1) Should we desire the spiritual gift of healing?
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 1 Cor 14:1
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Cor 12:11
2) How should we deal with prophecies?
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. 1 Cor 14:5
There is definitely a strong emphasis that Paul makes about seeking the gift of prophesy more than the gift of speaking in tongues. But again, take note that the goal is “so that the church may be edified.” The word “edify” means to “build up” which links with the theme that we just discussed in the previous question. Again, what is our motive for seeking the gift of prophecy? Is it to draw attention to ourselves to impress others with a supposedly “grand revelation from God”? Or is it to build up the church by pointing them to the revelation given by God in the complete, inerrant word of God, and ultimately enabling the church to give glory to God? The latter should be our aim in seeking the gifts of the spirit.
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 1 Cor 14:29
We see here the model of how prophecy should be delivered. Particularly, a limited number of prophets should speak while the others “weigh carefully what is said.” In this passage “weigh carefully” could also be translated “judge” or “thoroughly investigate.” That is, judge to make sure that what is being said is in line with the theology of the word of God. No words spoken by a person should ever have precedence over what the Bible teaches. If something that is said is inconsistent with the Bible, then the prophecy spoken could possibly labeled a heresy. Of course, for us to be able to do this we need to know the word of God. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15
Lastly, I always keep the following verses in mind when dealing with spiritual gifts:
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. 1 Thess 5:21
Spiritual gifts are great things, but they are only good when sought with the right intention. That’s why we need not reject them right away but test first, then keep the good ones and reject the bad ones.