The value of prophetic insight

1 Cor 14

3 But a person who has the gift of prophecy teaches in a way that builds up the community, draws them near, and comforts them.

Paul talks about the limitations of the gift of prophetic insight into the will of God and His ways and the things of the Spiritual world in 1 Cor 13. For when the Kingdom of God comes in fullness, that which 'revealed in part' will be done away with. 1 cor 13 v 2 What if I have the gift of prophecy, am blessed with 'knowledge and insight to all the mysteries', or what if my faith is strong enough to scoop a mountain from its bedrock, yet I live without love? If so, I am nothing.

Then he then goes back in 1 Cor 14 to re-establish the value of the prophetic word. In this chapter he places value on the prophetic word more than the teaching gift.

If I may paraphrase his thoughts on the matter, it would be this – that Love is to be the over-riding spirit of all believers. In that Spirit of Love, God’s people should seek to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, to perceive and penetrate into the Spiritual world – where God reigns, to understand God’s will and act on God’s will and to reveal his will in this world through obedience. God’s people should, through much prayer in tongues endeavor to uncover the solidness of God’s will, and through spirit-taught and spirit-led words, draw people to the heart of God.

The prophetic gift and prophetic words are a penetrating Gift. It is penetrating insight into God’s heart. It is the ability to sense what the Spirit of God desires, it is insight into the heart of Jesus and the Father. Speaking out this revealed insight releases empowerment to the people of God to follow the leading of the Spirit of God.

Why is this gift so important in the Church? Because of darkness which surrounds us and the confusion of living in this murky world day by day. Spiritual vision and insight is only important when you can’t see where you are going and are lost in confusion. It is precisely this which Paul is hinting at in 1 cor 13 – “now I only see dimly in a murky mirror.” Life is like that. Life on earth has a way of obscuring God’s will and heart for our lives. Many believers have no idea where they are going in God’s Spirit. if you don’t know where you are going, then you will be easily discouraged and dissuaded off course. Without prophetic insight, people go astray. They cast of their restraint. But people who know the objectives that God has set for their lives are able to endure and press towards it.

Prophetic insight gives people that clarity, and releases that endurance to press towards the outcomes which God has declared. ’Yes I want this situation to be redeemed, my will be revealed in this situation, continue to press forward in faith for this’. Clarity and certainty of what God wants is of great value, it releases faith in us when we perceive the heart of God towards a matter, when God has spoken clearly to us about a situation we can handle it with much confidence without being blown off course.

It seems that the main way into prophetic insight is prayer, especially praying in the spirit.

1 Cor 14:4, 13-15

4 Those who speak in an unknown language only strengthen themselves…

13 So anyone who speaks in an unknown language should pray for the ability to interpret …15 What do I do then? I pray. I pray with my spirit but also with my mind engaged; I sing with my spirit but also with my mind engaged.

Prophetic teaching is defined by specific and penetrating insight, and is of a different value from the teaching gift which teaches the application of the general principles of God’s word.

Prophetic teachings contain the authority of God’s voice, towards his people and are a direct communication of His heart towards people. It carries with it the power and authority of God. It is the open invitation, the voice of God calling for alignment and  obedience to His present moment directive for any particular person. In the spirit it is a weighty, heavy and powerful thing. With a prophetic message the grace and power of God is released to people to come into line with God’s kingdom and will. It releases repentance for people to walk close to God where they have gone astray, and alignment back to His will where they have gone off tangent. An accurate prophetic word reveals the awesomeness of God, the depths and width and breadth, the wisdom and majesty of God. That’s why Paul says seek the prophetic gifts above all other gifts to build up the church.

Prophetic gifts are penetrating into situations and people. “The secret sins of people are revealed”. In the seeing of the Holy Spirit, who is the spirit of truth, people’s hearts are uncovered. The prophet speaks a piercing of God’s truth into the heart and causes the kingdom of God to be directly experienced by people. God sees the true nature of all things, cutting through the misdirection and confusion which is so prevalent in life. To treat a disease, the most important part of medical science is correct diagnosis. God is the holder of all mysteries and all dark secrets are as plain as day to Him so if you want to know how to handle a perplexing situation or know the truth of a matter why not ask Him for prophetic insight?

We should value the insight of God, and cherish the leading of the Holy Spirit, Paul says seek insight of God's will among all the other gifts of God so that as a people you can draw close to Him and walk in His will. Be willing to live in full obedience to everything He shows us for it is in that way that we can live and move in the power of the Holy Spirit and be aligned to his heart and will for our lives.

Might i add that prophetic insight determines tactical priorities and helps us to understand what God is saying and helps us to determine that which is most essential versus that which is good have and do, at different seasons and times -'spiritual gift of wisdom'. Doing those things he says will yield the most fruit rather than getting distracted on other priorities. Refer to mary vs martha. Fruitful and spirit led versus activity without insight. Thats why the church needs more prophets again for it is the foundation of the prophets and apostles which build the church not the teachers/pastors. According to Ephesians. IMHO most ministries are led by teacher pastors who create an environment of distracted service without spiritual and mighty fruitfulness. I myself am waiting for when God's prophets arise to take back the leadership pole of the people and will follow as He directs.