I want to encourage you: if you have been given the gift of prophecy, use it boldly and faithfully. Yes, trials will come, but remember that you are not alone. God is with you, and His Word will not return empty. The trials you face are part of the journey toward expanding His Kingdom and helping others encounter the transformative power of His truth.
[00:00:37] Welcome to The Bible Speaks with your host Elgin Carelock. The Bible Speaks is a daily
[00:00:44] podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, rightly dividing the word
[00:00:50] of truth and learning how to apply it to our daily lives. You may contact Elgin at the
[00:00:57] address given at the end of the broadcast. And now here's Elgin.
[00:01:02] Brothers and sisters I welcome you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
[00:01:09] to another edition of Words of Inspiration where we explore God's Word and how it equips us
[00:01:17] to live out our purpose. And today we are continuing in our series Spiritual Gifts, Gifts of Grace.
[00:01:28] Today's episode is titled Truth Leads to Trials and it's inspired by Romans 12 verses 6 through
[00:01:38] 8 where Paul describes the gift of prophecy among the spiritual gifts. So let's take a moment
[00:01:46] to read the key passage. We have different gifts according to grace given to each of us. If your
[00:01:54] gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith. If it is serving, then serve. If it
[00:02:03] is teaching, then teach. If it is to encourage, then give encouragement. If it is giving, then give
[00:02:11] generously. If it is to lead, do it diligently. If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
[00:02:20] We are focusing today on the gift of prophecy, the ability to discern God's will and speak
[00:02:28] his truth with clarity and conviction. Prophecy isn't always about predicting the future. More
[00:02:35] often, it is about calling people back to God's truth, providing guidance, and sometimes warning
[00:02:43] those who have drifted away from his word. But here's the reality. When you speak God's truth,
[00:02:51] it can lead to trials. Not only for you, the prophet, but also for those who hear your message.
[00:03:01] Prophets play a crucial role in expanding God's kingdom. They bring God's perspective into situations,
[00:03:09] helping people understand what God desires and how they should align their lives with his will.
[00:03:15] In Romans 12 and 6, Paul encourages those who have the gift of prophecy to exercise it in accordance
[00:03:23] with their faith, meaning that they must boldly and faithfully deliver God's message,
[00:03:29] no matter what the personal cost. Think about it. When you speak God's truth in a world as often
[00:03:36] steeped in lies, deception, and selfish desires, there's bound to be resistance. John 8 and 32,
[00:03:46] reading from the New International Version, tells us that the truth will set you free.
[00:03:53] But freedom often comes after a struggle. The truth is powerful, but it can also be uncomfortable,
[00:04:01] convicting, and even confrontational. That's why a prophet often faces trials when delivering God's
[00:04:09] message. If you've been given the gift of prophecy, you know that speaking God's word isn't always easy.
[00:04:18] The Bible is full of examples of prophets who suffered because of the messages they were
[00:04:23] carried, because of the messages they were called to deliver.
[00:04:28] Jeremiah, for instance, was known as the weeping prophet because he endured so much rejection
[00:04:34] and persecution. He spoke God's truth to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment if
[00:04:42] they didn't repent. Instead of heeding his word, they mocked and imprisoned them.
[00:04:48] In the same way, those with the gift of prophecy today may find that their message is met with
[00:04:55] resistance, especially when it challenges the status quo or calls out sin. People don't always
[00:05:03] want to hear the truth, especially if it means confronting uncomfortable realities. But this is where
[00:05:10] faith comes in. When you're speaking on behalf of God, the trials you face are not a sign of failure,
[00:05:16] failure, but often a sign that you're on the right path. Jesus himself warned in Matthew 5 and 11,
[00:05:25] blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you
[00:05:31] because of me. So if God has given you the gift of prophecy, don't shy away from it. Yes, trials may come,
[00:05:40] but remember that you are bringing the light of truth into darkness. Not only does the prophet face
[00:05:48] trials, but those who hear the message can also experience their own struggles. The truth, when it's
[00:05:56] revealed, demands a response. It often requires people to change, to repent, to turn away from sin,
[00:06:04] or to walk in a new direction. And let's be honest, change is hard. The truth may disrupt people's
[00:06:13] lives, their relationships, or even their sense of identity. But that disruption is necessary for
[00:06:20] growth. Hebrews 4 and 12 says, for the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged
[00:06:29] sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts
[00:06:37] and attitudes of the heart. This is the power of prophecy as it cuts through to the core of who we are.
[00:06:46] And when people are confronted with God's truth, they may resist, become defensive, or even lash out.
[00:06:53] But this isn't the time for a prophet to back down. Instead, it's the time to trust that God's word
[00:07:01] will accomplish its purpose, even if it leads to temporary discomfort or conflict.
[00:07:08] Why does speaking God's truth often lead to trials? The answer lies in the nature of the kingdom of God.
[00:07:16] The kingdom is advancing, but it's advancing into a world that is often in opposition to God's
[00:07:23] rules. Ephesians 6 and 12 reminds us, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
[00:07:31] but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world,
[00:07:37] and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. When you speak God's truth,
[00:07:44] you are engaging in spiritual warfare. You are pushing back against the forces of darkness that
[00:07:50] want to keep people in bondage. This is why trials are inevitable, but it's also why they're worth it.
[00:07:57] The trials we face as we speak God's truth are temporary, but the fruit of that truth,
[00:08:04] the freedom, healing, and restoration it brings, is eternal. Brothers and sisters, I want to encourage you,
[00:08:13] if you have been given the gift of prophecy, use it boldly and faithfully. Yes, trials will come,
[00:08:21] but remember that you are not alone. God is with you, and his word will not return empty. The trials
[00:08:30] you face are part of a journey toward expanding his kingdom and helping others encounter the transformative
[00:08:37] power of his truth. 2 Timothy 1 and 7 says, For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,
[00:08:47] but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. You have the power of the Holy Spirit within you,
[00:08:55] so speak God's truth with conviction, knowing that his grace is sufficient to carry you through every
[00:09:03] trial. I thank you for spending time with me on today, and I look forward to our conversation on
[00:09:10] tomorrow. Until then, God bless. The Bible Speaks is sponsored by C Squared Realty and New Gen Construction
[00:09:26] Group to help spread the gospel to the corners of the earth. If anything you've heard poured into your
[00:09:33] life, please share it with someone. You can find The Bible Speaks on Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer,
[00:09:44] and many more. Follow us on YouTube at The Bible Speaks Online. You may contact Elgin at P.O. Box 5582,
[00:09:56] Ocala, Florida, 34478, or by email at thebiblespeaksonlineatgmail.com.