Jeremiah 32:27 -   Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing to  hard for me?

PROPHET AND PROPHETESS

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF SOMEONE IS A TRUE PROPHET OR PROPHETESS?
HOW TO DISTINGUISH THE TRUE MESSENGER!
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A PROPHET IS REAL?
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM A PROPHET?
GOD, IS THIS PERSON FROM YOU?
MODERN DAY VISIONS?

To be direct and to the point, a true prophet of God, is a person that God uses to foretell what he (The Lord) is going to do in the future. (Period)

A true speaker of prophesy is not a lecturer, he is only the Lords P.A. system. God did not intend that his wonderful gift would be an excuse to create thousands of flashy, glorified,

ego inflating, self appointed positions throughout the congregation. The one who truly has this gift, is simply one who repeats what God (or the Holy Spirit) tells them to say, without acting like a celebrity.

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 told me that I have a gift. These people are also commonly told that they just need to cultivate their gift or go to a school or take a class to develop it. (probably for a fee)

What kind of prophet would you be if you needed someone besides God 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.

Read and understand this verse? The Holy Spirit distributes his gifts as "he" wills, not as "you" will, not your pastor wills, or anyone else. You can't practice or learn it! You can't buy it! You can't earn it! Stop seeking the gift and start seeking the giver of the gift.

How can you tell if a prophet is real? Is he or she 100% accurate "all" of the time? If they are not, could God make a wrong prediction? Some would argue, but "this" person 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 authentic. If the Holy Spirit reveals something to you, (and make no mistake, sometimes he does) does this mean you instantly have a special calling?

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 and flowing robes as to be admired by other people.

Your question should not be, "Is the prophetic message you are hearing real?", but rather, "is this person and their message from God?"

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. If the "many" that Jesus referred to, had cast out demons and performed miracles, then we can assume that the prophesies they gave were 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 who did (and do) "just that!" However, it appears that not all accurate prophesies come from God.

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 scripture from Jeremiah in the old testament refers to them as having: "a 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" true messengers from God!

Some of these self proclaimed prophetic seer's seem to hear from God more every week than Adam, Moses, Noah, Joseph, Abraham and Jesus did during their entire lifetimes 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 messenger 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 real or not. 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, as though it were a sporting event.

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". (Hmm ~ Not much glory in that!) 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 this in 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? Does God sometimes choose a woman to be his messenger? The answer is "yes", but keep in mind, there were women claiming to be prophetesses in the time of Paul and even in the time of Ezekiel. They (and men of deception) 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 Guru's. 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."

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 will 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, you are looking for 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 messengers, more often than not, took sometimes hundreds of years to come to pass. Most of Gods chosen ones 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 many self appointed people who simply repeat scriptures or verses from the book of Revelations. Usually this word from the lord is preceded by the words "Thus sayeth 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 was intended to edify and build up the new Church 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.

People who truly have this gift from the Lord are 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 people who believe they have this gift are well meaning, God loving people. 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 .

THE OUTPOURING

ARE YOU A MESSENGER OF GOD - DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE?

John the Baptist was beheaded, Isaiah was sawed in half, Zechariah was Stoned to death and Daniel was sick for 7 days after giving a prophecy. (Still sound glamorous?)

The self proclaimed prophets of today, entice you, to keep you 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! The "only" connection between you and God, is Jesus Christ! Not Mary, not your pastor and not someone claiming to be gifted! 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 someone to you, you'll know them!

Seek God Only! (I have spoken!)

God Bless You

Dan Douglass

My writings, as with all the resources of the entire Power of Faith Ministries website, are for the benefit of all. You are free to copy and distribute for any purpose other than making a profit by them. Recognition of the author, and/or a link to this website is a due courtesy.
 
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This page last modified on Wednesday, January 23, 2013