussed further in the Ears-2-Hear Teachings.)