Reflections

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

 3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 1 Corinthians 14:3

Last week I was at a wedding and one of the pastors performing the ceremony gave a sermon on marriage.  I was surprised to hear the pastor telling the newly married couple how difficult marriage was and that some marriages end.  He was encouraging them to put God first but I began to think what a wonderful time to prophesy to a couple who are about to embark on a brand new life.

Many times it is second nature for us to just warn people about the trouble ahead and the trials they may face.  I’m sure the pastor did not want to make marriage seem too easy or should be taken lightly.  There is life and death in the tongue, how I wish he spoke life to this couple.  Instead of focusing on the perils of marriage, he could have focused on their lives and the blessings that come in marriage.  Marriage between a man and woman is the prophetic picture of the marriage between Christ and His church.  Marriage is meant to help the body of Christ not burden it.

As Paul exhorts us to prophesy we do not need have some special ability to foresee the future.  There are many scriptures in the bible that are prophetic that we can use to exhort and edify the church.  There are many scriptures that could have been used to exhort and edify this newly married couple.

Many know that life is full of ups and downs.  We don’t always have to be the bearer of bad news.  We should desire to prophesy to others when we can through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We should seek to exhort and edify each other for that is what brings life.