The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not given for personal gain or self-promotion, but to glorify God and serve one another in love. When the church earnestly seeks the authentic gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy, it is for the strengthening, encouragement, and consolation of the whole body. True spiritual gifts are meant to build up the church, not to make individuals look good or to be used selfishly. Each believer is called to desire these gifts with the right motives, seeking to edify others and honor God above all. [03:31]
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 (ESV)
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
Reflection: In what specific way can you use your gifts today to serve and build up someone else in your church family, rather than seeking recognition for yourself?
Prophecy is not just about sharing pleasant or comforting words; it is a gift that can include constructive instruction, correction, and a call to action, as well as tender consolation. The purpose is to help create a dwelling fit for the King—lives and a church that are ready for Christ’s presence. Sometimes, true love means being willing to risk discomfort or offense in order to bring a needed warning or challenge, always motivated by a desire for the other’s best. The Holy Spirit leads us to discern when to encourage, when to correct, and when to comfort, so that prophecy truly builds up the body in truth and love. [10:39]
1 Corinthians 14:3 (ESV)
On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
Reflection: Is there someone God is prompting you to encourage, correct, or comfort today? How can you seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to speak truth in love to them?
There are several things that can hinder the flow of the Holy Spirit’s gifts among us: not asking, asking with selfish motives, doubting God’s willingness or power, and harboring unforgiveness. God calls us to examine our hearts, repent of sin, and approach Him with humility and faith. When we ask for spiritual gifts, our motives should be to glorify God and serve others, not to satisfy our own desires. Faith is essential—believing that God will answer and release His gifts. Unforgiveness can block our prayers, so we must forgive others as God has forgiven us. [23:26]
James 4:2-8 (ESV)
You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Reflection: Is there any area of selfishness, doubt, or unforgiveness in your heart that you need to bring before God today so that nothing hinders the Spirit’s work in and through you?
Every believer is entrusted with spiritual gifts, but these gifts must be stirred up and put to use. Like a fire that needs to be rekindled, the gifts of the Spirit can grow dim if neglected or left unused. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound judgment. We are called to step out in faith, overcome hesitation, and actively use the gifts God has given us for the benefit of others and the glory of His name. [24:33]
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Reflection: What is one spiritual gift you sense God has given you that you have neglected or been afraid to use? How can you take a step to “fan it into flame” this week?
God is always at work, offering gifts and opportunities for us to partner with Him. Sometimes we miss what He is doing because we are looking in the wrong direction, distracted, or hesitant to act. Like a dog watching the master’s hand, we are called to keep our eyes on Jesus, discern where He is moving, and respond quickly and obediently. When God gives a prompting or a word, it is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be shared and released for the blessing of others. [26:36]
John 5:19 (ESV)
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
Reflection: How can you intentionally watch for where God is moving today, and what is one way you can respond in faith and obedience when He prompts you to act?
The pursuit of the authentic gifts of the Holy Spirit is a journey that requires both hunger and humility. Many have either dismissed the gifts as relics of the past or have settled for a shallow imitation that lacks true spiritual impact. Yet, Scripture calls us to something deeper—a church where the gifts, especially prophecy, are released in a way that glorifies God and serves one another in love. The gifts are not for personal gain or self-promotion; they are entrusted to us so that we might build up the body of Christ, creating a dwelling fit for the King.
Prophecy, as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 14, is not merely about offering kind or encouraging words. Its purpose is threefold: to strengthen (oikodome), to encourage or urge (paraklesis), and to comfort (paramythea). Strengthening involves constructive instruction or even criticism, helping to shape us into a people where Christ can dwell richly. Encouragement often carries a call to action, urging us to respond to God’s leading. Comfort brings tender consolation, releasing us from shame and restoring confidence in God’s love. True prophecy requires discernment and courage, as it sometimes means delivering a warning or correction, not just affirmation.
Authentic prophetic ministry is marked by order, humility, and accountability. Paul instructs that prophetic words should be weighed and evaluated, not simply accepted without question. The Holy Spirit does not override our will but seeks partnership with those willing to listen and obey. For the gifts to flow freely, we must address the barriers that hinder their release: not asking, asking with selfish motives, doubting, and harboring unforgiveness. Repentance, faith, and a willingness to receive and act on what God gives are essential.
God is eager to release His gifts among us, but He looks for those who are attentive to His hand, ready to receive, and willing to share what they have been given. Like a dog chasing after a ball, we are called to pursue the gifts, keep our eyes on the Giver, and faithfully deliver what we receive to others. The invitation is open: to fan into flame the gifts within us, to believe that God will move, and to step out in faith for the building up of His church.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 24-33 (ESV) — 1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. ... 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. ... 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
James 4:2-3, 6-8 (ESV) — 2 You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. ... 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV) — 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
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