Written by Mike Snow

Read: 1 Corinthians 14:1-3

Before we dive in, let this settle in your heart: you are not disqualified from the Prophetic. You don’t need the title of Pastor, a platform, or a lifetime of spiritual experience to hear God speak. He is not distant, and His voice is not reserved for a select few. If you have ever wondered whether God would even speak to someone like you, take comfort: He already has, and He still does!

In 1 Corinthians 14:3, Paul writes that “the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” Prophecy is the divine communication of God’s will through the Holy Spirit to His people. It is meant for the edification, exhortation, and consolation of the church, which simply means it serves to build our faith, draw us closer to God, and to offer us comfort and encouragement.

Edification stems from the Greek word oikodome (pronounced oy-kod-om-ay), which means “the building of the house.” Edification builds up and strengthens our faith, character, and spiritual maturity. The God who holds supreme power and authority over the entire universe takes time to speak directly to us! That alone builds our faith in Him and in our identity as His children.

Exhortation means to strongly urge, encourage, or call someone to action. In prophecy, exhortation is God speaking to draw us closer to Himself. A “word” from God can help us understand Him better by revealing the Father’s heart. It can also help us understand who He created us to be and what He is calling us toward.

Consolation speaks specifically to our intimacy with God. It’s the proximity of God to us; it helps us feel seen in a way we long to be seen. It is this closeness of Jesus that brings comfort and encouragement even in the darkest seasons. One of the Holy Spirit’s favorite things is to reveal Jesus to those who follow Him. That revelation brings peace, hope, and reassurance.

Keep in mind that prophecy flows through imperfect people, and because it is filtered through human beings, its delivery may be imperfect. This is why the Apostle Paul tells us we are to test every word of prophecy (1 Thes. 5:20-21) by taking it to God’s written word. A genuine word from God will never contradict Scripture, and it will always point us towards Jesus.

So how do we know we can hear Him? Think back for a moment. If you are reading this, you likely felt a “nudge” in your spirit at some point to surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Well, that nudge was the Holy Spirit! Likewise, have you ever had a random thought about someone you hadn’t seen in years, only to hear from them days later? That too was likely God. We can all hear Him speak, but most of us just haven’t recognized or practiced listening yet. Now that you do, lean in! He has so much He wants to share with you and those around you!