Prophetic ministry is best exercised in the context of relationship and accountability. That’s one reason I’ve never been in the habit of following online prophets.
This is not to say publicly delivered prophecy is inherently bad.
I’ve occasionally been inspired by public words spoken to large audiences—but I don’t look for ongoing strength, encouragement, and comfort from such sources.
Those with public prophetic platforms face major challenges and temptations.
Recent exposures include not only mistaken major predictions, but deliberately faked “words of knowledge,” clergy spiritual abuse, and even grooming and abuse of minors by well-known prophetic figures.
News of such evil may come as a shock to many who place their trust in certain leaders, but Jesus forewarned us in Matthew 7:15-20:
“Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.”
What fruit should we expect to find?
Unfortunately, due to our culture’s values, we tend to look for something other than what Jesus meant.
We look for success markers like lots of followers, popular books, and associations with other well-known ministry people.
In charismatic circles, we may be most impressed by grandiose prophetic words, powerful deliverance ministry, or amazing miracles.
Yet in the next breath after warning of false prophets, in verses 21-23, Jesus clarifies,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’”
Let this sink in.
A person can prophesy, drive out demons, and do many miracles, yet still be someone Jesus wants nothing to do with!
Moving in the power of the Spirit doesn’t validate a prophet’s character–or even guarantee they’ll enter the kingdom.
Let’s stop looking for success markers in the ministry of a prophet—not even supernatural ones. Instead, let’s look for character qualities demonstrating humble submission to God.
How are they doing in these areas, for example?
- Focus—Is the goal to glorify Jesus? Or is it personal attention, power, and reputation?
- Attitude—Is the person genuinely humble, transparent, and quick to repent? Or is he/she arrogant, proud, and condescending?
- Money—Is their lifestyle extravagant, requiring big giving from their donors? Or do they live modestly and help the poor?
These simple character tests for prophets apply to teachers of the Word as well.
Let’s not fall for humble bragging, virtue signaling, and big promises of how much we’ll “reap” if we’ll just “sow” into someone’s ministry.
When ministry men and women spend other people’s hard-earned offerings on mansions, private jets, and lavish vacations, does this demonstrate trustworthiness?
When sins and crimes are exposed, and the response is faux compassion, hyper-spiritualized defensiveness, and gaslighting, does this please the Lord?
When victims cry out for justice and accountability, but the response is to silence them and protect ministry leaders’ reputations instead, is this good or bad fruit?
The light is shining on dark deeds done in the name of ministry.
Jesus told us to beware.
Not sure if a tree is good or bad?
Judge it by its fruit.
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