Sometimes we can find ourselves following prophets more than we follow God. We hang on their every word, but fail to go to the truth which is the Word of God. We seek ministries and run after them to give us a Word from God when we really should be going to God ourselves and asking Him what He wants to say to us. I am not saying it is wrong to listen to prophets or to receive a word from them, but I am saying we should never seek them more than God. We should also test everything they say to make sure it is really coming from God.

They are human and can get it wrong, sometimes on purpose and sometimes out of error. That is why we must test their words to make sure they are really coming from God. I have personally known several situations where a ‘prophetic” word was used to manipulate others into doing something the speaker wanted. That is why we must always make sure the message is actually from God. Their messages can come from the following (or a mixture of the following): God, demons, and/or themselves. Their words can contain a mixture and they do not even know it.

Acts 16:16-17 16 It happened that as we were on our way to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination [that is, a demonic spirit claiming to foretell the future and discover hidden knowledge], and she brought her owners a good profit by fortune-telling. 17 She followed after Paul and us and kept screaming and shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God! They are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”

We must not come into agreement with the message of the prophetic word spoken to us until we test it.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 19 Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. 20 Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21 But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.

1 John 4:1 4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.

Ways to Test the Prophetic Message

Does it edify, encourage, and draw you closer to the Lord?

1 Corinthians 14:3 But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].

This could include a message to do something in order to come back to the Lord, but it will not beat the person up or be full manipulation or control. It could be to stop a sin or something similar, but it should drive you to repentance and not create condemnation that causes you to run from God.

Does it line up with scripture? God will never give a word that contradicts His written Word. If it does not line up with the Word of God it is not Him. It should be thrown out immediately.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Does it glorify God? If it doesn’t point back to God and only points to the one giving the message there is an issue. The Holy Spirit always points to the Father. It should not be about the speaker being a superstar in the Christian circles.

John 16:13-1413 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you.

Does it produce good fruit such as drawing you closer to God, creating deeper levels of surrender, and/or walking in God’s perfect will?

Did it come true? (Caution, even if it did you must still make sure it lines up in all the other ways.) If they are constantly getting it wrong and missing the mark something is wrong. I recently heard a popular “prophet” say that many of his prophecies do not come true because God gives him the messages, the church prays, and then God changes the situation so it does not happen because of the prayer. However, upon closer research I found out that he has caused numerous people to lose everything they had because he told them to invest poorly, sale every, make unsound investments, and so many more bad choices.

Does it encourage obedience to God?

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 “If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder which he spoke (foretold) to you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us follow after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve and worship them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and all your soul [your entire being]. 4 You shall walk after the LORD your God and you shall fear [and worship] Him [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect], and you shall keep His commandments and you shall listen to His voice, and you shall serve Him, and cling to Him. 5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the LORD your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to draw you away from the way in which the LORD your God has commanded you to walk. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

Does it release bondages or create them? Messages from God will not created bondages in your life. His Word brings healing, freedom, and deliverance.

2 Corinthians 3:17 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].

Bondage, confusion, and fear are not products of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:15 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!”

1 Corinthians 14:33 33 for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

2 Timothy 1:7 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

I have recently heard many prophetic words that have been covered and delivered with fear. I am not sure if any or part of the message originated with God, but by the time they were delivered a spirit of fear had attached to them.

Does it bring forth life? God’s Word will always produce life.

2 Corinthians 3:6 6 He has qualified us [making us sufficient] as ministers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not of the letter [of a written code] but of the Spirit; for the letter [of the Law] kills [by revealing sin and demanding obedience], but the Spirit gives life.

Does your spirit bear witness (discernment)? Do you see red flags with the message or the speaker? Does it feel off? If so, listen to that and don’t be quick to just accept it.

1 John 2:27 27 As for you, the anointing [the special gift, the preparation] which you received from Him remains [permanently] in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But just as His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit] about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as His anointing has taught you, [a]you must remain in Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him].

What to do when you are given a prophetic word:

Ask Yourself: Does it line up with the Word of God? Is this confirmation about something God has already been speaking to your heart? What does God say about the message? Does it link up with His Word? How does it make you feel/discernment? Do you see any red flags with the message or the speaker?

If it lines up with God’s Word and God is using it for confirmation accept it.

If it does not line up with God’s Word or character discard it and verbally command any demons connected to that message to go in the name of Jesus. Don’t dwell on it and don’t let fear attach to you because of anything spoken that was not from God.

If you are not sure if it is from God or if it lines up with His Word, file it away, pray on it and ask God to confirm it.

Blessings,

Nichole Henson

Fullness of Joy Ministry

Contact Information: Fullnessofjoyministry@gmail.com