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.
Due to a rising discouragement concerning unfulfilled prophetic words about the nation, and disillusionment with prophetic ministry in general, I would like to offer some suggestions. Let’s use the mistakes of the past to mature into our future and become a prophetic people who rightly represent the testimony of Jesus, who is the spirit of prophecy.
1. DO NOT DESPISE PROPHETS OR PROPHECY
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)
Due to unmet expectations and disappointments, it is easy to resent a prophetic message that didn’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 can’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. Let’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 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 we’ve been given equal access to His heart. Remember, prophecies are primarily given for perspective and prayer, 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. Let’s place prophets and their words in their proper place as we continue to grow in our own ability to hear God’s voice.
3. BE AWARE OF LOYALTY THAT BLINDS
For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” 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, let’s not blindly accept a prophet’s prediction and overlook a needed adjustment, simply because we like them.
4. 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 we’ve never heard before and stir our hearts and minds to greater faith in God. It will feel like a light bulb was turned on in a dark room and we finally see the light. This is what we should be looking and listening for when a prophetic word is spoken. There’s a difference between speaking with strong personal conviction and under the inspiration and anointing of Holy Spirit. Though the first may be true and even commendable, a prophet must be careful to not simply “feed” the listener with repackaged words – no matter how powerful – but to receive firsthand updates that are fresh and inspired. It is appropriate and good to confirm previous words spoken, but never as a replacement for heaven-sent updates.
5. FOCUS ON THE INITIAL REVELATION, NOT THE INTERPRETATION(S)
And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. (Habakkuk 2:2)
In a dream or vision, it is the original “raw data” that is important to record and share before adding any interpretation. Prophecies have been 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 message. Thus, as prophetic messages are received, we must always be open to the possibility that we don’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 – not literal. Jesus purposely spoke in parables so the people would seek out the answers for themselves. His goal has never been to predict our future, but to deepen our communication with Him.
6. 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.
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 deliberately gives each prophetic voice only a piece of the puzzle, and not the whole. This is why prophets need to regularly confer together to make sure they are speaking “as one” 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 God’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.
7. 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 cultural spheres. In addition, every prophet will have different motivational gifts at work from Romans 12:6-8 (teaching, exhortation, mercy, prophecy, etc.). Where one prophet will have the grace to teach biblical doctrine, another may simply want to encourage 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 “good” from their messages and apply them appropriately.
Though other fivefold ministers (teachers, evangelists, pastors, and apostles) may often prophesy, their unique grace is different than a prophet. A teaching evangelist can get impatient with a seer prophet due to a perceived lack of biblical framework. A mercy pastor can feel threatened by a governmental prophet because of the spiritual authority they carry. These are simply the realities of the unique gifts at work and we must strive to honor these differences without discrediting God’s servants.
8. 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 their state of the heart even more than the 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 – not 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 God’s top priority for any legitimate prophet.
9. DEMONSTRATE PRACTICAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 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 14:29-33)
When operating in any spiritual gift, the first and most important place to receive feedback, encouragement, and adjustment is at home. 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, personal relationships with other prophets are also a healthy sign of mutual accountability and encouragement as they seek to speak with “one voice.”
In 1 Corinthians 14, we are also reminded that even under a strong prophetic anointing, a prophet is still “in control” 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 “God said.”
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 functions 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. Today’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 see what heaven is doing. We may have some cleaning up to do in regard to our policies and practices, but the gift of prophecy is is growing and stirring many to action. I pray we can continue to mature in our understanding of its purpose and pursue God’s voice in greater measure, both personally as well as corporately.
Wanda has been in ministry for over 35 years as a worship leader, teacher, author, deliverance counselor, and speaker.
13 Responses
Yes, and AMEN! One thing I see is that we need to be praying for the many of us who have NO grid for this accountability (even though we want it). We are in places that are generally filled with cessationists and folks not properly aligned with healthy five fold kingdom principles. God is raising up MANY in obscurity, finding teaching via the web and support in the prayer closet. It is a strange place, but trusting God will continue to make a way and weave it together in His perfect timing.
Praise God!
Kurt
How do we “know them by their fruit” when we don’t know them personally. Mike Bickle had us all fooled for 20+ years, and that is frightening, especially what appeared to be a sincere man of prayer. Love all, trust no one!
Don’t judge someone through a “missed” time event because our timing is not God’s timing (Isaiah 55:8-11). We should ask if this event is on His time clock not ours. I don’t have space here to tell everyone about my leaving the Unity movement but understand many traditionalist want things prepackaged di they can ” digest ” it easier. Prophesy isn’t intended to be easy to digest but for us to hear for ourselves what God is actually saying.
The best wisdom! It helps me clarify many confusions! Thanks a lot!
Speaking as one who is new to the prophetic; I agree wholeheartedly with Kurt. Begging Holy Spirit to teach me, and buying books and webinars from the internet. Searching for a community to mentor me and the words and dreams I’ve been given. So far, I haven’t found any but a FB page- and that is not mentoring; at best its an occasional encouraging word. We need / I need guidance to disciple what God is giving in this age! Your newsletters help Wanda in providing structure. I listen to your podcasts and videos, but it’s not the same as someone praying over and pouring into me.
Haven’t listened to yet, But have been listening to and reading 30 days to save nation it’s awesome awesome And when I was watching Johnny’s Super Bowl word on a Elijahstreams it was crazy a few days before on Kats show I had actually wrote down that I saw 333 2 times on clocks while watching! & in another thing at end of show I had 3 out of 9. Anyone who saw it will know what I am talking about~ God speaking through numbers especially 3’s during the Super Bowl. The numbers & the colors are GODS just like the silver and the gold 🙂
I appreciate The 10 Considerations, and above all, #10. Apostles and Prophets working together. Unity!! I never realized just how costly Unity is because we have to submit one to another and that takes courage and humility. As the leaders in the Body unify, a healing in the nation can start! They will know we are Christians by our love!
So many folks like myself grew up going to Church, even Spirit filled, but never understood about the Prophetic, much less the Five Fold Gifts/Ministries, or that Holy Spirit wants us to experience His gifts today! Like a dike, when cracked, a flood of new and wonderful exposure to the Supernatural started to pour out in uncontrollable, overwhelming waves around the same time DJT entered the picture as many believers started looking for answers to the craziness that also came. For many, the discovery of the new Prophetic became the new normal and it was both awesome and fascinating. From Qanon, its myriad of interpreters, to prophets, people did pick their favorites, considered them experts on everything and started relying on what they heard or read, often looking for a new word or prophecy on a daily basis. It must have brought incredible pressures to new or young prophets.
After a few years I started to sense something was off in my spirit; actually, looking back, it was Holy Spirit! He showed me that Prophecy, and words of knowledge are wonderful and for all of us, but they are also to be discerned and not used for fortune telling. I would’ve been insulted if someone had even suggested that to me but the Lord was gentle. He called me as He did to Martha, saying” Mary, Mary,” “you are concerned with many things”…. Well, when you hear that, you take notice! I was realizing that instead of devoting time with Him I was spending more time paying attention to everyone else’s words and thoughts. God reminded me that He is The source of all knowledge and the Expert! It had become an easy distraction.
There are fabulous webinars, conferences, and podcasts,, but the real deal is taking time to be with and asking God to speak as I read His word. I understand that The road is narrow and there is a ditch on either side so I believe our wonderful God understands where His Church has been traversing back and forth and is now giving a course correction. In His mercy, the veil of deception is being torn and we are awakening. He is leading and steering us to Himself.
Thank you Wanda, and too, all of the wonderful teachers, pastors, apostles, prophets, and evangelists, who do see, and are helping to lead. You understand that we, in the Church, are made of many from so many backgrounds yet it is slowly starting to come together and grow, just as the prophets are growing and maturing. I want to encourage you to keep going, keep preaching, teaching, exhorting, and Prophesying! It may not be how you or I pictured it and I confess, at times it has been hard and painful but growth is happening and you are helping us mature!. As for me, I absolutely love reading a beautiful word that has been given, hearing a marvelous teaching, or receiving a prophecy but I know we all see in part and know in part and I must like you, seek, press and rely on Yeshua.
God Bless you,
As One. Mary
I really appreciate all you shared here, Mary. It shows you have a heart after God and are hungry for the truth. I really appreciate your comment regarding how Wanda and her ministry as a prophet is helping you (and might I add all of us) to mature. This is the purpose of the gifts of the five fold ministers, “…until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be MATURE in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Eph. 4:13 NLT You have discovered the true purpose of the prophets; not to predict the future, but to reveal Jesus Christ so that we can become mature in Him.
EXCELLENT ARTICLE! MY FAVORITE TAKEAWAY-
Remember, prophecies are primarily given for perspective and prayer, 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.
Is this excellent teaching available as pdf?
Thank you, Wanda! This was beautifully laid out and so easy to grasp. The church desperately needs unity and foundational truths in this time we’re in. It starts in the church first before nations can be cleansed. We need to go after God like never before and learn to hear His voice. Reading some of the comments made my heart ache because I can totally relate to being in an area where cessationism is rampant and it’s so difficult to find like-minded people. But God is still connecting us through wonderful avenues like Elijah Streams and your page, Wanda! So thankful for the prophetic community who have helped me grow so much! We can completely trust our Father to provide whatever we need, no matter where we live. Blessings and love to each of you!
I am overjoyed to receive your 10 Considerate Words Wanda. Thank you so so much. I mean this very sincerely not trying to curry favour. I relate to those who speak of their need for apostolic and prophetic input for discernment, edifying and just plain genuine fellowship with honouring people. The last 2 weeks for me have been extraordinarily difficult and I have just made it back to your Telegram. I an not in the States, Holy Soirit brought me to this city in 1999. It has been experiencing Holy Spirit which I had followed from a distance. But He was lifting even when I arrived. The last 25 years have been a concerted effort by our enemy to strip me of supernatural gifting and operating in it. Now I think Father is saying it’s time to grieve for these years and to look for His moving again. He has been saying Hos.5:15. I have returned to My place on high till these ministers acknowledge their offense to Me and bear their guilt and seek My face. And seek Me. 6.1. I have torn so that I can heal. I have wounded so that I can bandage. For some years I have seen our enemy, the father of lies, the accuser of the brethren, lying at ease in a comfortable chair with his feet on a coffee table, so pleased with himself because he has so much of the apostles, prophets and all 5 fold ministers disagreeing with each other. He doesn’t have to cause disunity. Actually we should be placing the enemy in the Defendant’s dock in Father’s Court justly judged by the Supreme Judge, condemned and found guilty, sentenced, with Adonai Elohim Tsava’ot executing this sentence on him. If anyone would like to comment on this I would be so grateful for experience and discernment I would love to get him out of the easy chair and into the dock. Multiple blessings to all and so many thanks Wanda.
My website was wrecked by a wall meaning person. It cannot be repaired. But a look is helpful. .
Well spoken Wanda and I appreciate your clarification on this subject. I sense your pure spirit to the body of Christ. A breath of fresh air amid all the chaos that seems to be happening today all around us. Sound doctrine and much needed in the body of Christ. Well done! I look forward to your Godly comments. Blessings, Carol