Prophecy

By Pastor Eric

“Prophecy” or “prophetic utterance” can easily be misunderstood. Prophecy is not speaking about someone’s past. It always concerns the present or future. Also, it must line up with God’s Word. Sometimes people in their zeal to be helpful or to be deep may say something out of line with what God says about it. For instance, having been told that the Lord wanted me to give them a certain amount of money. Well, if the Lord didn’t tell me to give it, He wouldn’t tell you to tell me how much to give. That doesn’t line up with 2Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Understand that under the old Covenant, only certain people could hear from God. They were the prophets of that day. If you needed to hear from God, you have to go to a prophet. In today’s Covenant, the prophet only confirms what the Lord is speaking to the inner-man. You may not have heard directly from the Lord, but when a person gives a prophetic word your inner or spirit-man will give witness to what they’re saying.

1John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
Now don’t go around saying every person that speaks something you don’t like or agree with is a false prophet. A false prophet is one who speaks against Jesus Christ. One that says things that go against God’s word.

Let’s not get discouraged here though. The Lord wants us to prophesy or speak His word. The prophetic voice is to encourage and build up those in the body of Christ. Look at 1Corinthians 14:31 “For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.”
This is something we should be doing on a regular basis.

Be encouraged today to use your gifting. Allow God to use you through the gift of prophecy.