How to process a personal prophetic Word
by Brian Sauder
Personal prophecy is of great interest to many believers. Why? Prophecy gives a message directly from the heart of God. It expresses the will and mind of God by the revelation and enablement of the Holy Spirit. In prophecy, God is sharing His desires and intentions. Some of the words of prophecy may be very specific while some may focus more on general encouragement, strengthening, and comfort. Prophesy will never replace hearing the voice of God personally, but it is a valuable addition to it.
A simple prophetic word often reminds us of “simple truths” such how much God loves us, that He is with us and that He is for us. The prophetic ministry brings an awareness of God’s presence and calls our attention to Him. God does desire to speak to His people.
1 Corinthians 14:3 defines prophesy for us. “But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.” Simply put, prophesy is meant to build up, lift up and cheer up.
We are exhorted in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to seek prophesy for a good reason. Often this gift helps to release other spiritual gifts. Many times prophetic utterances call forth dormant or untaped spiritual gifts that an individual might not be aware existed in them. Also prophesy helps us maintain a sense of intimacy with the Lord. As with any prophetic word, personal prophetic words should be judged. Here are some things to consider.
Test It
1. Does it line up with scripture?
The plumbline for every prophetic word is the written Word of God, the Bible. The first and most important test for every prophetic word is whether it aligns with the written Word. A prophetic word must never violate Scripture. The Bible is perfect and complete. The Bible is objective; prophesy is subjective in the sense that it is subjected to the human vessel through which it is delivered. Larry Kreider likes to say that prophesy is like water that comes through a hose. Sometimes, it could have a little bit of the taste of the hose when you drink it.
Prophecy is given for revealing the strategic will of the Lord: the specific leading of the Lord for us in specific situations as well as His will regarding our relationship with Him. Prophecy can help illuminate Scripture so we can see it in a new way. However, prophecy is never given as the basis for a new doctrine or a new direction that is not established in Scripture.
Simply stated, we know that the Holy Spirit has inspired what was written the Bible. Therefore, He will not tell us anything that contradicts God’s Word. If He did, He would be disagreeing with Himself. For example, if the Bible indicates that divorce is wrong, then a prophetic word telling me to divorce my wife is not from the Lord. As I John 4:1cautions, it is essential to test the spirits to ensure that every prophetic message aligns with God’s truth.
2. Does it lead you to Jesus?
A prophecy should always point us to Jesus. This is stated clearly in Scripture. “If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, ‘Let us follow other gods’ (gods you have not known) ‘and let us worship them, you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 13:1-4).
This scripture from the Old Testament outlines a principle that was applicable then and is applicable now. Prophesy should point us to Jesus.
3. Does it have the thumbprint of God?
Look for the “thumbprint” of God in a prophetic word. Often, though not always, we find the thumbprint of God on a prophesy. This means some bit of information that only you or a few people would be aware of it; specifically, the person giving the prophesy would not have access to or know this information. This could be information that only you know or maybe thoughts that you had been thinking about a subject that is mentioned in the prophesy. When this happens, it personalizes the word for you and helps you to know that it is God truly speaking to you.
My wife and I recently received a prophecy that referenced something we had discussed privately. It would not have been possible for the person who gave the prophecy to know what we had said in our private discussions. This “thumbprint of God” grabbed our attention and helped confirmed that the prophesy was correct for us.
4. Does the prophecy come with grace?
The New Testament prophet is under the covenant of grace and truth and must represent both of these virtues. Truth without grace will at best be only half the message. The role of a new covenant prophet is to equip individuals and church ministries. Prophets therefore must not operate alone, but be properly related to other ministries, including the pastoral gift of those with whom we walk in accountability.
If a prophetic word is directional (suggesting a change in direction) or correctional (suggesting that we have “missed” the will of God), there are some important things to consider. It is best to share the prophetic words you have received with another person in spiritual authority near to you. That person can help you listen and discern the word you have received. This person could preferably your pastor and/or your spouse; it should be someone who knows you well. Even when giving a correction, a prophetic word should be affirming and encouraging. It should give you hope to move forward. If it does not, perhaps it is not coming from the Lord, and you should not embrace it.
A true prophet will speak life to the driest of bones. Ezekiel learned this lesson in the valley of dry bones. At first all he saw was dry bones, but the Lord told him to prophesy life to the bones. “So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army” (Ezekiel 37:10).
5. Does the prophetic word ring true?
Ask yourself—does this word ring true? Personal prophecy should never violate your free will. Compare the prophetic word you have received to the character of God. Ask for the witness of the Spirit to confirm the word. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I have peace with what this word is telling me?
- How do I feel after the word has been shared? Do I feel condemned? Remember, the prophetic word of the Lord does not tear down, destroy, or bring condemnation.
- What is the effect of the word in my life? Does it encourage, strengthen, or comfort? A word from the Lord will be one of encouragement.
Discern the Prophetic Word
After you have ascertained that a prophetic word conforms to these tests, it is important to do the following:
- Continue to discern the prophetic word. It helps to listen to it again (if it was recorded).
- Write it out so you can go back and study it. If it was not recorded, write down what you remember of it as soon as possible. If there were others around when it was given, ask them what they remember and write it down.
- Listen for themes that are repeated in the prophesy. The main message of the prophesy is often repeated in different ways and reinforced within the message.
Seek accountability
The receiver of a prophetic word should choose to include those to whom they are accountable such as spouses, elders, pastors or small group leaders in the discernment of the word. In the Old Testament, prophets were used to bring correction to the Lord’s people. But this is not the case in the New Testament. In the New Testament, apostles and elders assumed the governmental role of correction in the church and are there to help us discern prophetic input.
Every personal prophetic word will be confirmed by at least one of the following: the written Word, the witness of the Holy Spirit to us, leadership, or other prophets.
Is it conditional?
All personal prophecies are in a sense, conditional. They speak of potential, not absolutes. A word might speak of our potential in a certain area like for example business, but unless we start exploring and learning about different options in the business realm it likely will not come to pass. It is conditional based on our response.
Personal prophecies can be postponed, changed, or cancelled based on what we choose to do. Sometimes prophetic words contain an “if-then” statement. This implies that fulfillment of the prophetic word depends on a particular action on our part of a specific condition of the heart. Listen for these types of indicators that the word depends on our obedience. This is exemplified in Jonah’s prophecy to Nineveh. The word was one of judgment, yet because the people of Nineveh responded, in this case they repented, and it did not come to pass. Their response canceled the spoken judgement, in this case a negative outcome, that a prophetic warning had alerted them to.
Is it Partial?
Most prophetic words are partial; they are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. We must ask God to show us how everything fits together. “We know in part and prophesy in part” according to I Corinthians 13:9. No one has the whole picture. Why does God only show us part of His will? I think it is part of the mystical nature of God to keep us seeking for more. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (I Corinthians 13:12-13).
Is it Progressive?
Sometimes prophetic words are progressive; the latest one depends on how we have already responded to the first one. I have experienced prophetic words that directed me to a place where God communicated something significant, but I never would have been there to experience that if not for obedience to the first prophetic word.
Abraham received many personal words from God throughout his life, and each one expanded his vision and revealed the next step in his walk. For example, when he was told by God to leave his country, he did not know where he was going. It was unknown! But as he obeyed, God showed him the destination. It was up to Abraham to believe and obey what God showed him each time.
Is it Revelation, Interpretation, or Application?
When you receive a personal prophecy, it is up to you to grapple with it. Wrestle with the word and seek to extract every bit of truth from it. When a prophetic word is given to you, there are often three parts to it: revelation, interpretation, and application.
- Revelation is the uncut, raw data from God with nothing added and nothing deleted.
- Interpretation speaks to what the revelation means to us. What is the Lord saying? What does it mean?
- Application is how we apply the word to our lives. This part almost always depends on the decisions and actions of the person who is receiving the word.
When receiving a prophetic word, you might just be given the revelation. If that is the case, you need to ask the Lord for the interpretation and application. It is quite common that you might be given the revelation and interpretation but must ask the Lord regarding the application to your life. If the prophetic word appears to give the application, it should be cautiously judged with others whom you trust.
Trust the Lord to give the interpretation and application of the prophetic word. As the scripture indicates in Luke, he desires to speak to you. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:9-13).
Meditate on the word you have received. Ask the Lord to clarify what it means. Seek to understand the theme of the word as well as any conditions that were given. Again, as part of the discerning process, share the word with one or two others whom you trust. Depending on what it involves, submit it to a cell group leader or elder.
Embrace the Prophetic Word
You must decide if you will embrace the word as coming from the Lord. Decide to receive it and believe it. Avoid both pride of what is possible and doubt it will happen. Do not hold on to fear of what might happened. God speaks to us because He loves us. Don’t change the prophecy in any way. Don’t try to make it conform to what you want it to mean. Ask God to reveal it to you.
Pray Over It
Ask God to show you what you must do for the prophetic word you have received and embraced to be fulfilled. If it was a word of encouragement from the Lord, thank Him for it and ask Him to show you ways that you can fulfill what has been spoken. Be sure to fulfill any conditions the Lord has shown you. Should there be follow-up such as teaching or study concerning what was spoken?
Don’t do anything different unless directed by the Lord. Review and embrace God’s overall purpose for you and how this prophetic word fits in. Do not try to make things come to pass in your own strength. Keep your eyes on the Lord and rest in Him. Discern God’s timing. This is the part we often miss or get wrong.
Prophesy is Not for New Doctrine
As mentioned earlier, prophecy is God speaking to us just as the Scriptures are God speaking to us. However, each mode of communication from God has its own purpose that is distinct; the two do not encroach on each other. Only the Scriptures are the basis of doctrine and teaching of the church. Do not expect a new or obscure truth to be revealed to you through prophecy.
Prophecy is never given as a form of doctrine but is given to reveal the strategic will of the Lord—the specific leading of the Lord for us in specific situations and a greater intimacy with Him. Prophecy can sometimes help to illuminate Scripture. However, it is never given as the basis for a new doctrine or one that is not already established in Scripture.
Fight Well with Prophetic Words
Listen to what Paul said to Timothy in Timothy 1:18, “Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.”
If you are embracing a prophetic word as coming from the Lord, you might be prompted to make a faith declaration in alignment with it. You can war with prophecy by actively using divine promises as weapons to fight spiritual battles rather than passively waiting for them to happen. It requires partnering with God to manifest destiny by praying through, proclamation, and holding fast to the words that have been spoken. You may need to overcome opposition and align your actions with the promises that have been given.
Steward the prophetic words over your life. This means treating it as something of value that requires attention. By doing so we let God define who we are. Think His thoughts. Take His word and declare it. For example, a prophetic word might be something like, “You will build bridges in Egypt.” Your faith declaration becomes “I will build bridges in Egypt!”
There is a blessing bestowed upon those who receive the prophetic word and value that word. Putting value on the prophetic is putting value on Jesus. The prophetic word can guard us against deception. In Amos 3:7 we read. “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” God is a loving Father who wants to lead us and give us direction. One of his names is Emmanuel, which means “God with us”. One Bible teacher put it like this, “We’re not called to follow a manual, but rather Emmanuel.”
The Messenger
I like to think of the prophet as a mailman. A mailman just delivers whatever he has been asked to deliver, but the message does not originate with him. What would you think if your mailman handed a letter to you and then followed you in the house to look over your shoulder when you opened the letter? What would you think if the mailman would then comment on the content of the letter and tell you when you should be paying the bill or what to write back to the party the letter came from? Enough said?
If the Lord gives someone a prophecy to deliver, that does not mean that person has the authority to dictate what actions you need to take or what changes you need to make! Sadly, sometimes people who function in prophetic ministry fall into the trap of believing that they are responsible to see the prophesy come to pass.
1 Corinthians 14:31 states, “…for you all can prophesy…” The prophesy we receive might be given by a seasoned, recognized prophetic minister or it might be given by someone newly using the gift, perhaps in a small group setting. Consider the word of the Lord apart from the vessel of the Lord. There are times when the Lord uses a most unlikely vessel to speak His word. Character is needed for leadership, but the Lord speaks through whom or what He pleases. Remember what happened with Balaam’s donkey in Numbers chapter 22! The donkey was used by God to deliver a message to Balaam that he did not even want to hear.
The Bible teaches that prophecy is a spiritual gift that edifies and encourages believers and is not to be despised. This is stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:20. You might wonder why we would ever despise prophecy. One reason we might despise prophecy is that we might not appreciate the vessel it comes through. It could be a simple thing like bad breath, an abrasive personality, or a demeaning tone that interferes with our openness to the message. Any of these might give us pause to consider the actual word given to us. It is even possible that something was spoken accurately but the word takes us back to a time or season of pain. Because we do not want to re-live the pain, we are likely to react negatively to the messenger.
It is important to separate the vessel from the word itself. Listen to the word of the Lord apart from the vessel that He is using. The key is that the person prophesying should have godly character and walk in alignment with godly authority in their lives. A prophetic minister should be planted in a local church. The question “Who is your pastor?” is a fair question to ask a prophetic minister. Discern whether the one giving the prophecy might have been influenced by personal prejudices or pet doctrines. Consider whether bitterness toward the church or rejection by leaders could have influenced or tainted the prophetic word.
No matter how seasoned the prophet, no one’s prophecy is one hundred percent accurate all the time. This does not mean that the person is a false prophet. Prophets do make mistakes, but so do pastors and teachers. How many Bible teachers have boldly and incorrectly predicted a date for the Lord’s return? Even reflecting on myself, when I think about some of the things I taught fifteen years ago, I am not sure I would say the same today.
False Prophets
In the Old Testament, a false prophet was one who prophesied something that did not come true. Prophecy in the Old Testament was required by the law to be completely accurate. In the New Testament, prophecy tends to be more general and is tested by the hearer. However, we now we understand that when a prophet prophesies something that does not come true, he or she is a prophet who made a mistake. A false prophet, however, is one who knowingly or unknowingly (when blinded by the enemy) tries to lead people astray.
Timing
As mentioned previously, timing is the thing that we often get wrong with prophetic words. A prophetic word might be for the present time and minister to you as such, or it might be for a future time: one year from now even ten years from now. The most graphic and unfortunate examples of wrong prophecy have been those in which people speak about the timing of the Lord’s return. If Jesus Himself said he did not know the time of His return, how would someone, a teacher or a prophet, claim to know the time of Christ’s return?
I received some prophesies over forty years ago that I believe are from the Lord but have not yet been fulfilled. This does not mean that the prophetic words were wrong. It just means they have not yet happened or perhaps there was a condition that was not met by me or others. I say “others” because it could be possible that another person was a vital part in seeing the prophecy to come to pass, yet he or she did not carry out that part that was needed.
In Conclusion
Prophets are the eyes of the church. They help us to see the direction ahead. One well known prophet says it like this:
“During the inquiry into the sinking of the Titanic, it was discovered that the watchmen who had been posted that tragic night when it struck the iceberg, did not even have binoculars. If the watchmen had been given these, they would have easily seen the iceberg in time to avoid it. The very watchmen who were on duty that night had made written requests for binoculars and had been ignored. The inquiry concluded that the Titanic was lost, and many passengers died, for the lack of a $10 pair of binoculars.”
I personally have been encouraged and inspired by prophesies given to me. In addition, many times when I have prophesied over people, the word seems to call people into their identity. Often, they can move forward with their head held high, enjoying a new clarity and confidence.
As much as we value prophesy, ultimately, we are responsible for our own decisions. You cannot blame a prophet for a wrong decision you make. Prophecy might confirm something that God has already spoken to you and give you the confidence to move ahead in the direction that is being spoken over you. Or sometimes prophecy might introduce a new thought or steer you a direction you had not considered before. However, it is unwise to make major life decisions, things like whom to marry or a geographical move, because of a prophecy. Decisions should be made with feedback from the community God has placed you in and from the leaders He has placed you under. We must remember that prophetic words only give us part of the picture and that we should treat them accordingly.
