Are you a prophet?
"The spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets." The Apostle Paul
When I ask, "Are you a prophet?" I'm asking are you a Christian who prophesies. And when I ask "are you someone one who prophesies," I'm asking if you're a Christian who speaks messages rom God to other Christians (and perhaps to non-Christians). There are three tests you can give yourself (and others claiming to prophesy) to answer this question.
THE TESTIMONY TEST
It is written, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." This means that the essential purpose and definition of prophecy is the bear witness to who Jesus is. This is why John the Baptist is the greatest prophet, according to the Lord Jesus. And this is why both the apostles Paul and John make it known how to test whether someone is speaking from the Spirit or not. Anyone and everyone speaking from the Spirit focuses and honors Jesus as Lord having come in the flesh. The true prophet says with John the Baptist, "Jesus must increase, and I must decrease." He or she is also motivated by love and is self-controlled.
THE SPIRITUAL FRUIT TEST
As the very first quote above says, "The spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets." In other words, prophets are self-controlled, even when they are prophesying--especially when they are prophesying. No prophet led by the Spirit has to speak, or can't stop speaking. And no prophet is hateful or cruel or aloof. Even when the prophet convicts someone of sin, or warns them of God's judgment, he or she does so in love and with the hope of salvation, never condemnation. They honor the Lord Jesus, they bear the fruit of the Spirit, and as a result they strengthen the faith of those who listen to them. They edify those who listen.
THE EDIFICATION TEST
Every spiritual gift has a function. If someone is gifted to teach, then those who listen learn. If someone is gifted to heal, then those who are sick will be cured. And if someone is a prophet, those who listen hear a message from God that supernaturally strengthens their faith. That's what the gift is for. They may or may not predict the future, or reveal something supernaturally. But they will always strengthen the faith of those who follow Christ, and those who listen will know that the message is from God.
So, are you a prophet? You may not be called to that specific role. And you may not have the specific gift of prophecy. But in the last days, all of God's children have the Spirit of God, and therefore all of God's children can give messages from God, or can speak the word of God as the Spirit leads them. If you believe in Jesus, you can speak something from God to others. If you want to honor Jesus, if you love others, and if you want to encourage believers in their faith, you can prophesy by the power of the Spirit in you.
When I ask, "Are you a prophet?" I'm asking are you a Christian who prophesies. And when I ask "are you someone one who prophesies," I'm asking if you're a Christian who speaks messages rom God to other Christians (and perhaps to non-Christians). There are three tests you can give yourself (and others claiming to prophesy) to answer this question.
THE TESTIMONY TEST
It is written, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." This means that the essential purpose and definition of prophecy is the bear witness to who Jesus is. This is why John the Baptist is the greatest prophet, according to the Lord Jesus. And this is why both the apostles Paul and John make it known how to test whether someone is speaking from the Spirit or not. Anyone and everyone speaking from the Spirit focuses and honors Jesus as Lord having come in the flesh. The true prophet says with John the Baptist, "Jesus must increase, and I must decrease." He or she is also motivated by love and is self-controlled.
THE SPIRITUAL FRUIT TEST
As the very first quote above says, "The spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets." In other words, prophets are self-controlled, even when they are prophesying--especially when they are prophesying. No prophet led by the Spirit has to speak, or can't stop speaking. And no prophet is hateful or cruel or aloof. Even when the prophet convicts someone of sin, or warns them of God's judgment, he or she does so in love and with the hope of salvation, never condemnation. They honor the Lord Jesus, they bear the fruit of the Spirit, and as a result they strengthen the faith of those who listen to them. They edify those who listen.
THE EDIFICATION TEST
Every spiritual gift has a function. If someone is gifted to teach, then those who listen learn. If someone is gifted to heal, then those who are sick will be cured. And if someone is a prophet, those who listen hear a message from God that supernaturally strengthens their faith. That's what the gift is for. They may or may not predict the future, or reveal something supernaturally. But they will always strengthen the faith of those who follow Christ, and those who listen will know that the message is from God.
So, are you a prophet? You may not be called to that specific role. And you may not have the specific gift of prophecy. But in the last days, all of God's children have the Spirit of God, and therefore all of God's children can give messages from God, or can speak the word of God as the Spirit leads them. If you believe in Jesus, you can speak something from God to others. If you want to honor Jesus, if you love others, and if you want to encourage believers in their faith, you can prophesy by the power of the Spirit in you.
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