For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto
God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh
mysteries.But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation
and comfort. (I Corinthians 14:1-3)I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for
greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he
interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (I Corinthians 14:5)Wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
(I Corinthians 14:39)The Holy Spirit is always in control of true prophecy and directs attention to Jesus Christ:
Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as
ye were led.Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of
God calleth Jesus accursed; and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord,
but by the Holy Ghost. (I Corinthians 12:1-3)Prophecy is never to replace the written Word of God. The Bible says prophecy will cease, but
the Word of God abides forever:
...but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail... (I Corinthians 13:8)But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by
the gospel is preached unto you. (I Peter 1:25)The Bible warns of false prophets (Matthew 24:11,24; Mark 13:22). A person called "the false
prophet" will be evident in events at the end of the world (Revelation 13:11-17; 16:13; 19:20;
20:10).
Because there are false prophets, God's word provides several ways to identify true prophecies.
You can recognize them by:
- DOCTRINAL ERROR:
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether