The Prophetic Gifting: Hearing and Sharing God’s Heart With His People

The prophetic gifting involves a direct word from God, heard clearly and simply. When you think of the prophetic gifting, think of John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” with his ear to the heart of Jesus. True prophets bring insight, wisdom, and direction to others. If you have the prophetic gifting, you hear from God quickly and clearly. When you worship or pray, you get words, visions, maybe even dreams.

Some people have this spiritual gifting naturally, and this grace is especially upon them, but we all have the ability to prophesy. Even if the prophetic grace isn’t one of your top three, there will be times in your life where you are increasing in this grace, and for that reason, it is important to understand it.

Prophets build others up by sharing the word of their King. They tell the people in the Church what God is presently and personally saying to them so that they receive and believe it.

And when it comes to the prophetic gifting, there are a few important things to note…

1. God wants people with the prophetic gifting to share with others what He has said.

Revelation 2:7, “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.”

This part of the body is vital, and this verse tells us that we actually have a responsibility to share with others what God is putting on our hearts. You may be tempted to keep the things God tells you to yourself, but God often prompts us to boldly share these things. It is often the case that when I am the most afraid to share a word with someone, they tell me that they really needed to hear it!

You have been given these spiritual gifts so that you can give them to other people. The enemy doesn’t want your spiritual brothers and sisters to be strengthened, encouraged, or comforted by God’s personal and direct word to them. And that’s exactly why you must share it.

2. Spiritual gifts are important, but they aren’t everything.

Loving people is still more powerful, impactful, and important than any spiritual gift. 

“If I could speak all the languages of Earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” - 1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Oftentimes we get praise or recognition for a spiritual gift, but anyone who wears their spiritual gifts proudly, like a badge of honor, is missing the point. Knowing that our first priority is to put others first, love them, and help them is what truly makes a difference. It’s important to remember that it’s really not about us.

3. Prophets listen first, and then they speak.

I used to think prayer was about talking to God or asking Him to do the things that you wanted him to. When I became a Christian, I realized that prayer is actually humble surrender to His will, and most of my prayers are me asking God to have His way. Prophecy and prayer go hand in hand; it is through prayer that we hear what God has to say.

Prophets are meant to be God’s voice to His people. They spend their time sharing what God has said and amplifying His voice over their own. And before they say a word, they are first listening to the Father to hear what He has to say.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” - John 10:27-28

As long as we are doing that, we will not only be able to hear God clearly for ourselves, but we will be providing trustworthy guidance to others. 

~Josephine Yarlott, Worthy Content Writer