The Motivations of the Prophecy Gift: Romans 12:6c
“6) Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7) if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8) or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8
As we look at each motivational gift, I am going to provide a simple outline for each gift. Hopefully this will copy well to each format. Sometimes the outline numbers do not transfer.
For each gift, I will provide a biblical example of someone who had that gift, give a guiding principle from the Romans 12 context that is especially crucial to the person with that character motivation, look at some characteristics of the gift and then look at some potential weaknesses inherent in the person with that gift.
1. MOTIVATIONAL GRACE OF PROPHECY: Romans 12:6 A. Example: Peter B. Guiding Scripture: Romans 12:9 C. Characteristics of this Gift: 1) Need to express themselves especially in matters where right and wrong are involved. (Acts 2:14; 3:12; 4:8) 2) Tend to make quick judgments on what they see and hear, and often speak before others. (Matt 14:28; 16:16; 16:22; 17:14) 3) Very discerning of anything deceptive or dishonest and often react harshly. (Acts 5:3-10) 4) Strong desire for justice but very harsh on those who sin or fall short. (Matthew 18:21-22) 5) Usually open about personal faults and failures. (Luke 5:8) 6) Loyalty to truth over relationships. (John 6:67-69) 7) Willing to suffer for the truth and doing right. (Acts 5:29-42) D. Weaknesses inherent in this gift: 1) Tendency to expose a sinful person without taking care to restore them to fellowship. (Gal. 6:1, Matt 18:21-22) 2) Draw conclusions with out all the facts. 3) Rebuke people without love and demand immediate repentance without much grace. 4) Can be extremely self critical and self-condemning. (Mark 16:7) 5) Can be impulsive and make quick decisions. (John 13:6-10) 6) Lack tactfulness and while being painfully direct with people. (Matthew 16:21-22) 7) See everything as right or wrong while dwelling on the negative in people and not letting go of their past.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global