Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

The Use of Prophecy in Church Today

nity share their prophetic words until the character of such persons has been proven over a period of time." 36 The gifts of the Spirit that may be functioning in a person's life do not automatically endorse that person's character.The Lord uses all kinds of people on various spiritual levels.The local church must monitor those who minister in their midst and be a safeguard against each person's falling away.It is possible for someone to become so self-confident and enrap tured with spiritual accomplishments that he or she neglects character. God is merciful and longsuffering, however, and does not quickly jerk away spiritual ministry because of mistakes or negligence.Nevertheless He urges His Church to exercise discipline. 5. Does this person submit to the Word of God and the government of the local church? Those with a "messianic complex " should not be proph esying.The apostle Paul demanded that prospective prophetic ministries recognize the guidelines given him by the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37-38). Visiting or resident prophets must come under the authority of the local church government and not use the Word of God for their own ends. David Watson, renowned English Anglican pastor who pioneered Spirit gift activity in the local church, asks bluntly, "Is there submission to the church leaders? Does the person allow others to judge and weigh what is said or done? ...When I note this independence or the attitude of an authoritarian, then all the red lights flash.The more mature are quite will ing to be tested." 37 Accountability is essential. 6. How well is this person known? What is the track record? If a per son has caused problems in various places, he or she should not be allowed to minister until everything has been cleared up.Have previous prophe cies proven accurate? Is this a responsible, reliable person? 7. What kind of fruit comes from his or her ministry? Jesus said we "will know [those who are genuine] by their fruits " (Matthew 7:20).Rox anne Brant gives good advice: "Any ministry which produces rebellion, delusion, division and dissension as well as exclusiveness is not of God. Let intention be what it may, if the fruit is bad the minister and his min istry are false." 38 1. Can the people understand the prophecy? A person blessed with the presence of God may understandably be excited.We are not talking about his or her private devotional times, however, but about public edification (1 Corinthians 14:3, 5, 29-33), and it is essential that those who minis ter publicly not dress up the simple message of the Lord with emotional excitement or personal idiosyncrasies, preventing the people from hear 324 The Delivery Used