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Not sure if this is the appropriate thread for this post, but it seemed the closest within this forum. This is a question I have been asking the church lately, seeing the reformation of the church and its changing face. I'm wondering if the church is ready to discuss this vital ministry to the Body Of Christ. Certainly its a valid New Testament, Biblical role in the church isn't it? I believe they are needed for the church to advance in the purposes of God and for unity to be displayed. Aren't we supposed to listen to prophets in the church, under appropriate conditions of course? I have been functioning in the gift of prophecy in the church for about 13 years now and have seen so many benefits toward the church. Among them comfort, encouragment, exhortation and spiritual direction. My heart is to see every church that so desires to begin to allow the prophets to speak, as Paul says.
Lets respectfully discuss.
Rusty, I was wondering if you would talk a bit about your experience with discernment. A friend of mine and I were talking the other day about charismatic gifts, and how sometimes they are talked about as if the person was merely a conduit of divine activity, rather than a truly human activity that is inspired through the Spirit's leading. I think there has been a lot of talk about corporate discernment in these things, with elders who are developed in their ability to discern listening and weighing anything someone puts forward as prophecy, but I am a bit more interested in the individual who is attempting to discern if God is speaking or if they are.
As you know, the discussion of these gifts is almost inevitably done against the backdrop of their abuses (which I say is inevitable simply because of how high profile their abusers have typically been). I have personally seen a lot of damage done by someone claiming to have a word for someone (not that I want to limit the possibility of these types of things because of their abuses). But in light of this, I think it would be important to talk about the role of discernment, not only in the corporate situation, but with the individual him/herself.
I think you bring up a very good point/question. How does the individual discern when its prophecy and when it’s themselves? First, I would broadly define prophecy as "speaking on behalf of God" or the individual prophet as "one who speaks on behalf of God". (Although there are so many facets and dimensions to prophetic ministry.) Some may only limit what the New Testament talks about as prophecy to "preaching". I agree with them, but only that it is one dimension of prophecy. I would add that there could be a predictive element to the prophetic word and also that it is inspired by the Holy Spirit not the individual.
So is it a divine activity channeled through a vessel or a human activity inspired through the Spirit? I would say both. When I first started to prophesy in church meetings, the Holy Spirit would usually give me something to say during the meeting. I was surprised by this. My church background did not allow for anyone else to contribute to the service besides those part of the program. Certainly there was no supernatural light, angelic visitation or "glow" around my head. (ha ha) It simply was an impression inside that was urgent. Sure, at first there were physical signs. My heart would beat really fast, palms get sweaty. I would get really nervous because I was afraid people would think I was a nut! In more recent times when I prophesy it is less dramatic. I believe it is because I have learned to discern a bit more than when I first began to step out in this gift and because of experience. I might add that the first step to allowing the Holy Spirit to function through someone in this way would be to allow room for it. Simply create a time in a gathering where there is opportunity for those who feel they have a contribution to bring it. Now how do you think Jeremiah discerned the word of the Lord was coming to him? He described it like "fire shut up in his bones". This is just one experience an individual might encounter when beginning to learn to prophesy. I think it’s good for people who are beginning to step out into this gift submit their prophecy to elders or whoever is leading the meeting, however those that are mature and more accurate with their "words" should be allowed more freedom to speak. At first when I would receive something to say, sometimes I wouldn't bring it out of fear or doubt whether it was God or me. The Lord trained me in this because often when I would hold it, the very same word would come through another individual in a meeting. This was a process on how I learned to hear the voice of God. By grace. How did I know it was the voice of God? I tested the revelation I received against the written word of God. If I could line up what God had given me to say with what He had already said, then I felt it was from the Lord. The prophet has the ability to expound on the Logos word often times extemporaneously. To open it up, illuminate by the Holy Spirit and to even apply it to a "now" situation. The Bible doesn't speak on everything you and I need to know specifically. Such as where to live, what career to take, callings, ministries, marriage, relationships etc. A prophetic word could subjectively give direction to a church, meeting or individual. I say subjective because of the room for error and interpretation in either the person speaking or the individual receiving the prophecy. The spirit of a prophet (the individual's own human spirit) is subject to the prophet. Meaning that he/she has some sense of control over what is said and how it’s said. God is truly speaking through the individual, yet the individual is the one opening their mouth. If that makes sense.