How Can You Know If A Prophetic Word Is Really From God? You may be wondering, How can I know if a prophetic word is really from God? This is an excellent question. When my husband Dave and I teach others about prophecy, we use numerous Scriptures, especially 1 Corinthians 14:3 – One who prophesies speaks...for edification and exhortation and consolation, and 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 – Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good. There is nothing wrong with testing prophetic words that are spoken to you; in fact, it is a wise practice. Does not the ear test words?Testing a word does not mean that you are questioning the Lord or the person who prophesied it, but that you are seeking confirmation. Does not the ear test words...? (Job 12:11). • Does a word meet the test of 1 Corinthians 14:3 – edification, exhortation, and comfort? Prophecies should never be used as a vehicle for controlling or condemning others. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Gods words bring us hope. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). • Does a prophetic word given to you line up with the truth of God as expressed in His written Word, the Bible? The Lord will not contradict Himself. God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19). • Does a prophetic word bear witness with your own spirit, or does something about it seem off? Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God... (1 John 4:1). In the New Testament model of prophecy God primarily uses prophetic words to confirm what youre already hearing from Him. He doesnt expect you to make a major life change on the basis of one word prophesied to you. Even in the Old Testament the Lord confirmed His words. Abraham (see Genesis 15 & 17), Moses (see Exodus 3-4), and Gideon (see Judges 6-7) all received multiple confirmations from God. • Does a prophetic word exalt or glorify an individual or group, or does it exalt and glorify Jesus Christ by helping propel others forward in their walk with God? Encouragement, exhortation, and comfort (see 1 Corinthians 14:3) are key elements in prophecy. Reject words that are manipulative. God desires for us to walk in confidence, avoiding both condemnation and conceit. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Use these various tests to confirm if a word is from the Lord. If so, then CLAIM it, DECLARE it, BELIEVE it, and REST in His truth and faithfulness (see Lamentations 3:22-23; I Thessalonians 5:24). Gods words WILL be fulfilled at the proper time (see Luke 1:20)! For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 10:49:49 +0000
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