Prophecy or Problems: How to function in the prophetic

Prophecy or Problems:  How to function in the prophetic


God told me:  Prophetic guidelines. 





#1.   Accountability.   Within a group of prophetic type persons 


A-  Recall Caiaphas:

John 11:(NLT) 49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”

51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.


Don’t confuse one’s ability to prophesy with one’s relationship with the LORD.  As a prophetic type person, we need always to check our hearts, guard our hearts and seek the Lord continually about us!  


B-  Stay in check and accountable to prophetic type persons.  This is important.  


Remember this is not a competition!

1 Corinthians 14:29-33 (NLT) 29 Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. 30 But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. 31 In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32 Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.


  1. Don’t fall into the trap of saying: ‘I couldn’t help myself’ or ‘The Spirit made me do it or say it.’  Paul clearly tells us—‘don’t do that!’  “…people are in control of their spirit and can take turns…”


  1. The end result needs to be Divine order and control with three key things: 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NLT) 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.
    1. Strengthening others
    2. Encouraging others
    3. Comforting others

  


Smith Wigglesworth preached the following:

“Allow me to say this, and then you judge it afterward. You are not in the right place if you do not judge what I say. You are not to swallow everything I say; you are to judge everything I say by the Scriptures. But you must always use righteous judgment. Righteous judgment is not judging through condemnation, but it is judging something according to the Word of God. In this way, the church may receive edification so that all the people may be built up according to the Word of God.”  (Wigglesworth Daily Devotional p 520) 



# 2.  Guidance from non-prophetic type people.  People who would lean towards the pastor-teacher giftings. 



Prov 19:2. Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good—-haste makes mistakes.


Let’s be honest…prophetic type people are generally pretty enthusiastic.  Some might even be called a little on the hyper side!  God intentionally balances prophets with pastor- teacher.  This is the reason why Ephesians 4:11 defines 5 gifts which are different, but complimentary to each other.  Prophetic type people need rational, wise, methodical, slow, big picture, outward focused,  input from non prophetic type people.


In short prophets need pastors, teachers, evangelists, and apostles.  This creates a needed balance and a needed system of accountability.





# 3.  Meekness.   

In Watchman Nee’s book Release of the Spirit, he speaks of the qualities meekness in these terms:  Meekness is seen in the quality of being mutually corporate.  Nee then states these things about being mutually corporate:

    • Participates well in the body of Christ
    • Gets the whole picture of body life
    • Open to the common spirit of the church
    • Is quick acknowledgement of sin or wrongness
    • Is easily calibrated 

So prophetic people gain credibility by being well connected in the body, getting the whole picture.  This means connecting with others well and not always staying in a corner all by yourselves.  It means participating with the body in all events and activities.




# 4.  Each Congregation should develop and adhere to a  prophetic protocol.  

(See document:  LifeHouse Prophetic Protocol for LifeHouse St Thomas)


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