Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. (I Thessalonians 5:19-21 NIV)
This week I want to give some practical guidance on receiving a prophetic word from God. He speaks to his people today, and sometimes he chooses to speak to us through others. Many churches do not accept this prophetic ministry, but it is Scriptural and can produce great blessing in the church. With any gift from God there can be abuse, but Paul is clear that the church should not disdain prophetic utterances. Instead test them, and hold fast to that which is good.
Here are five practical guidelines for receiving a prophetic word from another believer.
Next week I will examine some practical guidelines for delivering a word of prophecy.
- The prophetic word must be in line with the written Word of God. If it is not, then don't accept it. God never contradicts his written Word. It is true that we are growing in our understanding of the written Word, but you cannot act on a word that doesn't agree with your understanding.
- The prophetic word must bear witness with your own spirit. We must always act in faith. I know a young woman, who received several prophetic words regarding teaching. Some of these words were delivered to her while she was in school to become a teacher. However, she later changed her major to business. She considered the words off target. As she told me this story, I told her what I saw. I could see her with a place in the body of Christ to teach, but not as a school teacher. She cannot see herself teaching in any capacity. For now, she cannot act on these words because she could not act in faith. I believe the day will come that the Holy Spirit will reveal to her own spirit that she does have a place of teaching in the body of Christ. When that happens she will look back on the various words of prophecy that she received in the past regarding teaching, and she will see that God was confirming his direction to her even before she saw it herself. However, for now, she is wise and right not to act on those words of prophecy.
- You can't make words of prophecy come to pass. In the kingdom of God we are co-laborers together with God. We have our part to do, and then God has his part to do. Usually, he will not do our part. We cannot do his part because there are things that only God can do. A person will become anxious and frustrated if he tries to do God's part.
I delivered a word of prophecy to a young woman regarding what I see about her future in walking in the glory of God. There were three things in that word that are specific instructions for her to do now.
- Continue to seek first the kingdom of God.
- Continue to seek to please him with all of her heart.
- Continue to shun the temptations of this evil age.
These are things that she can do. But, the rest of what I said to her only God can cause to come to pass. If she tries to bring it to pass in her own strength, she will stumble and fall.
- The fullness of a prophetic word could take years or decades to come to pass. I received a prophetic word from a reputable man of God over 26 years ago that I believe with all of my heart was a true word from God to me. It has not yet come to pass. However, I have not stopped believing. It will come to pass in my life. There are other words that have been spoken to me that I accept as true words from God to me that have not yet been accomplished in me. I still accept these words as from God, and I believe that I will see their fulfillment in my life, if I will continue to seek God and pursue him above all.
Why does it take so long? God is eternal. He sees the beginning from the end. Years of preparation are vital to the fulfillment of God's plan in a person's life. Remember Jesus had thirty years of preparation for three years of earthly ministry. That is a ratio of ten to one. Continue to seek God. Continue to believe God and daily obey what you know to do. God will cause his word to be fulfilled in your life in due season, if you will continue to seek him above all.
- Maintain your peace. Never allow a prophetic word to distress you to the point of losing your peace. Always allow the peace of Christ to rule in your heart. (See Colossians 3:15) If you have difficulty with the prophetic word delivered to you, seek counsel. Talk to your pastor, or to a wise, mature believer who has an understanding of spiritual things. God does not want you to be confused or distressed. It is always the will of God to live in peace.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org
Wisdom From the Word
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