Susanne Maynes

Given the plethora of alleged prophets and prophetic words available at our fingertips these days, it can be difficult to sort out what’s real or fake regarding prophecy.

Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash

Setting aside Old Testament and apocalyptic prophecy for the moment, let’s look at the spiritual gift of prophecy (see 1 Cor. 12:7-11; Rom. 12:4-7).

Prophecy is God speaking to people through people to reveal his present priorities in a personal way.

Paul writes,

Prophecy is for our strength, encouragement and comfort. We edify one another with prophetic words. (“Edifice,” or building, comes from the same root word).

The gift of prophecy is for our mutual building up.

Genuine prophetic words also serve as a weapon to help us win spiritual battles. When the enemy attacks us with lies, we fight back with what God has spoken personally to us – and we gain the victory.

To summarize, prophecy is God speaking through humans for our strength, encouragement, and comfort. Prophetic words build believers up and offer us a powerful weapon for spiritual warfare.

Now let’s talk about what prophecy is NOT—because, for all its benefits, this subject tends to make people nervous.

• Prophecy is not public exposure of your sins. Years ago, a friend of mine on his way to his first prophetic gathering kept bemoaning, “God’s going to smite me!” (“Smite” is King James English meaning “to strike hard.” No, God does not “smite” people with prophecy.)
• Prophecy is not mere human compliments, and it’s certainly not flattery. The words are from the Holy Spirit; they communicate what God wants a person to know at that time. Prophetic words are often affirming, but they can be corrective or instructive.
• Prophecy is not the Christian version of a crystal ball or horoscope. It is not primarily about foretelling the future; it’s about forthtelling what is on God’s heart.
• Prophecy is not an ability to know everything about everyone all the time. Prophesiers only know the bits God gives them when they feel prompted to prophesy. That’s all!
• Prophecy is not a dramatic production for people’s entertainment. When a recognized prophet comes to minister to a congregation, the words might include guidance and direction, but the purpose of prophecy (strength, encouragement, and comfort) remains the same.
• Prophecy is not a one-man or one-woman show. It is meant to be practiced in community for the common good, not to platform one person and make others dependent on them to hear from God.

I don’t recommend online prophets/prophetic ministries as the best source of prophetic encouragement, for at least two reasons:

1. The words are impersonal and generic, not for a specific person or group.

2. Many “prophets” with big platforms have misused and abused prophecy—and people—with no accountability process in place.

When prophetic people use their gift with selfish motives like fame and money, they confuse, deceive, and hurt others. God is not mocked. Speaking for him must be approached with reverent humility.

I believe prophecy is best practiced in the safe context of community, where:

· the character of the prophesier is known,

· the prophetic words they speak can be evaluated by the community, and

· the prophetic words are relationally rooted.

Prophecy is a “team sport.” It involves the Spirit, the prophesier, the receiver(s), and the evaluating community.

When we work together, we help each other speak, receive, and hold onto genuine prophetic words.

For more on prophecy, view my recent sermon below (starts at 21:38 – the thumbnail is my friend Ange doing announcements, lol.)

Also, check out the book I wrote based on my master’s thesis, Prophesying Daughters: How Prophetic Ministry and Women in Leadership Strengthen the Church. Available in paperback, eBook and audio book. Study guide also available. (This book is not just for women—it is for the church.