RO 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk
and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
Since I have been involved in ministry I have met many different people, and among them I have met
a few of what most people would consider to be well known prophets. One prophet that I met in particular was very well known
and his words were heard all over the world. Many consider this man to be the premier prophetic voice for America. But the
more that I was exposed to this persons ministry, the more I noticed that his words were nothing but positive and bordered
on spiritual flattery. This person always seemed to prophesy exactly what people would want to hear and never anything else.
DT 18:22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that
is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
Another thing I noticed about this prophet was that he made a number of very bold and specific predictions,
but most of them never came to pass. Yet nevertheless his words were still being heralded as the next great word from God
that we should all listen to and regard. But with such a poor track record, I would venture to guess that this person wasn't
hearing from God as much as you might think he was. We all miss it at times, and sometimes big, but to continually speak words
of such monumental change and then have nothing happen, is likely not God and more likely just the flesh.
1CO 14:3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
Now obviously God does want to encourage and comfort us, and there is nothing wrong with receiving
a message that God wants to bless you. But there should also be a balance of corrective and directive words that lead us to
repent. If you'll notice in the beginning of Revelations where Jesus speaks to the seven churches that He did encourage them,
but He also corrected them. So it is with us, and even though God is gracious in how He corrects us, He still tells us things
meant to cause us to change. God doesn't just tell us what we want to hear, He tells us what we really need to hear.
REV 19:10b For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Real prophecy testifies about Jesus Christ and God's specific plan for our life. We should hear words
from God that exhort us to change, repent, and to become more like Jesus. God's purpose in speaking to us is not just to bless
us, it is also meant to recreate us. When you let a prophetic word into your heart it is like eating spiritual food. When
you eat something full of poison it can defile and contaminate your spirit. May the filter of our hearts be set on truth,
and may we receive words that do not just merely flatter us, but words that transform us into the character and likeness of
Jesus.
