Our God is a speaking God. One of the ways He speaks to us is through the prophetic word. The prophetic word I am referring to is the one that is a verbal message from God to us through others. It is a message that does not contradict the written revelation of God, the Bible, nor does it attempt to add to it or “correct” it any way. Does God still use people as messengers today? In writing to the Corinthians, St. Paul the Apostle encouraged the believers to desire to prophesy (1 Corinthians 14). He indicates that the heart of God is reflected in true prophesy because it builds up the faith of the believers, exhorts and comforts. Nowhere in the Corinthian letters or in the rest of the New Testament, are we told that this kind of prophesy is to cease.
What do we do when someone claims they have a prophesy or a prophetic word, from God? First of all, we examine if it is biblical. Is it something we see that is sanctioned in Scripture? Does it contradict or complement the Word of God? If it does not fit with Scripture, then it is to be disregarded. For example, if a prophetic word is directing us to deny established doctrine, like the Trinity, or take advantage of another, or engage in any kind of abuse or clearly immoral, rebellious, disrespectful behavior, it should be dismissed. A true prophetic word from God does not condemn, and even if it brings correction, it is so the person can repent, be reconciled and restored.
Second, does the prophetic word given to us fit with what has been going on with our lives? Recently, a friend shared with me how he felt God was directing him to start a particular ministry. He could see it was biblical to start that kind of ministry but was still unsure about whether or not to do it. Quite unexpectedly, he received a prophetic word from someone who did not know what he was considering. The prophetic word was that my friend should start the exact kind of ministry he was considering. God knew the direction my friend needed, and conveyed that to him through another believer.
Third, even if the prophetic word does fit with what had been going on within and around us, it is best not to take any action on it immediately. All prophetic words have an element of subjectivity in that they require some interpretation and we have to trust God to unfold what that prophetic word may actually mean. I recall a minister friend of mine who began attending a church in his local area that was not of his denomination. He began attending because he was retired and there were no other local churches of his denomination nearby. One day he received a prophetic word that he was coming under new leadership. At the time, it could have appeared that meant he was to leave his present denomination in favor of the church he had been attending. But he prayed and waited on the Lord for more direction. Within a few months, circumstances changed so that he indeed had come under new leadership. However, it was under a different leader within his denomination! Just imagine the potential havoc that would had ensued if my friend had rushed to interpret the prophetic word given in light of only his immediate situation!
In many cases, prophetic words are a confirmation of what God has already spoken to a person or a clarification of what a believer may have already suspected. But sometimes they are not. In such cases we have to pray, wait and see, with openness to the possibility that what is being shared may be of God. We continue to do what we are called to do, and if the prophetic word is correct, then we will find the circumstances around us beginning to change. Or we will receive other indicators/signs that clue us into the fact that the prophetic word was correct. But our first priority in this situation is to pray, seek God for His will to be done, and follow His leading. Now some times there will be a prophetic word that resonates with us immediately. We feel that it is right. But even in those cases, we must still pray, reflect and ask God for more direction. It is wise at this point to consult with others who have experience with the prophetic and are reputable. In a multitude of counselors, there is wisdom (Proverbs 15:22).
Some prophetic words are given to make sense of things that are happening around us. These could be things that have an effect on a larger scale. Again, if these words are biblical, not adding or taking away from Scripture, but an outflow of it, we can be open to their possibly of being from the Lord. We must listen and we must pray and ask God to give us ears to hear what He may be saying. If things begin to happen that the prophetic words predicted we can have assurance that they are from God.
God wants us to trust Him through all the phases of our life. He wants us to communicate with Him and for us to hear His voice as our Good shepherd (John10:27). Prophetic words are not a substitute for us seeking to hear God for ourselves. Nor are they the primary things by which we live our lives. Rather, they are like sign posts along the way, that affirm our God is the Lord of all. They are given so that we might be encouraged to trust, seek and obey God even more. They are given to confirm or prompt us in a given direction-God’s direction.
In the last few months, Bishop Jones has shared several prophetic words with his cathedral church and with the clergy. Some of you have heard these words in our Sunday evening gatherings here in Chelsea. These have now been posted on the website www.aslanroars.com. I encourage you to visit the site, see what is written and prayerfully reflect upon these words. I have done this myself, and have found these words to be very biblically orientated.
In every major renewal movement/revival that the church has seen in the last 2000 years, everyone has been preceded by prayer and repentance. The people of God have become hungry for Him and His presence and have sought to leave behind all things that hinder their ability to follow Him. As they have done so, they have been transformed and in turn became a catalyst for God to use to touch the lives, and the society, around them. Many of these prophetic words from the Bishop are encouragements to meet God in that place of brokenness and repentance. And as we do, we will decrease in our flesh life, and He will increase in conforming us to His character. As John the Baptist said long ago, we must “decrease so He can increase (John 3:30).
May we during this Easter seek to hear the Lord more clearly, be open to the prophetic word as a means to hear what God is saying to us and respond in faith and obedience.
