How Not To Prophesy
70"I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran."
To reveal by divine inspiration. To reveal the will or message of God. Basic definitions of the term "prophesy." Be very careful here as there is a distinct difference between preaching God's Word and prophesying. "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." (Jer. 23:21)
They spoke as if God had put a message in their ear. Consider the last time somebody either misquoted you or outright lied when they claimed you said something or told them of something when you never did. Think now of the trouble it caused all involved, especially you. Reputations are ruined. Distrust is rampant.Your own credibility is called into question. And, you never said or told that person anything in the first place!
Essentially, that individual prophesied using your name for the direct purpose of misleading and/or misdirecting others for their own purpose whether it be for financial gain or some other reason. While you're not God, that individual used your name as all involved believed you to be above reproach. It is a layman's definition used here only to substantiate the potential damage of false prophecy even on a personal level.
Satan's Top 10
There are many reasons why God hates lies. Especially coming out of the mouths of those claiming to speak His words. Of the top 10 reasons why many will never step into a church again, this falls into the top three at the very least. Misdirecting and deliberately misleading those who really did come to hear God's Word spoken is the chief cause of a church's downfall through confusion, betrayal and disillusionment.
Why?
Why does anybody lie? To escape a problem or to manipulate others in order for them to say or do whatever is needed to satisy one's agenda. From the pulpit, the words spoken to the congregation are believed to be true. Summarily, when they're not, the results will be catastrophic. "I heard God tell me, just the other day, to count on you for a financial blessing. One that shows Him you believe in this man of God. That you'll believe Him for the mortgage and write that check for the building fund. He told me, people, that everybody here can praise His name with at least $500.00!"
Now, what happens when they buy into the preacher's lies and write the check, thereby burning the mortgage payment? Will he be there when the bank comes calling for their money? When the repo man hooks up your car one night because you bought into his misleading demands? When the electric company leaves you dancing in the dark because "the preacher said God would be there for me?"
Do you see that person ever stepping foot in church again?
Sound vaguely familiar? They get it, too.
Bernie Madoff is alive and well behind someone's pulpit.
"Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord." (Jer. 23:31-32)
The list goes on, but how do we keep it real when it's our turn in the pulpit or perhaps in the casual setting of a Bible Study? Maybe even intervening with a friend in need of deliverance? Remember, we're not talking about preaching a sermon here. We're focused on prophesying. It starts with a real God-given vision. If you're for real it'll be for real. Remember, Satan knows the Bible much better than you ever will, so check yourself. Develop and maintain an intimate relationship with Jesus. The Bible tells us we must go to Jesus and that He shall advocate for us to God. It's not like we can pull an endrun around Jesus.
Since the Bible tells us we should communicate with God through Jesus, what does that tell you about somebody who claims God told them something directly?
God is not the author of confusion. His Word is your protection. Use it!
Can a new Christian be called to preach God's Word? The answer itself resides within God's Word and will be the focus of our next Hub.
Here's where to learn more! Don't be a victim
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A Definitive "Must Read"
Less than 24 hours after the publishing of How Not to Prophesy, God led DeBorrah K. Ogans to further explore and expose the area of teachers. I feld led immediately to link her tremendous Hub to this one as it speaks to the same principle and draws it out even further.
At a time when people are truly seeking a righteous and true leader to pull them out of their circumstances, it is without a doubt false prophets will appear, seeing the desperation in their hearts and capitalizing upon it.
So, be mindful, be prayed up and remember that in this ongoing spiritual warfare, our real commander-in-chief is in fact The True Warrior!
Please click the link below to read:
II PETER A Case Study In Exposing FALSE TEACHERS. Thank you for your time. The link is directly below.
- II PETER A Case Study In Exposing FALSE TEACHERS
II PETER A Case Study In EXPOSING FALSE TEACHERS II Peter is a wonderful Book of the New Testament as also I Peter! However, here The Apostle Peter is quite vehement in his need to expose the trappings of...
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"There are many reasons why God hates lies. Especially coming out of the mouths of those claiming to speak His words. Of the top 10 reasons why many will never step into a church again, this falls into the top three at the very least. Misdirecting and deliberately misleading those who really did come to hear God's Word spoken is the chief cause of a church's downfall through confusion, betrayal and disillusionment." This, I also know to be true from my personal experience.
The sadness is that the houses of worships and pastors in general get penalized indirectly for the failures of the few. All are grouped together and perceived in a negative light based on the actions of the deceiving ones. But, such is life.
Forever His,
Unchained,
God is going to call all of those who came saying, God told me to tell you, into account. They are going to stand for their false prophesies. God says, I did not send them, yet the people are being deceived, and the body suffers damage.
Great hub, looking forward to new converts being called to preach. God Bless
Excellent message!
Unchained Grace, I see what you mean this is so interesting! GOD is AWESOME! THIS IS SO TRUE! As you stated: "They spoke as if God had put a message in their ear. Consider the last time somebody either misquoted you or outright lied when they claimed you said something or told them of something when you never did. Think now of the trouble it caused all involved, especially you. Reputations are ruined. Distrust is rampant.Your own credibility is called into question. And, you never said or told that person anything in the first place!..." LORD HELP US! This is why we have to be so prayerful!
Often we have to "BE STILL and KNOW and Patiently allow the TRUTH to come to the LIGHT! The LORD knows the TRUTH in these last days one must become increasingly aware of the rising "spiritual warfare." manipulation is not His way! Jesus WAY is always the best way.
As you stated: "God is not the author of confusion. His Word is your protection. Use it!
Thank you I am humbled by your acknowledgement of the Hub on II Peter, I pray it is helpful... Thank you again for sharing, Peace & Blessings!
Thanks for this hub. I was one who was hurt by a person who prophesied over me and I truly believed it was coming from the Lord. It caused so much hurt that it caused me to question whether or not I even wanted to be a Christian anymore. God pulled me through and I now know to be more careful of who and what I believe.
Praise God! Anytime I read in the Bible anything that deals with false teachers/prophets, I share in the passion! I really relate to the church in Ephesus (Rev 2:2-3): "I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My names's sake, and have not grown weary." I labor with many false doctrines on my Carrie Bradshaw profile!
As you said, His Word is our protection! By this Word, we are to "test the spirits (prophets)". Whenever I write or teach, I try to be as thorough as possible in my study to "rightly divide the Word of Truth", not to err, as James 3:1 states, "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment." Woe to those who have no fear of prophesying falsely!!
Off to Sister DeBorrah's hub!! God bless you!
When and if we do make the transition to "teacher" it brings everything to a whole new level. A writer of fiction can say just about anything so long as it appears plausible.
A writer of non-fiction, in order to establish a positive position and one above reproach by historians, critics and readers must do the research and understand what they are reading so as not to present it incorrectly.
The responsibility of teaching anything involving God's Word carries with it all of the above responsibilities as there is one who, in the end, will know the difference between fact and ficition as well as our motivation(s) for presenting it in the first place.
With God as your ultimate boss and overseer, it is simply in your best interest to critically review every word before it is cut loose on society. God sees what your readers don't. The real reason you wrote it in the first place.
Hi Unchained, Great Hub Bravo. Glory to God on High. Many do leave the church because of untruths, lies or not hearing the good news and promises of our Savior. I left a church because I needed something, I felt I did not 'fit in' I was led months later to a Holy Spirit filled, Bible teaching Church. It is there I was'born again'I understand why people leave some church's. They follow their Doctrine. What I was missing was Jesus,a personal relationship with him. I needed the Holy Spiit and did not know. I am eternally grateful 'God' led me to a 'Christian'
church. Christianity ois a personal relationship with Christ, not a religion. Anyone that has left a church for reasons of 'untruth'I pray they will give a Bible Based, Holy Spirit Church a try. They will know the difference. They will be set free.
There is no dullsville in Chrisitianity. Very Nice Hub.
Hugs + + +
One of the main problems arise when people search for God and instead find someone else's attitude, which can come from anywhere.
When anyone first steps into a house of worship, they are at their most vulnerable point. Like a lamb without a shepherd but searching, they don't know the intentions of whomever is feeding them nor what they're being fed.
Some will be slaughtered before they understand. Others may see and hit the door. Others may find, wisely, that their one true shepherd is Jesus and forego the rest to their own devices.
How to eliminate all of the problematic issues upfront? Ask yourself this question before you start looking for a place in the pew. Why am I really here?
If it's for God, that becomes your focus and the standard you use to measure all else by. It is your salvation. Your deliverance, your miracle and your blessings and healing.
Will you really trust all that to human beings you don't even know? Remember when Jesus led the blind man to the priests to be healed? He knew what the outcome would be. It was important for the blind man to realize that no man, no matter what their title or position was, could heal on their own. The priests knew this also, but to mask their inability, they rebuked the blind man and sent him away.
This happens even today. So, bypass the charlatans and go straight to Jesus. I met Him when I was a homeless veteran living by myself in the woods. No church. No music. No people.
Deliverance, healing, miracles and your blessings Only one can deliver.
This is indeed an excellent hub. Very timely in our generation when false prosperity preachers have proliferated and exploited many church members already. Many have already been hurt and stumbled by these so called false prophets.Thank you for creating this hub so that many will be heeded. Remain blessed always. Keep on exposing false teachers in the church.
cristina, I know I've said this a multitude of times, but at this point in history, as you pointed out, we are to be reminded of Revelation. The warning received by John while in exile on Patmos. The False Prophet and the Anti-Christ.
The lesser false prophets are placed strategically in the best places to do the most damage and the pulpit is usually THE best target of opportunity. People think I dwell on it a bit much, but when the swing has put the evidence right in front of us, it must be exposed.
My Brother,in the old Testament God revealed himself through many different people.Adam and Eve,Noah,Moses,Job,Isaiah,Samuel,David,Daniel,the list goes on and on. In the new Testament Jesus used his Apostles and Diciples through the Gospels and Epistles Even Paul to share God's Word. I do not consider myself a Prophet, nor do I prophesy in the name of the Lord, yet the words I write and the words I share on my Hub Pages as well as yourown words could be taken as prophetic words passed down from God. I love your writings my brother and I thank God for your words. Only He can discern who is a "False Profit".
Dave, you are absolutely correct in your statement. I just read the question you asked of me and shall return with an answer, though you almost answered it yourself just now.
For myself, I need to make 100% sure before I make such a statement in terms of my answer.
There is the 'gift' of prophecy and we are encouraged to desire it, but not all are called to be Prophets. Those that are have a choice to use their gift for God the way he intended or to use it for selfish gain. Each of us who have the gift, prophet ot not must choose as well to make sure the voice we claim is God's IS God's and not our own. There are too many who are just playing games with the gifts of God and do not even know what they are for. We need to take into consideration the devistation left behind. Be very careful who's words you believe, making sure they are truly from God. Compare to scripture and check out the fruit. All that is hidden eventually is reavealed in the light. Dont be afraid to examine the spirits and the 'propheti word'. It is scriptural to do so.
This is why it is so important for Christians to learn to hear God for themselves. "His sheep hear his voice, and a stranger they will will not follow." Personal prophecy should be a confirmation of something God has already spoken to that person. Christians should not be afraid to reject a prophetic word, that does not sound or feel right, regardless of who gives it.
I am a desert vet and a new pastor (american baptist) thanks for the great article, I will look forward to reading more.
Very important and helpful Hub - I feel whatever is prophesied should be in line with God's word. Thanks.
Happy Easter. :)
Absolutely True. I'm loving all the spiritual growth that is taking place within the body of Christ. It's growing faster and faster all the time! Praise His Holy Name Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!
Many times, we need to kick our gifts of discernment up a notch or two when pastors or alleged prophets whose name has became well known begin to speak. For, it is their popularity and supposed anointment and favor that can be used to hide personal motivations intertwined with God's Word. Test the spirit by the spirit.
Christiantess, I as well am looking favorably upon the growth of the spirit within the body. Whenever two or more are gathered. . . .
Micky Dee Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago
You're keeping the eyes on the prize, the heart on the part, the soul in the role!