In my short journey in the prophetic realm I have set standards that I live by. I pray they can be backed up with Scripture and I believe they are. As always I am open to change as long as those giving correction are too:).
1. If someone describes themselves by stating, "I am a prophet," I raise a big giant red flag.
2. If it is doused with doom and gloom or laced with fear, I reject it in the Name of Jesus.
3. #2 continued...But if it is a word of caution or correction and is given with encouragement and faith I will probably listen more intently.
4. When given a prophetic word I test it, weigh it, and judge it by the Scriptures.
5. If there is a financial charge to receive a prophetic word I probably will give my money somewhere else.
6. If a complete stranger comes up to me and reads my mail, I will ask God if it is Him. Satan knows my past as well as his demons, so I am cautious if all I get is a few highlights of my past.
7. Confirming words of something I have dreamed, prayed silently about or just visualized I will most definitely pay attention to.
8. Just because someone says, "Thus saith the Lord," doesn't me it is the Lord.
9. Just because someone says, "Thus saith the Lord," doesn't me it is not from the Lord. Read #4.
10. The ultimate strategy I have discovered is what I call the "Plum Line". Does the prophetic word honor and glorify Jesus Christ?!
We have seen the gift of prophecy become a mega business while the preaching of the gospel has taken a back seat. I recently heard Dr. Rodney Howard Brown share a discussion he had with someone who had recently attended a prophetic conference. When describing the conference to Dr. Brown the person went on and on about the words they had given and received. Dr. Brown listened and then asked, "Did anyone get saved?" They replied with, "No, but you won't believe the prophecies." Dr. Brown interrupted by again asking, "Did anyone get saved?" After getting the same response from this person he again asked, "Did anyone get saved?" He then addressed us and said you can prophecy all you want but if people aren't being born again then all you are doing is prophesying. So is all this love for the prophetic about souls or about a profit?
Disclaimer: We recently had a student prophecy to another student at a Wednesday night youth meeting. We were teaching on the prophetic and students got to practice hearing God and sharing with other students they didn't know. The result was a student got saved because of a prophetic word. So by no means do I not believe in or practice prophecy. I believe it is one of the most powerful tools God has given us to reach the lost. 1 Corinthians 14:1 says, "Pursue love. Earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophecy."
We must get back to what Jesus COMMANDED us to do. "Go into all the world proclaiming the good news (the Gospel)" Matthew 28:19.
Preach Jesus!
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1 comment:
Good word Blake. While we pursue prophecy we must remember gifts are given to build up the Church, win the lost, and most importantly to bring Glory to God. Following charismatic prophets is not very balanced. We need prophetic voices that bring Glory to Jesus, not to there own ministries!
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