1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 “Do not despise prophecies. (21) Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
In this section we want to discuss scriptural guidelines for testing the gift of prophecy. In the above quoted passage of scripture the apostle Paul teaches us that we are to test all things, and in the context of this passage Paul is specifically referring to prophecies. As already mentioned, the reason we test prophecies is because the prophet is speaking on behalf of the Holy Spirit, which means that if the prophets’ word is correct the church should be obedient to act on that word. If the prophetic word spoken is incorrect however, then the church should ignore that which was spoken. We have said that the primary method we use to test prophecy is to judge it against scripture. In other words if the prophecy falls in line with the written word of God then it is safe to say that the Holy Spirit has initiated that prophecy. If the prophecy contradicts the written word of God however, then the prophecy can clearly be judged to have not been initiated by the Holy Spirit. We said that in those instances it is up to the leadership of the church to guide both the church and the one who gave the prophecy, in order to keep both parties on the correct path. It is important that this principle is applied consistently to all prophetic words given, even for prophecies that are given by recognized prophets in the church. The reason I say that is because there is a tendency in some parts of the church to no longer test prophecies given by certain prophets, purely because they have recognized prophetic ministries. Nevertheless even among genuine prophets with recognized ministries, I have on occasions heard them prophesy according to personal doctrines which they believe but which are contrary to sound bible doctrine. Obviously in those instances the prophet has spoken out of their own understanding, and not by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And so we see that although the gift itself is perfect, the vessel through which the gift is manifested is imperfect.
1 Corinthians 12:3 “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”
The context of the above quoted passage of scripture is specifically dealing with prophecy. In this passage the apostle Paul gives us a further test that can be applied to prophecy to determine whether the word spoken is inspired by the Holy Spirit or not. Amazingly, this passage reveals to us is that it is entirely possible for an individual in a church gathering to prophesy by a demonic spirit. When individuals speak under the inspiration of demonic spirits, very often accurate words of knowledge are included in the prophecy to demonstrate the supernatural. Because the supernatural is clearly demonstrated through the prophetic word given, many can be fooled into thinking that the prophetic word must be from God. Something that will always be evident in prophecies inspired by demonic spirits however, is a sidelining of the Lordship of Jesus, for Paul teaches us in this passage that demons cannot acknowledge Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit on the other hand will always elevate Jesus as Lord, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10).
1 John 4:1-3 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (2) By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, (3) and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”
The context of the above quoted passage of scripture deals mainly with prophecy, for in this passage the apostle John teaches us to test the spirits of prophets to determine whether they are genuine or false. And so, John gives us a further test that can be applied to determine whether a prophecy is inspired by the Holy Spirit or not. In this passage John highlights the same thing that Paul did, but he uses a slightly different test, i.e. the spirit’s ability to acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. And so we see that just as demons cannot acknowledge Jesus as Lord, prophecies uttered by inspiration of demonic spirits will also not acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. In other words what will be evidenced in prophecies inspired by demonic spirits is the downplaying of the finished work of salvation that Jesus has accomplished through the cross. These types of prophecies will always suggest that more still needs to be done in order to attain salvation. The Holy Spirit on the other hand, will always testify to finished work that that Jesus has accomplished on the cross, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 “And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?'-- (22) when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”
There is another type of prophecy that has a predictive element to it. This type of prophecy does not speak to the church to encourage or teach her, but rather to inform her of significant events that are about to take place. Because these types of prophecies are very specific, they cannot be tested against scripture and they also cannot be tested against the testimony of Jesus. With regards to these types of prophecies the above quoted passage of scripture teaches us how to test whether they are from the Lord or not. Quite simply the Lord says that if the prophecy comes to pass then it is from the Lord, and if the prophecy doesn’t come to pass then it is not from the Lord. Obviously testing these types of prophecies in hindsight is easy. However, a problem arises when the prophetic word given requires the church to act before it comes to pass.
Michael E.B. Maher
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