Recently, real questions have been raised about prophetic ministers within the prophetic movement. Gross sin has been exposed. Light has been shed on secret darkness within the prophetic movement. As a result, calls are being made for accountability among prophets and prophetic ministers. Prophets are being painted with broad brush strokes, due to significant sin in the prophetic movement. As a prophet for almost four decades, I feel it’s imperative to respond to issues being raised. As such, I would like to offer Biblical truth regarding prophets and prophetic ministry in this post. He that has ears, let him hear.
Much of what is happening within the prophetic movement is revealing the fundamental flaws in the Church and leaders within the Church. Why do I say that? For this reason I say what I say: In the midst of calls to return to Biblical truth about prophets and prophetic ministry, I don’t see obedience to Biblical commands. Among those commands ignored is the one in 1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV, “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” The Greek word for earnestly desire is “zeloute”, which originates from the Greek word, zelos, which is where we get our word, zealous.
Let me ask a question: When thinking of Church leaders, does the word zealous come to mind when the subject of spiritual gifts is discussed? Or does another word come to mind? What word would describe how Church leaders feel about spiritual gifts? In going forward, I think we must evaluate obedience to scripture AND our theology of the scriptures. Without an intent to be obedient to scripture, we have already started off in error. Scripture is meant to be studied for the sake of obedience to its commands. Like Jesus, we are to live “by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4, ESV.
Now, to show that I didn’t just pull one scripture out of context, I’d like to point to another scripture that says the same thing and uses the same Greek word regarding spiritual gifts: “[C]ovet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” 1 Cor. 12:31. When you think of spiritual gifts in today’s Church, does the word covet come to mind? If not, then we have started off on the wrong foot of error and disobedience. Further, among all the spiritual gifts the Apostle Paul taught on the one he commanded the Corinthians to covet was prophecy.
Prophecy was and is important to the Church. The Apostle Paul in his writings confirms that teaching. Yet, our obedience regarding spiritual gifts, including and especially prophecy, is lacking. Truth is, much of the Church, including many, if not the majority, of Church leaders are disobeying this direct command in scripture. By the way, that includes many of those individuals calling out the prophetic movement, prophetic ministers, and prophets, for its/their abuses and errors. If I were to ask their justification for their disobedience, no doubt they would have a response. But would that response be humility, confession, and repentance? I must confess: I think not.
Further, when thinking about prophets in the Church today, what term comes to mind? How are prophets treated by leaders within the Church? Does the word reverence come to mind? Respect? Honor? Or does another word come to mind? Candidly, I don’t think most prophets would say they feel respected or honored, let alone appreciated or valued. Again, what does scripture teach about treating prophets? Jesus said, “The person who welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward.” Matt. 10:41, God’s Word Translation. Notice, the word “welcomes” is used by Christ. Prophets should be welcomed by the Church not judged, mistreated, used, abused, and misused.
Further, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul highly regarded prophets. How do I know that? In 1 Corinthians 12:28, the Apostle Paul writes, “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” Notice, prophets are “set” in the Church not outside the Church. And they are considered second in command in the Church behind genuine apostles. NOTE: I say genuine apostles due to the fact many individuals carrying the title apostle today are, in fact, not apostles. Some might say, how do I know that? Many of today’s apostles lack the confirming and affirming seal of apostleship.
Yet today, prophets are often excluded from the Church. Who primarily excludes prophets? Most often, pastors. Why is that? Could it be rebellion? Jeslousy? Envy? Greed? After pastors excluding prophets from operating in the Church, who’s next? Oftentimes, apostles. Apostles can place so many rules on prophets that they cease to be able to function. That leaves prophets out in the cold. Uninvited. Unwanted. Uncared for. Except, that is hungry church members. That’s why prophets have moved outside of the Church to fulfill their calling.
My question: Does more accountability solve the fundamental flaws in how prophets and prophecy are received within the Church? Not really. In many ways, a Pharisaical position has been chosen: “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?” Mk. 11:28, NLT. Jesus faced the same question. His response: “‘I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,’ ‘Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!’” Mk. 11:29, 30, NLT.
Why did Jesus use John the Baptist’s ministry to resolve the issue surrounding authority? Because John gained his authority from those following him. Everyone recognized John as a man of God, even if leaders were unwilling to acknowledge him. John gained his unmistakable authority from God. They knew it. Still, they were unwilling to acknowledge it. Why? Loss of control. If God could appoint people directly without confirmation or approval of those in authority, that showed they were not the ultimate, final authority on matters of ministry.
The same thing happens today. Most leaders will recognize the authority given to me as a prophet. They’ll recognize the soundness of the message I preach as well as the fruit of my ministry. Among ministers, I will stand out due to the authority I’ve been given. Often, it will make other leaders uncomfortable. They’ll wonder: What does he have that causes others to pay attention to him? Who is he? Who does he think he is? NOTE: I use myself as merely an example of how this process happens not for purposes of self exaltation.
Why does what happens to me happen to prophets? Because prophets challenge the status quo. Prophets have authority from God. That authority challenges the status quo. People, especially leaders who’ve served a long time in ministry, like the status quo. They like little to no change, even if their people are spiritually dying of thirst for prophecy. Please hear me: God put that thirst inside people for prophecy. People need prophecy. That’s why so many, even believers, have turned to fortune tellers. They’re thirsty. They don’t know they’re drinking polluted waters. Even polluted waters look good to a thirsty man or woman.
Sadly, that thirst inside believers often goes unmet…until they breakdown due to their thirst. Met any broken down believers recently? Chances are, those believers are thirsty for prophecy. That scenario is dangerous for everyone involved. Church leaders should pay attention. Yet often they don’t. When Church leaders don’t pay attention to prophets, dishonor prophets, disregard prophets, and disrespect prophets, conditions are met for the abuses we see in the prophetic movement: false prophets, immature prophets, inaccurate prophets, greedy and self-aggrandizing prophets, selfish and demanding prophets, and abusive prophets.
Wolves like to be in the prophetic ministry. So do witches and warlocks. They thrive under demonic influence to misguide, mislead, and misdirect. They may even point to true men and women of God to gain influence in the lives of people. Just like the fortune telling woman, they’ll say, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” Acts 16:17, NLT. That’s why we’ve seen the proliferation of prophets and prophetic ministry: to mislead, misguide, and misdirect people from authentic prophets and prophetic ministry. Instead, we have the theater of the prophetic.
That’s what we have. That’s where we are. And that’s likely why we won’t see change. “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so”. Jer. 5:31. And you wished you lived in Bible days. In reality, we do. The same things happen today as happened when the Bible was written.
What shall we do? Repent. Humble ourselves! Look for genuine prophets. Receive them. Receive the blessing they bring. Honor God. Honor God’s prophets. If you receive a prophet in the name of a prophet, you will receive the prophet’s reward. That’s guaranteed. Believe it!
So, to answer the question I posed in this post, no, the prophetic is not in peril. God is behind and will back His prophets, irrespective of how we treat His prophets. Church, we need prophets. God made it that way. The longer we avoid that truth, the more damage we will do to ourselves and others. Isn’t it time we change?
Let us pray!
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