PERSONAL PROPHESY

I.                   THE BLESSING OF PERSONAL PROPHESY

1.     Prophecy Is Important

1 Corinthians 14:39

³⁹ Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

           

2.     We Are To Desire Prophecy

1 Corinthians  14:1

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

           

3.     Prophecy Is The Testimony Of Jesus

Revelation 19:10

¹⁰ And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

                        John 16:13-14

¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

4.     Accurate Prophecy Is Given For Confirmation And Encouragement

1 Corinthians  14:31

³¹ For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

5.     True Prophecy Will Build Up, Stir Up And Cheer Up

1 Corinthians 14:3

³ But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

6.     Real Prophecy Will Never Contradict The Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

7.     Personal Prophecy Is Not Always Designed To Give You Specific Details About Your Future

The manifestation of prophecy is not primarily designed to reveal detailed information about the future, or give specific guidance about what a person should do in a specific situation. Although this kind of specific information can occasionally be given in the manifestation of prophecy, it is usually given by those people in the Church who have the ministry of a prophet

II.                HOW TO HANDLE PERSONAL PROPHECY

1.     Test Or Judge It

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

a.     The Word of God

Prophecy will not contradict the written Word. God is not the author of confusion, and He will never confuse believers by saying one thing in His Word and another in prophecy. If you get a prophecy that blatantly contradicts the letter or spirit of the written Word of God, do not move forward in obeying it.

b.     Wisdom

Proverb 24:6

⁶ For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

c.      Witness

Romans 8:16

¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Psalms 42:7

            Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves  and billows have gone over me.

2.     Pray It Through.

Take the word back to the Lord and discuss it with Him. Ask Him to show you if there are any conditions He wants you to meet, any changes He wants you to make in your life or thinking. Ask Him to show you if any parts of the word are not from Him and to confirm the parts that are from Him.

3.     Compare The Word Against Other Things God Has Spoken.

Prophesy will not usually be totally contrary to other things God has spoken in your life through prior prophecies, personal devotions, pastoral counsel, etc.

4.      Seek Counsel.

If you have any question/alarm/fear/discomfort about a particular word, run it by your pastor or a leader from your church.

5.     Do NOT Carelessly Act Without Consideration.

Don’t act on any predictive, directive or calling/gifting definition words unless you get confirmation from other sources. If this is a word from God, He will be happy to confirm it to you.

6.     Do Not "Read Into" The Word What You Want It To Say.

7.     Work It Out When Applicable

1 Timothy 1:18

¹⁸ This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.

8.     Be Careful Not To Quickly Reject A Prophecy That Does Not Seem Right To You.

9.     Just Because God Does Not Mention A Sin Does Not Mean It Is Okay With Him.