The Purpose of Prophecy
When we compare Isaiah 6:5-7 and Jeremiah 1:9, we see there is a purification of speech that must come to God’s people and especially those who walk in the realm of the prophetic. In order for God to use us as a mouthpiece, He has to touch our mouth first.
- Isa 6:5-8 – Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.Then flew one of the seraphim’s unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
- Jer 1:9 – “Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me,Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.”
One of the earliest lessons we must internalize as new believers is to learn how to speak faith-filled words based on the Word of God that brings life and not death. As we go through our own spiritual boot camp so to speak, God trains us how to talk His kingdom language. We learn early on that we will be bound by the words we speak out ofour mouths either for good or bad.
In light of this, 1 Corinthian’s 14:3 is a call to the prophesier that his role is to edify, exhort, and comfort and nothing more. When we are led to minister “The Word of the Lord,” we must always choose our words cautiously and lovingly. We speak them with utter kindness, tenderness and grace.
- Psa 142:7says: “Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass meabout; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.”
In other words, those that prophesy must not stand with a club to beat, or a rod to whip. He that prophesies has a cord in his mouth that grabs the soul of an individual and pulls them up into a higher place in God.
With this in mind, let us look at the definition of these three important words from Merriam Webster Dictionary’spoint of view.
- Edify- To build, establish, uplift, enlighten, and to inform
- Synonyms :To illuminate, inspire, nurture, enrich
- Exhortation – To try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
- Synonyms:To egg on, to nudge ahead, to prod and to press on
- Comfort – To bring a feeling of ease to a place of comfort.
- Synonyms: To cheer, bring gladness, to help, reassurance
This is what the Lord had in mind when He released us to prophesy to His people. Let us always strive to doexactly that.
Love,
Dr. Ric & Kathy Steele