By Sidharth Mohandas
What should our response be to the manifestation of the prophetic gift? If someone gives you a prophecy, what do you do with it? In this article I wish to answer this question under two headings:
(1) Our response to its offer
(2) Our response to its operation
Let’s start with the first heading…
(1) Our response to its offer:
Abba has offered the gift of prophecy to us by His Spirit mainly for building, encouragement and comfort. Let me give you an example:
In the year 2005, my mother and I had gone to a meeting where a man of God had come down from Pennsylvania. At that time my mother was extremely burdened for my sister and her lifestyle. In one of these meetings, this man of God started prophesying after preaching a message. As he passed by my mother, she reached out in faith and touched his hand. In a very different manner from the message he gave, the man said “GIVE your daughter to Me, she is MINE, says the Lord”.
That word from the Lord strengthened my mother in a great way, and changed her attitude towards my sister’s salvation. A year later my sister gave her life to the Lord!
This gift is a necessity in the church, so much so that Paul tells us twice to COVET to prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1, 39 KJV). The Greek word used for “covet” is the word “zeloo”, which means “to have warm feelings either towards or against”. Today, I encourage you to follow Paul’s instruction and deeply desire (be zealous) to the gift of prophesy. Why? In order to equip believers and build them up into unity and maturity of faith. (Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV).
(2) Our response to its operation:
Now how do we respond when someone delivers a prophecy? This is what Scripture instructs us: 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 in 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 have been. The year 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 Scripture to judge what was prophesied, they would not have been fooled.
What about 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! Isn’t it sad how people get deceived because they fail 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 is from God, do not act on it immediately. Wait on God, and He will make things clear to you.
Here is an instance in Scripture where this is clearly shown: the disciples of Tyre through the Spirit urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). Later on, the prophet Agabus comes to Paul and warns him of the danger he was going to face in Jerusalem (Acts 21:11). What was Paul’s response to these? Scripture tells us that Paul still continued on his journey to Jerusalem. Do you know why? It was because the Holy Spirit had personally 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 (Acts 21:27-36), but it was not God’s will for Paul to retreat. The disciples probably perceived danger, but their interpretation of what they perceived was not what was in God’s mind.
Please note–this should not cause us to treat prophecy with contempt, but rather we should thoroughly test it and hold on to the good. (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21)
With this, we finish the Vocal Gifts. In the coming article I will deal with the Power Gifts.
A verse that I refer to often in regards to prophecy is the following:
2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;(NKJ)
I like what you said about prophetic office and ministry.
Another analogy I use is the differenct between ministry is what you do, and office is who you are.
Blessings.
Yvette
Very interesting Sidarth. A fascinating subject that demands a lot of discussion I think. I found that very enlightening.
“Personal prophecy is never given for direction, it is given for confirmation.” I have heard some manipulate and try to direct others through prophecy. That line really seemed to address that.