Creating Healthy Prophetic Environments
So, the prophet is no longer the long haired, bearded guy trying to coerce everyone to turn in his direction. He has changed to the calm, humble and prayerful person, kneeling before the Lord yet carrying an urgency in his spirit for the broken and the lost. At least this is my hope.
Gone are the days when the Church mixed up a manipulator with a true prophetic vessel of God. During the charismatic movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s, men like William Branham and Paul Cain placed the prophetic ministry on the map. We had pastors like Bill Hamon who came after in the 1980’s and began to polish the idea of a New Testament prophet in our minds. To be gut honest, Bill Hamon and Christian International may be the most effective and trusted prophetic company in this hemisphere and maybe the world. Bill’s writings in particular, Prophets and Prophetic Ministry, Prophets and Personal Prophecies and Prophets and Pitfalls are must haves for anyone venturing out into prophetic ministry and desiring mentorship.
The first is a statement on the current New Testament framework, the second is a model on how to flow in prophecy and the last is a strong emphasis on the character the prophetic vessel should possess.
This tutelage is so needed today. There are many people going around, frustrating ministries, new converts and men of God, using lying and false prophecies. Such ones seek control over others and are found to be lacking in their own identity and therefore must use manipulation as a plow to destroy. Might I dare say that some do it for business.
Here are some guidelines to observe when flowing or receiving prophetic ministry:
ALL PROPHECY MUST BE TESTED
Paul reminded us of this in 1 Thessalonians 5:20. There were confusing words that the Catching Away came and went. He encouraged the believers to test everything. You should do the same.
PROPHETS ARE HUMANS AND SOMETIMES THEY MISS
Nathan missed it and told David to build the Temple. Later God told him to correct that with David. His prophetic permission was mistaken. Also, Samuel famously said, “Surely this must be the one”. He almost anointed the wrong guy. Elijah received word in 1 Kings 19:19 to anoint Jehu but he never did. It was Elisha who did it in 2 Kings 9.
THE WRITTEN WORD IS SURER THAN THAT WORD
The true prophet will always point you to the Bible. You will be so lifted and drawn closer to God after meeting one of God’s men. His first assignment is to reveal Jesus and not himself.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LOUD AND EMBARRASSING TO BE EFFECTIVE
Calling out people’s sins and misdeed in public is off limits. Ask Paul Cain what had happened to him many years after he did that. He was found to be a practicing homosexual and an alcoholic. We must be careful. Judge not lest he be judged. Nathan went to David privately about Bathsheba. He was convinced that David was in sin. Yet, he was gracious.
WITCHES DO APPEAR IN PROPHETIC MEETINGS
Remember in Job 1 when the sons of God showed up, how Satan was present. In the same way, strong anointing will attract false spirits. In Acts 16 a girl cried after Paul saying what seemed to be right and holy. Yet Paul did not receive it. He knew the sender was the devil. Not because it is true means that you should receive it. Check the source and as a caution we should not allow total strangers to come in and prophesy over God’s people. We may connect them to people who will later destroy their lives.
DON’T PUT ON A SHOW USING PROPHETIC ACTS
Acts 21 tells how Agabus prophesied over Paul. They bound him with a belt and told him of his demise. Yet, Paul knew the message of God had to be preached and was not afraid even if it meant facing death. Then this happen, Paul didn’t die in Jerusalem. He knew preaching the Gospel was central and he would not be deterred.
Let these words guide you. Don’t despise the prophetic, rather keep loving it.
