In an earlier blog, I mentioned that God is teaching me about stepping into a life of prophecy. I would love to expand upon and explain what I mean by that!
—
Here are some basic principles God has been teaching me:
Our words are powerful. Proverbs 12:18; 18:21
The words of our Creator and Savior are the most powerful. Genesis 1:3
The Word of God can and does pierce darkness and change lives. Hebrews 4:12
Not every time the Bible talks about prophecy is it referring to the office of a prophet. Joel 2:28-29
Paul encourages us to pursue the gift of prophecy, which is available to all believers; all you need is the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:1-39
We are told to use the Word of God to achieve victory in our lives, which is modeled by Jesus. Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 6:10-15
And finally, we have been given the power and authority of Christ to speak life and truth into our lives and into the whole world. Matthew 16:19; Luke 10:19
—
With those truths in mind, what is prophecy?
Prophecy is speaking the Word of God in accordance with His will and timing.
In Psalm 103:20-21, David writes, “Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord you heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.”
One of the purposes of angels is to enforce the will and words of God. Daniel 6:20-22; Luke 1:13
When we speak what God is saying, the heavenly realm is attracted to it and enforces it. When we partner with God through His Word in accordance with His will, the supernatural realm can’t help but join in.
However, prophecy isn’t saying magic words and watching fairy dust work. It often requires action by the Spirit and us.
For example, in Ephesians 2:10 Paul writes to the church, “For you are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has people, works, and adventures that he has set before us to encounter, embrace, and coat in His love and truth, but those things don’t just happen by us saying and believing that. We have to open our eyes, pursue people, look for ways to bless, and earnestly seek direction and guidance from Him if we are to fulfill these incredible works He has for us.
That is why James writes, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” We aren’t called to speak, pray, and stand back waiting. We as believers are called to action. Matthew 28:16-20
Another great example is in my previous blog, And Then There Were Five…
Isaiah 43:18-19 was prophesied over our squad. It declared God’s will to do new things in and with us and urged us to not limit Him to what He has done in the past. After hearing, receiving, and believing that, we had to do our part to live in agreement with that word. We did so by creating a new team name, viewing each other as new creations, not looking to old habits or instances, and eagerly inviting the newness we believed God was bringing our way.
As we proclaim His truth, we must walk in step with it.
—
How are we to apply this? How do we prophesy?
I don’t believe prophecy to be a rigid step-by-step process, but here are some simple guidelines the Lord has given me as I imperfectly but courageously enter into the life of prophecy I believe He is inviting me into.
- Listen to what God is saying. Ezekiel 37:1-10 (This is probably the most famous passage about prophesy in the Bible and the passage that spurred my seeking greater understanding of prophecy. It is so beautiful.); John 16:13; John 10:27; 2 Peter 1:20-21
What is God’s will? What are His desires? Start by reading His Word if you don’t feel confident listening to His voice.
- Speak out of His power and authority – the power and authority He has given to those who follow Him. Luke 10:19
Our mouths are so powerful. The Holy Spirit gives us power to speak with as much authority as Christ did when He cast out demons and raised the dead.
- Believe His words, and declare them with full faith. Mark 11:22
God responds to faith. That’s what He desires of us – that we have faith in who He is and what He promises. Be honest. Where you don’t have faith, it’s okay. God helps our unbelief when we ask. Mark 9:23-25
- Proclaim out of a heart of love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If our motivation is not love, we are missing the point and the Lord’s heart. Love is at the center of all He does and desires, and it should be at the center of all we do and say as well.
- Walk in obedience to His Word and His will. 1 John 3:21-22
He is faithful. We must also be.
Our mouths are weapons for the kingdom of God that wreck the kingdom of darkness when we get the words of God coming out of them.
He is speaking. Are you listening?
We can prophesy the Word of the Lord over any part of our lives, minds, emotions, relationships, past, and future.
What is the Lord saying? What truths has He revealed to you that you are going to begin to speak out to destroy death and bring life into your being and into this world that so desperately needs it?
His Word is true, and your mouths are powerful. Use ‘em!
