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By Sidharth Mohandas
Prophecy In General
There are two particular gifts of the Spirit that Paul had to write specifically about. These were the gift of prophecy and the gift tongues. Paul had to write an entire chapter on these two gifts for the height of abuse of these gifts was more as it is in our day.
Today I will deal with how one should respond to prophecy. Scripture says,
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. (1 Corinthians 14:29)
The Greek word for “judge” here is diakrino, which means to thoroughly separate and examine. Failing to do this has led to the destruction of individuals, families and even ministries. I remember a time I heard a well-known preacher prophesying on the Media about something that would take place in the year 1998. Later when I analyzed his message, I realized his message was a message of condemnation and not a message of “edification and exhortation and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3) as it should be. 1998 passed by and what this man said did not come to pass, even though his followers endorsed what he said when he prophesied it. If they had taken heed to the Scripture to judge what was prophesied, they wouldn’t have been fooled.
Personal Prophecy
I had a friend of mine relate how a trusted man of God delivered a prophecy that a certain man was to marry a girl in the congregation. They made arrangements to get married but before the marriage took place the girl died! It’s sad how many people get deceived because they have failed to judge what was prophesied. Personal prophecy is never given for direction, it is given for confirmation. God will never speak to you through prophecy if He has not spoken to you or will speak to you personally. If such a prophecy has been delivered to you and you are not sure if it’s from God, do not receive it and act on it immediately. Wait on God and He will make things clear to you.
There is an instance where this is clearly shown: the disciples of Tyre through the Spirit urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). Later the prophet Agabus comes to Paul and tells him that he was going to face danger in Jerusalem (Acts 21:11). Do you think Paul listened to the disciples who through the Spirit perceived danger? Scripture says he didn’t. And do you know why? It was because the Holy Spirit Himself had compelled him to go to Jerusalem beforehand (Acts 20:22). Yes, Paul did face danger in Jerusalem as the disciples of Tyre and prophet Agabus perceived, but it wasn’t God’s will for Paul to retreat. The disciples perceived danger and wanted Paul to stay in Tyre, but again God had already spoken to Paul’s heart, and no one could change his mind.
Finally, Scripture tells us, “…Do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21) Let this be our gauge in judging prophecies.
That prophecy to Paul was to warn him and prepare wasn’t it? Wisdom, wisdom! Thanks for your note on power and authority….
“Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.”
[Acts 21:4]
Here it clearly says they urged him not to go. Yes, what they perceived in the Spirit was right [danger], but their interpretation was wrong. They advised him not to go.