By Andrew Williams
Series: The Year of the Prophet- Month 1: The Anatomy of a Prophet
Week 4: The Nature and Responsibility of the Office
Anchor Scripture: “And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.” — 1 Corinthians 14:25 (NKJV)
The Teaching
In our journey through the anatomy of the prophet, we come to one of the most supernatural and convicting functions of the office: the ability to see past the masks of men and into the hidden chambers of the soul. The Prophet possesses what we might call a “Spiritual X-Ray.” While others see the outward appearance—the religious smile, the well-chosen words, or the confident posture—the Prophet perceives the “secrets of the heart.”
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul describes a scenario where an unbeliever or an outsider enters a gathering. As the prophetic word goes forth, this person’s secret thoughts, hidden pains, and private struggles are suddenly laid bare. This is not a psychic “mind-reading” trick for entertainment; it is a surgical tool for reconciliation. When the Prophet reveals a secret of the heart, the goal is to bring the person into a head-on collision with the reality of God’s presence. The result is not a “good sermon” review; the result is a person falling on their face in worship, acknowledging that God is truly in the place.
Handling this gift requires extreme wisdom and mercy. To see someone’s secrets is to hold their dignity in your hands. A mature Prophet knows that God doesn’t reveal secrets to empower the messenger, but to encounter the listener. If God shows you the “hidden things” of a person, it is because He wants that person to know they are seen, known, and loved by their Creator.
Prophetic Insight
The power of revealing a secret is found in the recognition. When a person realizes that God knows the one thing they’ve never told anyone, their defense mechanisms collapse. The Prophet’s “sight” bypasses the human intellect and strikes the spirit. If you find yourself “knowing” things about people that they haven’t told you—their past traumas, their secret desires, or their private fears—do not use that information as a weapon of judgment. Use it as a key to unlock their heart for God. The “secrets of the heart” are revealed so that the “worship of the heart” can begin.
The Activation
Ask the Holy Spirit today for a “Word of Recognition” for someone you encounter—perhaps a coworker, a friend, or even a stranger. Ask, “Lord, show me one thing about this person’s heart that will make them feel seen by You.“ If He gives you an impression, wait for the right moment and share it gently. Don’t say “God said”; simply say, “I felt like I should share this with you…” and watch how the revealing of a secret leads them toward God.
Daily Prayer: Lord God, I thank You that nothing is hidden from Your sight. I ask that You would sharpen my spiritual perception to see past the masks that people wear. Grant me the grace to handle the ‘secrets of the heart’ with Your wisdom and Your mercy. Let my prophetic words bring people to their knees in worship. Use me to show a lost and hurting world that You are truly among us. Amen.
