Today’s topic examines what we should do when we receive a prophecy. Some people disregard every prophecy claiming the so-called prophets are fake and confusing themselves. Some other folks swallow every prophecy they come across. What really is the proper way to react to prophecy? What are the things we should do when we receive one? These are the questions answered in this post by God’s grace.
Do read, comment and share to benefit others. May the Lord enable you to hear His voice constantly and use what He tells you appropriately. You are splendidly blessed in Jesus’ name.
5 Right Ways To Respond To Prophecy
1. Do not despise prophecy:
That false prophecies are rife doesn’t mean true prophecies don’t exist. Don’t treat every prophecy with contempt. And I might add that many prophecies sound ridiculous at first. They seem so out of touch with reality but that doesn’t mean they are not from God and that they won’t happen.
In 2 Kings, chapter 7, it is reported that one day during a long siege and harrowing famine in Israel, Elisha prophesied that there will be plenty the following day and an army commander said it couldn’t happen.
“1. Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. 2. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.” – 2 Kings 7:1-2
If you read further down that chapter, you’ll see that it happened as the prophet said but the man who mocked was trampled at the gate where he was posted to take charge.
So we may not know at face value if a prophecy should be ignored or not. That brings us to the next step.
2. Judge (evaluate) the prophecy:
See if it agrees with Scripture and with the witness of the Holy Spirit within you. The Bible is the revealed word of God. It shows us the character of God and the things He said to His people of old. It is the yardstick by which we must judge every prophecy. If the prophecy violates the word of God, then it is not from God for God and His word are one. Anything contrary is probably from a strange spirit and the Spirit of God that dwells in your heart will be at odds with it.
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” – Psalm 138:2
“When the people instead of trusting God say to you, ‘Consult the mediums who try to talk to the dead and the soothsayers who chirp and whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? Direct those people to the law and to the testimony! If their teachings are not in accord with this word, it is because they have no dawn.” – Isaiah 8:19-20 (AMP)
As you’re assessing the prophecy, do the same for the prophet if you can.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” – 1 John 4:1-3
This is necessary because the enemy can speak words that seem right, even quote scripture, to deceive people or obstruct God’s purpose. We saw that when he tempted the Lord Jesus. Bear in mind that the devil isn’t going to announce himself and say, “Hello, I’m the devil. I’m about to tempt you!”
5. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him “on a pinnacle of the temple, 6. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9. And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” – Matthew 4:5-10
The enemy can speak a little truth as bait to draw in unsuspecting folks and then go for their jugular.
“12. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” – 2 Corinthians 11:12-15
Do read, comment and share to benefit others. May the Lord enable you to hear His voice constantly and use what He tells you appropriately. You are splendidly blessed in Jesus’ name.
5 Right Ways To Respond To Prophecy
1. Do not despise prophecy:
That false prophecies are rife doesn’t mean true prophecies don’t exist. Don’t treat every prophecy with contempt. And I might add that many prophecies sound ridiculous at first. They seem so out of touch with reality but that doesn’t mean they are not from God and that they won’t happen.
In 2 Kings, chapter 7, it is reported that one day during a long siege and harrowing famine in Israel, Elisha prophesied that there will be plenty the following day and an army commander said it couldn’t happen.
“1. Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. 2. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.” – 2 Kings 7:1-2
If you read further down that chapter, you’ll see that it happened as the prophet said but the man who mocked was trampled at the gate where he was posted to take charge.
So we may not know at face value if a prophecy should be ignored or not. That brings us to the next step.
2. Judge (evaluate) the prophecy:
See if it agrees with Scripture and with the witness of the Holy Spirit within you. The Bible is the revealed word of God. It shows us the character of God and the things He said to His people of old. It is the yardstick by which we must judge every prophecy. If the prophecy violates the word of God, then it is not from God for God and His word are one. Anything contrary is probably from a strange spirit and the Spirit of God that dwells in your heart will be at odds with it.
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” – Psalm 138:2
“When the people instead of trusting God say to you, ‘Consult the mediums who try to talk to the dead and the soothsayers who chirp and whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? Direct those people to the law and to the testimony! If their teachings are not in accord with this word, it is because they have no dawn.” – Isaiah 8:19-20 (AMP)
As you’re assessing the prophecy, do the same for the prophet if you can.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” – 1 John 4:1-3
This is necessary because the enemy can speak words that seem right, even quote scripture, to deceive people or obstruct God’s purpose. We saw that when he tempted the Lord Jesus. Bear in mind that the devil isn’t going to announce himself and say, “Hello, I’m the devil. I’m about to tempt you!”
5. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him “on a pinnacle of the temple, 6. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9. And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” – Matthew 4:5-10
The enemy can speak a little truth as bait to draw in unsuspecting folks and then go for their jugular.
“12. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” – 2 Corinthians 11:12-15
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