BURNING: Pierre Aglow February 2011 Newsletter D

WHAT TO DO WITH A PROPHETIC WORD: SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER AND GUIDELINES
From ‘The Vine’ church in St. Ives, UK (http://www.thevine-tives.org.uk/singjoy/Prophecy_Leaflet_UD.pdf)

• Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. (1 Cor 14:1)

• Now, about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. (1 Cor 12:1)

• …. To another, miraculous powers, to another prophecy (1 Cor 12:10)

• And to the Church, God has appointed, first of all, apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those who have gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. (1 Cor 12:28)

• Are you all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? (1 Cor 12:29)

• If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Cor 13:2)

• And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor 13:13)

• Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy (1 Cor 14:4)

• But everyone who prophecies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort (1 Cor 14:3)

• He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophecies edifies the church (1 Cor 14:4)

• I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. (1 Cor 14:5)

• Do not put out the Spirit’s fire (1 Thess 5:19)

• Do not treat prophecies with contempt (1 Thee 5:20)

• Test everything. Hold onto the good. (1 Thess 5:21)

All prophecy should be tested by the Holy Spirit and by God’s prophet is infallible or equal in authority to the Bible. Here are some good guidelines for handling prophetic ministry:

* Don’t stifle or despise prophecy, but test it. (1 Thess 5:19-22) Though the prophecy may come in words or in a style of delivery which is not your choice, or through a person to whom you may not relate well, consider their words as instruction from God (1 Peter 4:11)

* Does the prophecy conform to Scripture? The Spirit of God will always agree with His previous revelation on the Bible.

* Does the prophecy “ring true “with you? (John 10:2-5) Usually, a prophetic word will confirm what God has already spoken to you in various ways. It will confirm in you a certain direction and build your faith.

* If prophecy contains prediction, is it becoming reality? If there are factual elements which can be verified, are they accurate?

* Will the prophecy bear good fruit in your life? It is the principle of Scripture that a tree is judged by its fruit (Luke 6:43-45). If the prophecy is from the Holy Spirit, it will serve to glorify Jesus by producing good fruit in your life.

* Wait on God for confirmation and clarity. Sometimes a prophetic word requires further guidance regarding interpretation and timing. Pray about it and seek guidance from the Bible and from those who are mature in the Lord. The latter are the two primary means of guidance from God. Revelation about a situation does not automatically supply the power to change it. Pray for further confirmation, especially where the prophecy involves major change or impact on your life. Remember that prophecy is a diving board from which you plunge into a pool of prayer. If you are not sure about a prophecy, put it on the shelf for the time being. God will confirm it to you.

* When the interpretation is clear, act in faith. If you agree that the word is from God, pray that He will fulfill the prophecy in your life. Have an attitude of expectancy