HOLD FAST WHAT IS GOOD: 10 CONSIDERATIONS FOR BETTER PROPHETIC ACCURACY

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.

In my last post I took the time to cite numerous prophetic dreams Iโ€™ve had throughout the last ten years which clarified the messages God has been sending to me about the Church. Focusing primarily on the initial revelations given, my appeal was to see the consistent themes the Holy Spirit was revealing about this nation for our prayer and engagement.

In this post, I want to suggest some ways in which the prophetic community can improve in our pursuit of sharing Godโ€™s messages so that we donโ€™t end up despising that which the Lord has sent for our good.

So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

As I continue to reflect on the last few years of prophetic input to the Church and the nation, I would like to offer some considerations if we want to grow and mature in our understanding of the prophetic gift. Whether personal or corporate, our prophetic revelations are given to reveal Godโ€™s character, heart, and purpose. I invite you to prayerfully consider these suggested upgrades as we seek to steward Godโ€™s words more accurately and effectively.

1- DO NOT DESPISE PROPHETS OR PROPHECY

Due to unmet expectations and disappointments, it is easy to resent a prophetic message that didnโ€™t come to pass the way we thought. But rather than throwing everything out and saying prophesy or prophets are no longer relevant, we must examine the word more carefully to see what is good. We canโ€™t allow impatience or presumption to lead the way in our prophetic perspectives. We must be diligent in mining out the treasures.

While some prophecies may be proven to be false, the majority that do not come to pass are simply due to human presumption. We cannot reject prophetic gifts simply because humans miss the mark. We are all being humbled in this journey and we can learn from our failings if we keep a right attitude. Letโ€™s purpose to grow in our ability to separate flesh from the Spirit, glean from our mistakes, and still honor the voice of the Lord.

2- DO NOT IDOLIZE PROPHETS OR PROPHECIES

On the other end of the spectrum is to place too much hope or confidence in one particular prophet or prophecy. This, too, is a danger. In my prayer journal dated January 20, 2021, I wrote: This is not just a test for prophets. Itโ€™s a test for the Body. We either put prophets on a pedestal or throw them in a pit.

In times of crisis, we are desperate to know what is happening and why. But, God never intended for us to look to prophets for the answers when weโ€™ve been given equal access to His heart. Remember, prophecies are primarily given for perspective, not prediction. Though God will sometimes reveal future events through His prophets, the majority of messages are calling us to repentance, deeper relationship with Him, and becoming sanctified and empowered change agents in our culture. Letโ€™s place prophets and their words in their proper place as we continue to grow in our own ability to hear Godโ€™s voice.

3- BE AWARE OF LOYALTY THAT BLINDS

For when one says, โ€œI follow Paul,โ€ and another, โ€œI follow Apollos,โ€ are you not being merely human?
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
(1 Corinthians 3:4-7 ESV)

We may all have our favorite minister or prophet, but we must guard our hearts from any extreme loyalty that dismisses possible error. Rather than creating camps within the fellowship based on some popularity list, we should value purity of heart and quality of character even more than the latest revelation or prophetic projection. In our attempt to defend the word of the Lord, letโ€™s not blindly accept a prophetโ€™s prediction and overlook a needed adjustment.

4- LOOK FOR CONFIRMATION IN A VARIETY OF VOICES

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. (1 Corinthians 14:29)

Every prophet is unique in their call, their communication style, and their primary field of ministry. Though every message may be slightly different, it is the common threads of Spirit-inspired truths that will testify to the overall word of the Lord.ย Prophets speak in part, and the only way to get the whole message is to listen to broader counsel from other reputable voices in the Body of Christ. God purposely doesnโ€™t give any one prophet all the intel. This is why prophets need to regularly confer together to make sure they are speaking โ€œas oneโ€ to the Body of Christ and sending a unified message. Likewise, the people of God are responsible for weighing prophetic messages so that the fullness of Godโ€™s word is revealed. Though there will always be some variations in the interpretations, it is the initial revelations of the Spirit that should be sought after and agreed upon.ย 

5- RIGHTLY DEFINE A FALSE PROPHET

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15 ESV)

True prophets should first be recognized by their purity of heart and fear of the Lord. It is their love for Christ and desire to draw all men to the Father that compels a true prophet to speak. Jesus defined a false prophet as one who pretends to care about the sheep, but inwardly wants to destroy them. This reflects the state of their heart even more than the kinds of words they speak.

In Numbers 22, Balaam spoke some true prophecies but sought reputation and money more than pleasing the Lord. It was his greed and compromise that made him a false prophet โ€“ not just his biased prophecies. In the New Testament, Agabus wrongly applied a prophetic word about Paul going to Jerusalem (Acts 21:11-12). Yet his heart was for the Lord, and he was never labeled false because of his misdirected warning. Thus, the condition of the heart is Godโ€™s top priority for His prophetic servants, after which comes the accuracy of their words.ย 

6- DEMONSTRATE PRACTICAL ACCOUNTABILITY

For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:31-33)

When operating in any spiritual gift, the first and most important place to receive feedback, encouragement, and adjustment is among family and friends. True accountability, regardless of the level of ministry, starts in a local fellowship, by our own invitation. This is because we are accountable for our character and integrity even before any prophetic words we speak. Those we are in relationship with on a regular basis are the best suited to provide healthy perspective and context as we grow in prophetic ministry together. For those on a national level,ย  relationships with other prophets are also a healthy sign of mutual accountability and encouragement as they seek to speak with โ€œone voice.โ€

In this scriptural passage, we are also reminded that even under a strong prophetic anointing, a prophet is still โ€œin controlโ€ of how supernatural information is communicated. Regardless of any conviction or spontaneous flow, a word should be shared in the fear of the Lord, inviting others to confirm and bear witness to the message and not simply declare โ€œGod said.โ€ย 

7- FOCUS ON THE INITIAL REVELATION, NOT THE INTERPRETATION(S).

This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. (Daniel 2:36)

In a dream or vision, it is the original โ€œraw dataโ€ that is important to record and share before adding any interpretation. Sometimes prophecies are missed, not because of the initial revelation, but because of how they were interpreted. And though the one having the dream or vision is usually the one best suited to give an interpretation, the Holy Spirit may purposely withhold the interpretation so that others can contribute to its meaning. Thus, as prophetic messages are received, we must always be open to the possibility that we donโ€™t have the interpretation ourselves. This not only keeps us from presumption and pride in getting supernatural information, but matures us in receiving and processing corporate words together.

There is also a common tendency in dream interpretation to take things literally instead of symbolically. When seeing global disasters or earth-shaking events in our dreams, we must first consider the spiritual parallels before jumping to practical applications. Many times we are shown people, places, or things to be representative of something spiritual โ€“ not literal. Jesus purposely spoke in parables so the people would seek Him further. His goal has never been to predict our future as much as to deepen our communication with Him.

8- LISTEN FOR INSPIRED WORDS AND NOT SIMPLY REPACKAGED WORDS

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)

A true prophetic word or insight will be marked by fresh revelation and insight because it comes firsthand from Holy Spirit. It will be something weโ€™ve never heard before and stir our hearts and minds to greater faith in God. It will seem like a light bulb has been turned on in a dark room. This is what we should be looking and listening for when a prophetic word is spoken – light and life.ย 

Thereโ€™s also a difference between speaking with strong personal conviction and speaking under the inspiration and anointing of Holy Spirit. Though the first may be true and even commendable, the second indicates the supernatural source of the inspiration. A prophet must be careful to not simply feed the listener repackaged words โ€“ no matter how powerful – but to receive firsthand information that is fresh and inspired. It is appropriate and good to confirm previous words spoken, but never as a replacement for heaven-sent updates.ย 

For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (Ecclesiastes 5:7)

9- RECOGNIZE THE VARIOUS GRACE AND CALL OF EACH PROPHET

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

Every fivefold prophet has a unique call, assignment, and field of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-15). While some are prophets to the nation, others are prophets to the Church, as well as any number of other cultural spheres. In addition, every prophet will have different motivational gifts at work (teaching, exhortation, mercy, prophecy, etc. from Romans 12:6-8). Where one prophet will have the grace to teach biblical doctrine, another may simply want to exhort others through personal prophecy. Some prophets speak mostly in parables and mysteries (usually seers) while others speak to governments because of their leadership gifts. Understanding these differences can help us draw out the โ€œgoodโ€ from their messages and apply them appropriately.

Though other fivefold ministers (teachers, evangelists, pastors, and apostles) may often prophesy, they cannot presume to have equal favor or authority in a field given to a prophet. Issues usually arise when a fivefold minister tries to minister outside of their gifting and grace. A teaching evangelist can get impatient with a seer prophet and a mercy pastor can feel threatened by a governmental prophet. These are simply the realities of the unique gifts at work and we must strive to honor these differences without discrediting any of Godโ€™s servants.

10- PROPHETS AND APOSTLES MUST WORK TOGETHER

But you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19b-22)

Some believe that apostles and prophets are no longer relevant and that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer needed. This fallacy has handicapped the Church for decades and left us with little power and even less influence. Regardless of what these leaders are called within our current cultural context, the role and function of apostles and prophets are desperately needed today. And God purposely put them together because of their visionary gifts and ability to build for the future.

Prophets were never meant to function apart from apostolic leadership and apostles were never meant to operate apart from prophetic revelation. These two gifts work together to build and establish healthy foundations for the long haul. Todayโ€™s prophets need stronger relationships with apostolic leaders and apostolic leaders need the supernatural blueprints from the prophets. It should start in our local fellowships and then multiply in our regions and beyond.

If we are to see the leadership void filled in our nation, it has to start in the Church. Prophetic gifts are not only relevant, but greatly needed if we are to get past the fog of deception in our land and partner with what heaven is doing. We may have some cleaning up to do in regard to some past policies and practices, but the gift of prophecy is increasing and stirring many to action. I pray we can continue to mature in our understanding of its purpose and pursue Godโ€™s voice together – for the sake of His Kingdom.ย 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wanda Alger

Wanda Alger

Wanda has been in ministry for over 35 years as a worship leader, teacher, author, deliverance counselor, and speaker.

Comments

8 Responses

  1. Thank you, Wanda! So much confirmation in your words!!! So much contention right now that I had asked God for clarity on!!!

  2. Thank you for taking time to write this post Wanda, it’s very timely in light of some conversation(s) going on nationally, in the prophetic. The full counsel of God, laid out nicely in your post, is a comforting, safe-harbor from which to evaluate prophetic rhetoric and revelation. Thanks for bringing some prophetic wisdom and order into focus.

  3. #9 is certainly the distraction of the hour. While it saddens me, we all need to stay in our lane and calling and keep our eyes focused upward on Jesus.
    Great wisdom here!

  4. Wanda, I so value your balanced approach to every issue we are facing in the Church and in our world. Your years of experience behind the scenes are bearing fruit for all to see.

  5. I really appreciate your perspective. One of the other prophets I tend to pay attention to also recently mentioned a clean up in the prophetic, because things have gotten “muddy.” And both of you are confirming what I was feeling in my spirit. Thank you for your thoughtful list of things to consider. Very helpful.

  6. Thank you, Wanda, for your wise words. They are very needed now. As you wrote, false prophets are inwardly ravenous wolves. When I look at those being accused of being false prophets right now, they are not ravenous wolves. But everything you wrote is very helpful.

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