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

Insights on How to Prophesy

used of God in prophecy, but we do not know of one who has not been wrong about a prophecy at one time or another." 1 0 The Church does not have infallible, canonical prophets. We do have sincere, Spirit-filled peo ple trying seriously to do the will of God. We can contend for one hun dred percent accurate prophecy, but part of our contention must be the willingness to submit our revelations to the church.

Before Going to the Monitor

Before going to the microphone monitor to obtain permission to min ister to the church, it might be well to consider these suggestions: Be yourself. Remember there is a difference between those who proph esy, those with the gift of prophecy and prophets. Do not compare your self with others; simply seek to minister from your heart in the power of the Holy Spirit. Acting in a weird manner does not make a person more anointed. Jack Deere comments that "spiritual gifts occur with varying degrees of intensity or strength." 11 Yet our most intense prophetic actions must not make our message so strange to the people that the meaning is lost. Be healthy. It is best to avoid prophesying when you are upset or ill.12 Speak from a heart filled with faith, not from a heart that is discouraged, doubting or bitter. Do not prophesy if you are wrought up over world conditions or a bad dream. And never deal with personal problems by prophesying to the church! There should be no threats made or the sins of any of the people revealed. Be sensitive and loving and see the people as Jesus sees them. A healthy prophecy brings life to the church. Be worshipful. It is not necessary to be in an emotional frenzy or trance when you start. Be worshipful and "in the Spirit" and you will be an open channel if God wants to use you. Go with the flow. The flow of the Spirit is tremendously important. Sometimes people ministering prophetically are so caught up with their own needs and spiritual dealings that they are not really tuned in to the direction and flow of all that is taking place in the service. This produces an unfortunate message that cuts across the theme being brought by the Holy Spirit to the congregation. Be alert. It is good to be attuned to all that is happening, particularly in the flow of worship and prophetic manifestation. Since we prophesy according to our faith, a person who expects to prophesy should be in a state of confidence and trust. You need not feel hyperspiritual, but when the anointing or unction of God comes on you, you will experience spir itual exhilaration and excitement. 369.