1 Timothy 1:18-19 (WEB)
18 This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare;
19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;

Let us be encouraged today to remember the promises the LORD Jesus Christ gives us through His Word by the Holy Spirit and by prophesy of someone inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak the mind of Christ. He has given them to us for at least two reasons:

1. As an encouragement
2. To fight the good fight – referred to here in verse 18

We are in a war because we have been translated form the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light when we were born again by the Spirit of GOD. The devil and his cohorts are now warring against us. “Ephesians 6:12 (WEB) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”. Thank GOD that Jesus Christ has won the victory!

To fight this war GOD has given us the weapons and amour for both protection and offence (see Ephesians 6:10-20). Jesus Christ used one of the weapons, to teach us, when He was tempted by the devil. “Matthew 4:4 (WEB) But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’””. He used the Word of God as a sword “Ephesians 6:17 (WEB) … and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”.

When we seek the LORD and read His Word, the bible, the Holy Spirit can and will speak to us. When we are praying and seeking the LORD together with other brothers and sisters, someone might receive a prophesied word from the LORD for us (NOTE: these need to be tested and confirmed – 1 Corinthians 14:29 and Matthew 18:16).

Both of these are the Words of GOD that we need to act on, remember and journal. They are there for correction, edification, encouragement and become part of our arsenal to use when the fight is on.

That is why Paul encouraged Timothy to wage the good warfare with the prophesies given to him. They are revealed promises of GOD on which we can stand, by faith, on no matter what we hear or see. “1 Corinthians 16:13 (WEB) Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!”