We are well aware of the many false teachers and prophets that will rise in the last days; therefore, it is of utmost importance that we are able to discern if they are really from God.
We need to seek God’s voice, because in the last days He speaks to us through His Son – unlike the Old Testament time when prophets were the main channel for people to hear from God. While God still uses prophets to speak to us occasionally, it is crucial to test every spirit. The following is the guideline to help us do so:
1) Is the prophecy aligned with the word of God?
If a prophecy contradicts rather than confirms the word of God, it is certainly not from Him. We need to check a prophecy against the written word, the logos, as well as the spoken word, the rhema. In order to hear the spoken word, we must learn how to tune into God’s voice and know if a particular spoken word is meant for us. Bear in mind that God does not speak the same thing to everyone; in the Bible Peter can walk on water but that doesn’t mean everyone can do the same!
2) Does the prophecy glorify God?
Consider if the prophecy entails you doing something that glorifies God or man. We are told to put God first in everything we do (Matthew 6:33), so if a prophecy does not seem to glorify God, it is not from Him.
3) The witness of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is our teacher, guide and counsellor (John 14:15, 16), and we have an anointing in us that will tell us if something is not from God. We need to pay attention to the Holy Spirit and His leading. Do not grieve Him or we will not have His witness. We are supposed to be led by the Spirit and not our own flesh. (Romans 8:14)
4) The peace of God
If a prophecy is indeed God’s will, you will experience in your heart that surpasses all understanding. If you are doing something within His will, you will still have peace even if you face stumbling blocks, or what you do does not seem logical or popular based on our human reasoning. This peace of God that comes from doing His will is different from the peace that we can sometimes feel because we are doing something we want to do!
5) The counsel of the godly
Many Christians make mistakes because they fail to seek the advice from the godly. (Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 15:22, Proverbs 11:14) Nevertheless, when seeking godly counsel, it is also important to approach the right people – make sure you get your advice from someone who is truly walking with God, with character that is consistent in all areas of his/her life i.e. the church, workplace and home. Just because someone is 50 years old doesn’t necessarily make this person godly!
You should also seek counsel from a few godly people who ideally know you well. But be careful of the people who would only tell you things you like to hear, and some counsellors who would impose their own expectations on your decision. A good counsellor will always point you towards the Holy Spirit and encourage you to pray when you are seeking direction. On the other hand, a good counsellor will not hesitate to tell you if whatever you are contemplating is an outright sin.
6) Have you surrendered your will to God?
Many a time we go wrong because our will is stronger than God’s will. A person who truly surrenders his/her will to God will adopt the attitude of “God, if this is your will, I will do it. If it is not your will, I will not do it.”
The struggle between our will and God’s will can often be a difficult one, like what Jesus went through in the garden of Gethsemane, knowing that He was going to die the next day. He struggled like any human being - who would actually look forward to dying the slow, torturous death on the cross? Nevertheless, Jesus obeyed. So, be willing to let go of your will, your own aspirations, be they life partners, careers or business – and surrender to God.
7) The test of time
Personal prophecies have to be put through a test of time. Many people find themselves at a dead end because they acted hastily. People who insist on doing something immediately and refuse to wait are not acting according to God’s will.
If God has called you to something, the passion you have for it will only grow stronger with time! If you can’t wait, it’s not from God. If God has given you a calling, it is valid forever (Psalm 33:11)
There is also an appointed time for God’s will to come to pass (Habakkuk 2:3), before which will be the time for you to go through many tests. God puts us through tests before His will in us can be accomplished – if we fail the tests, we are simply not ready for whatever He has called us to. We also need to learn to wait, no matter how long, or brief it is going to be. If God has said something, it will surely come to pass – but often our own impatience gets in the way and we end up taking things in our own hands.
There is also a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) – so learn to flow with the seasons, make the best out of them and do not give up.
The life of David was one of encouragement and an example of passing the test of time. The prophet Samuel anointed David as king when he was a boy, but David took 13 to 15 years to fulfil that prophecy. Throughout the time when he was waiting for God’s appointed time, David was even presented with a few golden opportunities to become king sooner when his enemy, Saul, who was still king albeit having been rejected by God, was right before him in very vulnereable positions! It was due to David’s obedience to God’s will and timing that he passed those tests in disguise from God. God had purposely given perfect opportunities for David to kill Saul to test him. (1 Samuel 24)
This is the guideline to help you discern personal prophecies, or even when you are seeking God’s will. However, if you receive personal prophecies which you feel are not from God, reject them immediately because a word released upon you can be a bond. If the prophecy is from a prophet or preacher, be polite and reject the word in private because we are told not to rebuke the elders by the Bible.
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