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

Guidelines for Testing Prophetic Utterances

ing it. The words must be articulated loudly, understandably and with out melodrama. James Ryle gives us a humorous insight in "Don't Be Theatrical or Pre tentious": "Thus saith the Lord, 'One needeth not to speaketh in ye olde King James language, yea verily, to be speaking forth a word from God to whomsoever believeth. Amen.' This style of prophesying comes from an outdated ministry model and is exclusive and irrelevant. While it may sound spiritual, it is nevertheless lacking in any real substance." 39 Sometimes a prophet brings a demonstrative prophecy, such as that of Agabus in Acts 21:11 (which the church immediately perceived and accepted). The same advice goes for actions as for words. Unless the audi ence sees, hears and understands a message without any unreasonable dis tractions from the messenger, the message may as well not have been given. 2. Does the prophecy fit in with the flow and order of service? Usually God will not disrupt a service since a flow of interrelated events enables Him to better accomplish His will. It is helpful to have an elder or minister monitor those who prophesy, ensuring that a potential prophecy not shatter rather than build the serv ice.40 Sometimes what the Spirit brings to a person's mind is meant for him or her alone and not for the whole congregation. Prophetic insights often occur throughout a congregation, but everything prophetic is not necessarily intended for the entire group at that time. All should realize that an abrupt, harsh, loud prophecy that cuts through the theme and flow of a meeting is disruptive, even if the words alone are meaningful. 3. What is the speaker's state of mind? For a prophecy to edify, com fort or exhort, the thoughts and words must originate with almighty God and not in an insecure, troubled human mind.41 Prophecy springing from personal strain, imagination, vexed emotions or personal problems sends a confusing, disturbing message. A hyper tense person should find personal comfort before attempting to comfort others in a church service. A speaker is not justified in waxing eloquent or speaking out of prior knowledge or presenting a prejudiced viewpoint. Church people diagnose such improprieties quickly. Sometimes God's most profound communications are simple, direct, loving statements, and we do them an injustice if we seek to go beyond the anointing by embellishing them. 4. Is this person out of control? The sane, understandable delivery of a message must be a primary concern of the messenger. Is the prophecy presented in an orderly fashion? If the mode of presentation is threaten ing, the audience will be too distracted to appreciate and respond to the actual message. Usually prophecy does not violate the sanctified common sense of a reasonably spiritual, lively congregation.

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