Having a Word No One Wants to Hear

Being a prophet is a difficult profession. There are times when God will give His prophets words that few, if any, want to hear. That’s part of the job description for true prophets.

Much of the prophetic movement today ignores that reality regarding the prophet’s ministry. Much of the church think prophets should only say what people want to hear. Prophets are encouraged, keep it positive!

Rarely, are negative words tolerated. The same thing happened in Israel. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Micah, and Micaiah all delivered prophecies that no one wanted to hear, especially those in authority. In fact, all these true prophets had words from God that no one wanted to hear.

Jeremiah was accused of being a traitor. I can imagine people saying, “Ezekiel is really out there in the Spirit; he doesn’t understand real life; he didn’t even cry when his wife died.” Imagine the day that Isaiah walked into Hezekiah’s court and said, “Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.” 2 Kgs. 20:1. Not exactly a positive word if you’re on your deathbed.

Please understand: prophets may be called upon to deliver prophetic words that no one wants to hear. I have had this happen to me. And it can be difficult if you’re the one delivering such a prophetic word.

One time, I, in prophecy, was speaking to a woman. I didn’t know her and I didn’t know anything about her. I said, by the Spirit, “Don’t move! You are to stay where you are and not leave the church you’re in.” She had already made plans to move. She wanted to leave the church she was in and the area. The minister of the group told me that later, for she complained about the prophetic word.

Another time, I received a prophetic message for a ministry where they were called, in prophecy, "The Good Ship, Lollipop". Who wants to deliver a word of prophecy like that?! Few! It was a positive word, but had correction in it. The song contained prophetic signs. It was Shirley Temple’s (they would be a sure temple) signature song. If you listen to the lyrics of that song, one part says, “See the sugar bowl dothe tootsie roll; With the big bad devil's food cake; If you eat too much, ooh-ooh; You'll awake with a tummy ache.” Yes, it was a difficult word to give.

Another time, I was sent to a movement with a warning: “Don’t become a denomination!” I went to one of the board members (who I didn’t know was a board member) with that prophetic word. They had already decided to move towards becoming a denomination. Needless to say, they didn’t like that prophetic word.

Yes, there are times when prophets receive words that no one wants to hear. Yes, some prophets are called upon to give those words more than others. Yes, it’s uncomfortable; often, it offers no tangible benefits; and, decidedly, it can hurt you when the accusations of being “out of touch”, “out of order”, “disconnected”, a “Lone Ranger”, and many other choice words.

Nevertheless, being a prophet requires a willingness to deliver those kinds of words. Yes, there are words people, especially those in leadership, need to hear, but don’t want to hear. Being able to do that is part of the job description; it’s required, that is, unless you want to be a lying prophet who always speaks prophetic words people want to hear.

1 Kings 22:15-17 (NLT) When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we hold back?” Micaiah replied sarcastically, “Yes, go up and be victorious, for the LORD will give the king victory!” 16 But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the LORD?” 17 Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’ ”

 Personally, I think we already have too many “prophets” like that. As Peter Marshall, Sr. said, “America needs a prophet like an Elijah, a prophet who will have the ear of America and will say to her now…how long will you halt and stand between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him, but if Baal be God, follow him and go to Hell.” May God raise prophets like this in this nation at this time, men and women who are unafraid to deliver words no one wants to hear, but everyone needs to hear.

-Dr. Scott Wallis