'You Can Hear God In Your Native Language-The Gift Of Prophesying' (September 12, 2008); Christian Ministry Articles & Teachings

"You Can Hear God In Your Native Language -
The Gift Of Prophesying"
(September 14, 2008)

1 Corinthians 14:31 teaches us, "For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged." NKJV

As you may know, "Prophesying" {with an s} is one of the only two ways in which God speaks to, and through, His children. He either "prophesies", that is, speaks their native language or tongue to, and through, them, or He speaks in "tongues": various languages, also refereed to as the language of men and angels. One must be in Christ Jesus and His one Spiritual Church and Body to receive any, or all, of the Spiritual gifts.

"Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe." [1 Cor 14:22; NKJV]

We hear God our Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in order to have a more intimate relationship with God, and thus hear God’s continual love, guidance, opinions and judgements rather than our own. In essence, what we say is not near as important as what God says to us. Our goal should be to HEAR and LISTEN TO GOD’S VOICE, rather than "TALK AT HIM".

All Who Have Confessed Christ Jesus As Lord Have Heard The Holy Spirit Speak Through Them At Least Once...

[1 Cor 12:3] Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. NKJV

Jesus Christ Himself Baptizes You In The Holy Spirit...

[Matt 3:11] I {John the Baptist} indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. NKJV

[John 1:29-34] "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water. And John bore witness {gave testimony}, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." NKJV

The Gift Of Prophesying Explained:

[Acts 2:14-28] "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy ,Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.'

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know — Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him:

'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'" NKJV

Notice, above, that though "visions", "dreams" and "prophesy" are listed as promised gifts, "tongues", or various languages, is not mentioned at all. God our Father did however promise, through both Joel and Peter, that He would pour out His Spirit, and that His people would "prophesy". In fact, the only two gifts listed twice by God Almighty are the "pouring out of the Spirit who is holy" and "prophesying". "Prophesying", of course, comes through the "pouring out" of God our Father’s promised Spirit.

We see however, that God did speak through the disciples in "tongues" {various languages/tongues} on the day of Pentecost. For some, the verse that suggests the gift of speaking in "tongues" is mentioned as Peter quotes David, saying "my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad".

Of interest is the fact that one hundred and twenty disciples, both men and women <Acts 1:13-15>, spoke in "tongues" as all the bystanders heard God’s message through the disciples in their, the bystanders, own language.

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs — we hear them speaking in our own tongues {native language/native tongue} the wonderful works {praise} of God." So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" [Acts 2:5-12; NKJV]

Recently, God has revealed to me that all of the listed "gifts" in the Bible are maintained under His authority through His voice; and all but "tongues", or speaking in various languages, is spoken actually as He "prophesies" through us: revelation, knowledge, prophecy, a Word, interpretation, teaching etc, and even healing.

Because Peter quoted Joel from the Old Testament, I feel free to examine the definition of "prophesying" in both the Old and New Testament. "Prophesy" in the Old Testament Hebrew is defined in Strong’s Concordance of the Bible as:

"Prophesy": Old Testament:

OT:5012 naba' ... to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or (1)simple discourse)". (New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.)

(1) "simple discourse": American Heritage Dictionary defines "discourse" as "Verbal expression in speech or writing. Verbal exchange; conversation... The process or power of reasoning... To engage in conversation or discussion; converse... To give forth (musical sounds); perform..."

Understanding this, we know that "prophesy" in the Old Testament can be referring to "prediction", or the foretelling of future events, which is most often called "prophecy" {with a C}. It can also mean, according to the definition, any utterance by the Holy Spirit that can be commonly understood. For example, any spiritual utterance in your native language/tongue as opposed to various foreign languages, or "tongues". God’s utterances manifest through us via speaking, writing and, or, singing.

"Prophesy": New Testament: Strong’s Concordance of the Bible defines "prophesy" in the New Testament Greek as:

NT:4394 propheteia... from NT:4396 ("prophecy"); prediction (scriptural or other):

NT:4396 prophetes... from a compound of NT:4253 and NT:5346; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet: KJV - prophet {a prophet delivers the message in your native tongue/language most often, and Old Testament prophets taught as well as foretold events in their native tongue/language.}

NT:5346 phemi ... the same as the base of NT:5457 and NT:5316; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. speak or say".

NT:5457 phos ... (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays... luminousness...: KJV - fire, light.

(New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.)

In the New Testament, according to the definition above, one who "prophesies" foretells future events as God inspires, or speaks through, their hearts and mouths. However, prophesying, according to Strong’s Concordance, also includes anything God speaks/utters in the speaker’s and, or, listeners’ native tongue or language to make His thoughts known. In all cases, within Christ’s Kingdom, these believers are inspired by God to speak, sing or write His Word, love, thoughts, opinions and judgments.

"Prophecy" {with a C}: Strong’s Concordance of the Bible.

(Please notice, that in the New Testament, the words
"prophecy" and "prophesy" are one in the same word.)

Old Testament: The word "prophecy" is sparingly used, and varies in definition; but always means a "prophet" or "inspired man". In either case God’s message was delivered in the speakers and listeners, in this case Hebrew’s, own tongue/language.

New Testament:

NT: 4394 propheteia...; from NT:4396 ("prophecy"); prediction (scriptural or other): KJV - prophecy, prophesying. NT: 4396 prophetes...; from a compound of NT:4253 and NT:5346; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet: KJV - prophet.

(New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.)

Revelations 19:10 tells us: "And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me,’See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren {brothers} who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy {prophesying}." Because "prophesy" and "prophecy" are one in the same word in the New Testament we know that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of "Prophesying" as well as "Prophecy":

All gifts are manifested as God decides to reveal something to mankind and, or, His people. It is all delivered through a human being or an angel as God speaks or sings through their mouth and, or, writes through their hand. God speaks to us at home, in the shower, while we are taking a walk, in the office, in our car, in the building we refer to as church on Sunday...in order to edify, exhort and comfort us: both individually and as His one Body of believers both in Heaven and on Earth.

Obviously, as God prophesies through His chosen speaker He speaks in the speakers and, or, listeners’ native language in "simple discourse, speech or conversation" so that He can be clearly understood. Both the Hebrew and Greek definition of ‘prophesy’ agree. In order to simplify this teaching, I have inserted the Hebrew definition in the following New Testament verses.

[1 Cor 14:1-4] Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy . For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men {as the Holy Spirit speaks through him}. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church".

With the Hebrew definition in mind, 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 can be read: "Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy, which is to speak, sing or write under the inspiration of God in prediction and/or simple speech or conversation in a language those present can understand. For he who speaks in a language that is not acquired naturally (tongues) does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him {but God}; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies is speaking, singing or writing under the inspiration of God in prediction and/or simple speech or conversation in a language that those present can understand; and this person speaks edification, exhortation and comfort to men, including themselves. He who speaks in a language that is not acquired naturally (tongues) edifies himself, but he who speaks, sings or writes under God’s inspiration in prediction and/or simple speech or conversation in a language that those present can understand, ‘prophesies’, and therefore edifies the/{all members in Christ’s one } church, {including themselves.}"

[1 Cor 14:5-6] I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? NKJV

Again, using the Hebrew Old Testament definition of "prophesy", 1 Corinthians 14:5-6 can be read as follows: "I wish you all spoke with "tongues", a language that is not acquired naturally, but even more that you {all} prophesied, which is to speak, sing or write under God’s inspiration in prediction and/or simple speech or conversation in a language those present can understand; for he who prophesies, or speaks, sings or writes under God’s inspiration in prediction and/or simple speech or conversation in a language those present can understand, is greater than he who speaks with "tongues", or a language that is not acquired naturally, unless indeed he interprets {a form of "prophesying" because you hear God in your own native language or tongue}, that the church may receive edification. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with "tongues", or a language that is not acquired naturally, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation {must be given thru "prophesying", in your own language, so that you/all can understand}, by knowledge {must be given thru "prophesying", in your own language, so that you/all can understand}, by prophesying, which is to speak, sing or write by God’s inspiration in prediction and/or simple speech or conversation in a language those present can understand, or by teaching {must be given thru "prophesying", in your own language, so that you/all can understand}? NKJV

In the past, many have believed that these verses, and ones like them, are referring to the believers only as they gather within each individual congregation and/or church building. However, we are all members in Christ’s one Spiritual church from the day we receive Christ and His baptism into the Holy Spirit. As 1 Corinthians 14:31 teaches us "For you can all prophesy one by one".

You Are A Member In Christ’s One Spiritual Church...
All believers are members in Christ’s one spiritual Church; and each stone, or child, in His Church is to grow continually so that they can "edify, exhort and comfort" as the Holy Spirit leads them.

[Eph 1:22-23] And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. NKJV

[Eph 5:23-24] For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is Head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. NKJV

[Col 1:18] And He is the Head of the body, the church , who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. NKJV

Prophesying Is Not A New Gift Just For Today’s Christian...
Neither the voice of the Holy Spirit nor the "gift of prophesying" was new on the Christian Day of Pentecost. What was new? The INDWELLING of God’s Holy Spirit within EACH BELIEVER SO THAT ALL could, for the first time, experience the "Spiritual gifts" promised by our Father. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit, for the most part, spoke only through God’s holy Prophets and the Law.

[Jude 14-15] Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam , prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." NKJV

[Matt 15:7-9] Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" NKJV

[Matt 11:13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. NKJV

[Luke 22:63-65] Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy ! Who is the one who struck You?" And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him. NKJV

[Rev 10:11] And he said to me {Apostle John}, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. NKJV

[Rev 11:3-6] And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. NKJV

The Holy Spirit Speaks In Our Native Language/Tongue...

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe." [John 6:63-64]

[Ezek 3:24] Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and spoke with me and said to me: "Go, shut yourself inside your house. NKJV

[Ezek 11:5-6] Then the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said to me, "Speak! 'Thus says the LORD: "Thus you have said , O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind. NKJV

[Acts 8:29] Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." NKJV

[Acts 10:19-20] While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them." NKJV

[Acts 13:2-3] As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said ,"Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. NKJV

[Acts 21:11] When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" NKJV

You Can Prophesy; We All Can Prophesy As The Holy Spirit Speaks Through Us In Our Native Tongue/Language...

[1 Cor 14:24-25] But if all prophesy , and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. NKJV

[1 Cor 14:31] "For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged."

All In Christ Are To Walk and Worship In the Spirit...
As we hear God’s Spiritual voice we truly begin to walk and worship in the Spirit. We begin to rely on Him to lead us into all the Truth regarding all things, including our "self". When we pass from earth into God’s eternal life, our flesh is buried, and it is our Spirit filled spirit-man that rises. We receive God’s promise of a new body: "And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of {Christ’s} righteousness {given to you}. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. [Rom 8:10-11; NKJV].

We prepare for our eternal spiritual life by walking and worshiping in the Spirit while on earth; and it is the voice of the Spirit, and our submission and obedience to God’s internal eternal voice, that causes us to experience our eternal Spiritual life now. God Himself is Spirit.

[Rom 8:1-4] There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit . For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." NKJV

[Gal 5:16-17] I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. NKJV

[John 4:23-24] But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

[Phil 3:3] For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. NKJV

[Rom 2:28-29] For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. NKJV

Please notice that Romans 2:29 says that our praise is not from men but from God: "whose praise is not from men but from God". Christ’s Spirit, within us, praises God our/your Father as He speaks through our/your mouth. This is called by some, including myself "high praise" because it is the highest form of praise you can offer your Father. You must be in the Spirit when offering this praise, because it is God’s Holy Spirit that speaks through you. This is the "sacrifice of our lips" that pleases God:

[Hos 14:1-2] Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; take words with you, and return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. NKJV

[Heb 13:15-16] Therefore BY HIM {Jesus Christ thru the Spirit} let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. NKJV

[Isa 57:17-19] And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. "I CREATE THE FRUIT of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," Says the LORD, "And I will heal him {spiritually and physically}." NKJV

[Prov 18:20-21] A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. DEATH AND LIFE are in the (1)POWER of the tongue... NKJV

(1) "the POWER of the tongue":
[Acts 1:8] But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." NKJV

[Rom 1:3-5] concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. NKJV

[1 Cor 2:4-5] And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power , 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. NKJV

[1 Thess 1:5] For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power , and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. NKJV

Be Sure and Read Our:
Hear God Speak and Write To You - GUIDELINES

If you would like to print this and share it with your brothers and sisters in Christ, or the world, please feel free to do so. However, I ask that you always leave my name on the messages God writes through me; and never sell them. Thank you so much for your love.

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