WARNINGS ABOUT PROPHESYING INCORRECTLY

It is an awesome accountability to speak on behalf of the Lord God.  People who prophesy are to concern themselves with getting their message right with as little of self showing as possible, but even more important is conveying Who He is and His heart behind the message.

Often people get their role models mixed up and identify a prophesy with the OT personalities of the prophets.  It is always best to identify with Jesus and how He treated His sheep.  Consider the following scriptural descriptions of Jesus; humble, gentle, kind, nurturing.  Jesus was stern to the unbelievers who were unrepentant and non-teachable.  But He is greatly compassionate to those who are His children. 

Matt 12:15-21 NLT

But Jesus knew what they were planning.  He left that area, and many people followed him.  He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to say who he was.  This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: "Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.  He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him.  I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public.  He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory.  And his name will be the hope of all the world."

 

Zech 9:9-10 NLT

Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion!  Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!  Look, your king is coming to you.  He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey - even on a donkey's colt.

 

Matt 11:29-30 NLT

Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

 

2 Cor 10:1 NLT

Now I, Paul, plead with you.  I plead with the gentleness and kindness that Christ himself would use.

 

Isa 40:10-11 NLT

He will feed his flock like a shepherd.  He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

 

Isa 57:15 NLT

The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.  I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.

 

Lam 3:31-33 NLT

For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever.  Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love.  For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

 

Ps 103:8-14 NLT

The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.  He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.  He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve.  For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west.  The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  For H understands how weak we are; he knows we are only dust.

CONVEY GOD’S HEART AND NOT YOUR OWN

Even the best of prophesy can be misdirected because of human input.  I have known people who have heard the Lord's Word, and yet not conveyed His heart and intent through prophesy.  Usually this happens, because although they have actually heard the Lord's Word about certain issues, they take it another step and attempt to interpret how the Lord is feeling.  For the most part, these prophesies are in error because they interpret God to be some angry force that is wrathfully spanking His kids.  I am sure anyone who has ever heard prophesy has come across this at one time or another!  The best way to prophesy is to stay within the scripture: "But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men." (1 Corinthians 14:3 NKJV)

Edification means to build up, to promote another's growth.  Exhortation means to console, encourage and comfort.  Comfort also means to calm.  [#3619, 3874, and 3889 Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Greek.]

One of the best examples I have ever heard of prophesying was when a man was called out of an audience and told, "It's not over, until it's over." He was told even though he thought he had retired and life would be down hill from there on, the Lord had plans for him and he had yet his best to offer others and to God.  It was a very simple, yet consoling and encouraging message to someone who thought he was too old and outdated. The message was so encouraging that his wife who sat next to him cried joyful tears.

The highest standard for all prophesy is love.  Those who prophesy are called to encourage the bride of Christ, and will be held accountable as to how they treat His bride.  No matter what the message, any harsh prophesy short of love is abuse. 

1 Cor 13 NLT

If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.  2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be?  And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody.  3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.

 

Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude.  Love does not demand its own way.  Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.  6 It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  8 Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear.  9 Now we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little!  10 But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear.

 

It's like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does.  But when I grew up, I put away childish things.  12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.  13 There are three things that will endure - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love.

AVOID PROPHESYING IN ANGER

The Holy Spirit told me many years ago that prophets prophesying in anger and division, and pointing fingers were in danger of being given over to a counterfeit spirit.  In such cases they would end up seeing false visions and hearing false voices, if they did not turn from their own bitterness of anger, strife and sowing division in His people.  It is the wolf spirit that uses the sharp teeth in his mouth to tear and wound and rip apart.  It is the Spirit of the good Shepherd to gather and feed and nurture and heal. 

Lying spirits

 

1 Kings 22:19-23 NKJV

Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left.  20 And the LORD said, 'Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?' So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner.  21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will persuade him.' 22 The LORD said to him, 'In what way?' So he said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall persuade him, and also prevail.  Go out and do so.' 23 Therefore look!  The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you."

AVOID PROPHESYING JUDGMENT

When we point a finger, there are fingers pointing back to us.  It is the same with His sword.  The sword of God has 2-edges.  We must always check the state of our own heart when pointing a finger of warning. In giving such a Word, it is in the lowest possible place that we must bow.  To do so with our hearts lifted up, is a very scary place of being seriously cut back.

Be very careful when you are prophesying judgment.  The scriptures reveal that our Papa's heart searches all over the world for intercessors to stand in the gap and pray against such possibilities.  It is not His heart to bring death, but to grant loving-kindness towards a repentant people.  It is my understanding that the person who prophesies judgments without the accompanying urgent call to prayer does not have the heart of God.

I have written much on the fact that the church is all that is left of the salt that protects the world from death. It is our responsibility to cover those who are not innocent and pray they be given time and opportunity to hear the gospel and receive Jesus. 

Ezek 33:10-11 NKJV

Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD,'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.  Turn, turn from your evil ways!  For why should you die, O house of Israel?'

 

Ezek 18:31-32 NKJV

Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.  For why should you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD.  "Therefore turn and live!"

Does God still bring judgment to earth?  Absolutely, yes.  All you have to do is look at the book of Revelations to know that.   

John 5:30 NKJV

I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. 

Since satan entered earth’s domain, people all over the world ask the same question.  How can a loving God allow judgment?  If people understood love, they would understand the answer to that question.  If a parent has created something very special for their child, and something comes to corrupt that gift, then the loving parent calls for the child to separate himself from the gift, so that the corruption can be destroyed and no longer touch his child. 

If that which corrupted His gift, hates the Giver, refuses to change and continues to corrupt even more, then judgment is better rendered earlier than later for the sake of all that is good.  It is righteous judgment.   

2 Cor 6:17-18 NKJV

Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."  'I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty."  

AVOID PROPHESYING PERSONAL EMOTIONS

I try to gauge my feelings when I am writing under inspiration.  I try very hard not to personalize what I am sharing.  That means that if I am feeling frustration or uptight about life, then I do not prophesy it.  The feelings of my flesh are not God's heart for His people.

He can inspire my emotions, but if He does, I make sure they are always under the barometer of His love and grace.  It is also very important that the Words which flow are not laced with underlying bitterness.  If so, it will be imparted to those who hear.

Above all, try to keep a general overall positive tone.  If a message leans towards being a negative word or a rebuke, then "parent" the tone with as much love and pleading as possible. 

Gal 5:19-26 NLT

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

 

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.

AVOID PROPHESYING IN ARROGANCE

Remember the scriptures about how Jesus ministered what He heard and He saw.  Mostly He was a humble Teacher.  He was not driven with a restless, pacing spirit.  He did not sweat.  He did not strive.  His heart and voice and attitudes were not arrogant.  He did not look down upon others, rather He served them.  He was not haughty in His voice against the demons.  He did not have to yell at them or force them to comply.  He knew Who He was, and simply walked in that, without debating His calling with anyone.  He ministered out of a resting, abiding fellowship with what He heard and saw from His Father. 

Matt 12:15-21 NLT

But Jesus knew what they were planning.  He left that area, and many people followed him.  He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to say who he was.  This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: "Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.  He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him.  I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public.  He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory.  And his name will be the hope of all the world."

AVOID PRESUMPTION

Presumption is assuming that you are conveying the message or the heart of God.  Presumption can also be assuming the timing of God.  When we prophesy from a wrong motive, or give a wrong message, have the wrong heart, or attitude, it is presumption. 

We each must be our own judge and candle what we say, and how we say it.  I trust that the Lord will raise up His spokespeople, hone their giftings with His clear Word and call over His beloved church. 

Look what happened to Joseph when he reached beyond his wall of safety: 

Gen 49:22-23 NLT

"Joseph is a fruitful tree, a fruitful tree beside a fountain.  His branches reach over the wall.  He has been attacked by archers, who shot at him and harassed him.

And remember that some prophesies are unauthorized and are held accountable: 

Matt 7:22-23 NLT

On judgment day many will tell me, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.'  But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.'

When we prophesy with the wrong heart or without the purity of His heart, we end up prophesying out of presumption and that causes us to go outside of our zone of safety.  When we operate outside of the given measure of authority that He has established for us, it is like reaching beyond our hedge of protection.  This leaves us wide open to suffer the brunt of demonic and/or people backlash.

AVOID PROPHESYING NEGATIVE REVELATION

There are places for the above things in scripture, but not in prophesying.

• Counseling sessions
• Encouraging dependency
• Delivering from demons
• Emotional healing for abused

ABOVE ALL:  LOVE NEVER FAILS

Remember in the fear of God, the accountability of what it means to speak as an ambassador for Him.  He has honored you to speak in His Name.  Live and walk worthy of the gift.  Remember that God is Love and God is Good.  Speak loving and good Words from the heart of your loving and good Father, and you will bless Him and bless those to whom you are sent.

1 Cor 13:1-13 NKJV

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

 

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

 

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.