Summer 1986
The Creative Word
Wade E Taylor

"And my speech and my preaching was not with
enticing words of man's wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power" I Cor 2:4.

The Words I speak for the Lord must be anointed and contain spiritual value and purpose that is beyond mere intellectual comprehension. These words should have the "ring" of spiritual quality, and convey life, healing, and deliverance.

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of
the Spirit of God ... neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned" I Cor 2:14.

The Lord is looking for those who are willing to exchange their reliance on intellectual ability for a complete dependence on the operation of the Holy Spirit through them. To witness for the Lord is to speak the right word at the right time - a penetrating, anointed word that will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.

"We speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, the hidden..." I Cor 2:7.

In order to speak forth this creative word, we must become "prophetic." How then is this accomplished in our lives?

The key to the ministry of Jesus was His prophetic anointing as expressed in Isaiah 50:4. Notice the progression:

"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the
learned, that I should know how to speak a
word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth
morning by morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear
as the learned" Isa 50:4.

This ability to speak with "the tongue of the learned" is a gift (<I>The Lord God hath given<D>). We will have this ability to speak the right word (<I>that I should know how<D>), at the right time (<I>a Word in season<D>), to the right person (<I>to him that is weary<D>). The preparation for this prophetic enabling requires that we "<I>wait on the Lord<D>."

We must spend time in His presence each day (<I>He wakeneth morning by morning<D>) in order to cultivate this prophetic quality in our lives. To be "awakened" means to be lifted above the limitations of our natural sense of perception and understanding into the realm of the supernatural, as we are quickened by Him.

When we seem to fail or are distracted, we must not become discouraged, but continue to hold our "spirit" before the Lord in expectancy, that we might become more available and sensitive to Him. The Lord responds when we reach out toward Him. He will begin to anoint and bring us into an increasing degree of prophetic sensitivity and ability.

The Lord greatly desires a prophetic people. Moses said, "<I>Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them<D>!" Numbers 11:29. In Amos 2:12 13, the Lord also expresses this desire. "<I>But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, prophecy not. Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves<D>."

In other words, because the prophetic word was restricted, the Lord expressed Himself as being a "voice" that desired to speak but was suppressed. Thus, He felt pressed under the weight of a cart full of sheaves. This pictures the intense desire of the Lord to speak to His people.

John the Baptist became a voice for the Lord. He said, "<I>I am THE VOICE OF ONE crying<D>." John 1:23. Notice that John did not merely give a prophetic word; rather he BECAME "the voice of one crying." John did more than prophesy; he became prophetic.

There is a place of PROPHETIC IDENTITY with the Lord into which we are called to grow. "<I>That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings<D>." Phil 3:10. This particular "fellowship" speaks of a prophetic identity with the very heart and feelings of the Lord. We are to become vessels through which the Lord may express Himself as He desires. This involves our knowing the Lord beyond the realm of ministries and gifts.

THERE ARE FIVE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PROPHETIC
DEVELOPMENT IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.

1. Inner revelation.

The secret of becoming prophetic is expressed in Psalm 119:25.

"My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou
me according to Thy Word" Psalm 119:25.

We were formed from the dust. As dust, there is no order or structure in our lives to enable us to function in spiritual things. We need to be quickened, "<I>Quicken thou me according to thy Word<D>."

The word "quicken" means "life empowering." To be quickened is the first level of inner revelation, and comes by the Word of God, or through the moving of the Holy Spirit within us. He "wakeneth" morning by morning, and lifts us into this dimension of prophetic vision. We become spiritually sensitive, and our spiritual capacity is enlarged.

2. Our Testimony.

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles
of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of
the ability which God giveth ..." I Peter 4:11.

An oracle is a Divine communication. This means that our word must be a quickened word from the Lord, not our own word or thought. Words are understood by the image they convey. A true prophetic word goes beyond this mental image, and through the anointing imparts "spirit and life." It is not through the "letter of the word," but rather, through the anointing of the Holy Spirit that life is conveyed.

3. The Gift of Prophecy.

This gift is available to all.

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

The gift of prophecy has limitations in its purpose and use. The Scripture tells us that "<I>we prophesy in part<D>" (I Cor 13:9). Also, it is given for "<I>edification, exhortation, and comfort<D>" (I Cor 14:3); and not to give direction or to express judgment.

The gifts should edify the Body of Christ in an attitude of sacrificial love. We are to cultivate the presence of God, and then humble ourselves with no indication of any self-exaltation. The gifts should operate through a life of holiness, that Jesus Christ, not the vessel being used, will be seen.

"Desire spiritual <I>gifts<D>, but rather that ye
may prophesy" I Cor 14:1.

The word "gifts" is in italics, which means it was not in the original text. The correct interpretation should read, "Desire spirituals" or in other words, "desire the prophetic realm."

In this realm we are enabled to both see and speak prophetically. To do this, we must first edify ourselves by "waiting on the Lord," and by speaking in tongues as we are quickened by the Holy Spirit.

4. The Office of the Prophet.

The Lord needs prophets in our day. A "prophet" is one who speaks a specific word, in a specific place, at a specific time. He speaks in the stead of God as His mouthpiece.

The prophetic office is a limited ministry ("<I>are all prophets<D>?"), and distinctly different from the gift of prophecy. A true prophet has been disciplined by the Lord and is completely under His authority. The Lord chooses whom He will for this ministry. This is a very costly ministry.

Those who are called to this ministry must submit themselves to a life of discipline and guidance.

5. The Spirit of Prophecy.

"...for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit
of Prophecy" Rev 19:10.

This is the highest realm of prophecy and is motivated by "relationship" rather than by "gift." The gift of prophecy requires our being yielded to the Holy Spirit in order to function, but is not necessarily an indication of right living, as is the "Spirit of prophecy."

As we mature spiritually, our lives reflect a greater quality of spirit with its resultant expression that transcends the gift realm of ministry. The Spirit of Prophecy expresses a life that has become a witness unto Him (<I>not merely a witness for Him<D>). It goes beyond words and becomes a "demonstration of the Spirit and of power."

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as
in a mirror the Glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image..." II Cor 3:18 NKJ.

As we become one in union with Him, our lives act as a mirror that reflects the person and the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy, can be both seen and heard through us as we "mirror" Him.

The Lord desires to bring His people into this ministry in our day. It will develop through those who have such a quality relationship with Him that through them, the very life and intent of the Lord will be reflected. This requires a people who are pure, holy, transparent, and who know the heart of the Lord and His desires.

This will do away with all religious confusion. There will come forth in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, "<I>The testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy<D>" as a clear creative force that will bring life and order to the Church.