Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV) The Apostle Paul says to “pursue love” and that some tools that can be useful in that pursuit of love are “spiritual gifts.” Of those spiritual gifts, Paul articulates that “prophesy” is something to be especially desired. Therefore we must ask ourselves, what exactly is meant by what Paul says. Prophesy isn’t predicting the future, so let’s get that out of our collective heads. I’m not saying that some Biblical prophesy didn’t predict the future; but I am saying that traditionally, the meaning of “prophesy” or “prophesying” encompasses much more than a fortune telling. In fact, prophesying has more to do with the equipping, encouraging and admonishing of people in your community. Especially, when done in the name of love, it is a powerful gift from God that allows people to systematically share and live lovingly within a framework of culture that often times is unloving. Here’s what I mean by that from verse 3 of this passage: “On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.” Every time we prophesy in love and in the name of God, we help people grow. We also help encourage them and provide comfort for their weariness. That is prophecy at its finest. Best of all, it’s not limited to only the professionally religious. It is a gift from the Holy Spirit to all of us if we ask for it. Prophesy is simply being a reflection of God’s wisdom into people’s lives in a meaningful way. Prophecy is revealing what God reveals lovingly. The strangeness is that we’d rather not be an instrument of development, encouragement and comfort. We’d rather just rip on people. I know what goes through our heads when we do this; we’re thinking one of two things: either that we’re better than the other person who just doesn’t get it; or we’re totally forgotten on the goodness other people’s prophesy had for us. Get this straight: prophesy is not a tool to tear down, it is for building up. It’s about time we hone ourselves to reveal God for this purpose. It’s time that all of us begin speaking prophesies into other people’s lives.