Is prophecy the native language of the saints?
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men 1 Corinthians 14.3 (NKJV)
Paul says that of all the spiritual gifts, we should seek to prophesy (v. 1).
This word is addressed to all the believers in Corinth, and not just to the shepherds of the church. All believers should seek to prophesy. Indeed, prophecy is the native tongue of the faithful (v. 22).
In verse 3, Paul tells us why. They prophesy who speak edification and exhortation and comfort to others. We must learn to build up our brethren, and to bring encouragement and comfort to them with our words.
This is the true spirit of prophecy, and it's not difficult to see why every believer must seek this gift. If all our conversations and all uses of our tongues were robed in the garments of prophecy, how different would be our lives together in the church and in the world. We would always strive to build others up, to encourage them in the Lord and His work, to remind them of God's salvation, to enlarge on that salvation and urge them on to know more of it; we would affirm and strengthen and embolden others with our words, and open new insights to God and His Word.
We prophesy when our words are easy to understand (v. 9), and we should keep in mind the need to edify the entire church (v. 12).
Words of thanksgiving also edify and thus are a manifestation of this gift (vv. 16, 17). The focus of such speech should be mainly on those who can receive it unto edification, that is, our fellow believers (v. 22). At the same time, we should expect such speaking to work conviction in the hearts of those who do not believe (v. 24), because the secret inclinations of their own hearts will be exposed (v. 25).
When we are prophesying, we must not seek to dominate the conversation, but leave space for all to speak (v. 31).
This is a spiritual gift, a work of God's Spirit in those who possess it; nevertheless, we must work to develop and use this gift appropriately, making sure that our own spirits - mind, heart, and conscience – are bent to the service of edification, and not merely of boasting (v. 32).
We must desire earnestly to prophesy, for this is a crucial resource for building-up believers and the Body of Christ (v. 39). The focus of all such speech will be Jesus Christ, and His many excellencies, for “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19.10; cf. also Acts 13.15ff).
And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions. Joel 2.28 (NKJV)