|
 HOW
DO YOU KNOW IF SOMEONE IS REALLY A PROPHET OR A PROPHETESS?
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A PROPHET IS REAL? HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM A PROPHET?
GOD, IS THIS PROPHET FROM YOU? MODERN DAY PROPHETS?
To be direct and to the
point, a prophet of God, is a person that God uses to foretell what he (God)
is going to do in the future. (Period)
A true prophet is not a
lecturer, he is only the P.A. system. God did not intend for this to be a
glorified ego inflating position. A true prophet is simply one who repeats
what God (or the Holy Spirit) tells them to say.
A question that I commonly
get asked is: "How do I know if I've been called to be a prophet?" The
answer is: "If you have to ask me, you're not!, trust me".
Another thing I hear allot
is: "My pastor (or a prophet) told me that I am a prophet. These people are
also commonly told that they just need to cultivate their gift or go to a
school to develop it.
What kind of prophet would
you be if you needed another prophet or pastor to tell you that you "are
one?" Prophesy is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You don't learn a
gift and you don't earn a gift. The Holy Spirit either gives it to you, or
he does not.
1Corinthians 12:11-12 -
But one and the same
Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as
He wills.
Do you understand this
verse? The Holy Spirit distributes his gifts as "he" wills. Not as "you"
will, or your pastor wills, or some prophet wills. You can't practice or
learn it! You can't buy it! You can't earn it! Stop seeking the gifts and
start seeking the giver. (for your eternal sake)
How can you tell if a
prophet is real? Is the prophet 100% accurate "all" of the time? If they are
not, could God make a wrong prediction? Some would argue, but "this" prophet
is right 99% of the time. So, ask yourself: Can God be wrong even 1% of the
time? Of course not.
Even if a persons
predictions come to pass, that does not automatically make them a prophet.
If the Holy Spirit reveals something to you, (and make no mistake, sometimes
he does) does this mean you are instantly a prophet?
Example: I installed a new
water softener and toilet and fixed the bathroom sink in our house. Does
this make me a plumber? I also finished our basement and built a shed. Does
this make me a carpenter, electrician or contractor?
Of course the answer to
these questions is "No". The only thing that this makes me, is "handy". If
God speaks to us through his Holy Spirit, all he expects from us is to be
"handy and obedient", not setting ourselves up with a title (prophet) and
flowing robes as to be admired by men.
Your question should not
so much be, "How do I know if a person is a prophet or prophetess?", but
rather, "is this person a prophet or prophetess of God, or a false prophet?"
Matthew 7:22
"Many will say to Me on that day,
'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out
demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
Matthew 7:23
"And then I will
declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE
LAWLESSNESS.'
These two statements by
Jesus are packed with information concerning prophets. If the "many" that
Jesus referred to, had cast out demons and performed miracles, then we can
only assume that the prophesies they gave were somewhat accurate also.
Important because most
people assume that a "false" prophet is one who is just simply "making it
up". On the other hand, there were (and are) those false prophets who did
(and do) "just that!"
Ezekiel 13:2
-
"Mortal man," he said, "denounce the prophets of Israel who make up their
own prophecies. Tell them to listen to the word of the LORD."
Ezekiel 13:3
-
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "These foolish prophets are doomed!
They provide their own inspiration and invent their own visions.
There are also those who sincerely believe
that, what they invent in their own minds actually comes from the Lord. The
book of Jeremiah in the old testament refers to them as: "these
prophets of the deception of their own heart"
Jeremiah 23:26
-
"How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who
prophesy falsehood, even these prophets of the deception of their
own heart.
If the person in question
is giving personal "feel good" readings to members of the congregation
and/or has a weekly "Word from the Lord", I'm sorry, but chances are they
are probably "not" the real deal!
Some of these self
proclaimed prophets and prophetess's seem to hear from God more every week
than Adam, Moses, Noah, Joseph, Abraham and Jesus did during their entire
lives and ministries! (Put together) You can tell a tree by it's fruit! The
difference between a psychic and a prophet are this: A psychic tells your
future for fun, profit, entertainment etc.. A True prophet foretells Gods
works. (Period)
Here is something to
consider while you are pondering over the person who is prophesying in front
of you and trying to decide if they are really a prophet. Jesus said:
Luke 13:33
-
"Nevertheless I must journey on today and
tomorrow and the next
day;
for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.
Did Jesus mean this
literally? Jesus was headed to Jerusalem knowing he would be put to death.
What do you think? Was he talking literally or figuratively?
Do prophets exist?
According to Paul in 1st
Corinthians, Yes they do! Paul even considered Prophesy, the most honorable
of the "Gifts of the Holy Spirit", and stated that he wished everyone had
this gift. However, just like today, Paul had to write a letter to the
church in Corinth because every one seemed to be competing for this most
honored gift.
Because they were talking
over one another, Paul laid out simple rules such as "Speak one at a time"
and tried to redirect their attention. Paul told them that greater than
prophecy or any of the other gifts was "Love". Paul stated that even if you
have these gifts, but don't have love, you have "Nothing". I call this a
tactful and gentle way of reprimanding the very new church.
PROPHETESS?
As far as the many church
ladies with a "Word from the Lord", Paul wrote specifically about prophets
from
1 Corinthians 14: 29 thru 40.
Keep in mind these 11 verses are talking specifically about prophets and
prophesy.
Directly in the middle of
these 11 verses are 1 Corinthians 14:34 and 35 which state:
1 Corinthians 14:34 - The women are
to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are
to subject themselves, just as the law also says.
1 Corinthians 14:35 - If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their
own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
Are there women prophets?
The answer is "yes", but keep in mind, there were women claiming to be
prophets in the time of Paul and even in the time of Ezekiel. They (and male
false prophets) have always been with us.
One thing has not changed.
In Ezekiel's time there were one or two true prophets of God, but a whole
plethora of false and self proclaimed prophets. I believe it is the same
today.
Ezekiel 13:17 -
The LORD said, "Now, mortal man, look at the women among your people who
make up predictions. Denounce them
Ezekiel 13:23 -
So now your false visions and misleading predictions are over. I am rescuing
my people from your power, so that you will know that I am the LORD."
THE OUT POURING
Joel 2:28 - "It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on
all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will
dream dreams, Your young men will see visions.
Joel 2:29
- "Even on the male
and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
All Mankind? Are we to
take this literally, or assume that it will be directed at Christians only?
If you are a Christian, then in either case, it may apply to "you". Do you
have children? Then they may very well prophesy! (male and female) Are you
an old man? Then you might dream dreams! Are you a young man? Then you
might see visions! Are you a
servant of God? Then God will pour out his spirit on you!
So, should you be shocked
and awed when someone steps to the front of the church and says: "God told
me there is someone here tonight that is wearing socks?". Or "There is
someone here that has marriage problems!"
I don't think so, because
when God pours out his spirit, it will probably be "you" giving the
prophesy, and it will probably be something a little more significant. This
is not to say that there are not true prophets among us. But, I am saying,
you will know a tree by it's fruit!
God is not into parlor
tricks or entertainment he does not give personal "feel good" readings to
members of the congregation. If you want that, one would need to talk to a
medium or one of the many psychic's like you see on television and God
clearly says to "STAY AWAY FROM THEM!".
Prophecies from Gods true prophets, more often than not, took sometimes
hundreds of years to come to pass. Most of Gods Prophets died horrible,
painful, humiliating deaths! Are you sure you want to be a Prophet?
(a real one!)
You would be wise not to put too much stock in the prophets and prophetesses
who simply repeat scriptures or verses from the book of Revelations. Usually
this word from the lord preceded by the words "Thus saith the Lord".
Traditionally, the
prophets of old did not read scripture, they were the ones writing it. When
scripture was recited, it was usually to point out a prophesy that had come
to pass or was fulfilled.
The gift of prophecy was intended to edify and build up the new religion in
Paul's time, it, like tongues, and many other things are too often being
reduced to a carnival or side show type of entertainment.
Any of us can go into a
congregation of 300+ people and say: "God told me, there is someone with
"back trouble" here tonight, we would surely find two or three hands raised
in the audience.
Even though there is a
wave of Ooo's and Ahh's from the congregation, I'm sorry to inform you that,
this is no more Miraculous, than me saying to a crowd of 10, someone here is
wearing a watch!! (Gasp!) You will know a tree by it's fruit.
A true prophet is indeed
fascinating, but, YOU do not need a prophet to foretell your future! You
need to dedicate your life to the Lord and be persistent in prayer and he
will give you the desires of your heart!!
Sometimes the so called
prophet or prophetess is a very well meaning, God loving person. They've
read Paul's description of the "Gifts of the Spirit" and feel they must have
this gift! For more information, read my article pertaining to the Holy
Spirit and gifts of the spirit -
http://www.powerofaith.com/holyspirit.htm .
SO, YOU WANT TO BE A PROPHET!
John the Baptist was
beheaded, the Prophet Isaiah was sawed in half, Zechariah was Stoned and
Daniel was sick for 7 days after giving a prophecy. (Still sound glamorous?)
The self proclaimed
prophets of today, entice you to keep coming back for another "fix"
constantly. You don't constantly need someone to tell you what is going to
happen tomorrow, you only need faith in God that he will make tomorrow go
well for you. (the key word here is faith)
Use common sense! You do
not need a prophet! The "only" connection between you and God, is Jesus
Christ! Not Mary, not your pastor and not some prophet! I can save you the
trouble! Skip the prophet! Seek the Lord with all your heart and he "will"
give you the desires of your heart! Miracle! Healing! You name it! If God
really deems it necessary to send a prophet to you, you'll know it!
Seek God, not the prophet!
God Bless You
Dan Douglass
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