Establishing Foundations: Prophetic Words

Prophetic words are truly words of life that come in timely fashion. These "utterances" from God come through yielded vessels to bring further insight, truth and perspectives into people's lives. Prophetic words always confirm things in a person's life and never give absolute direction. The Bible says prophecy is for learning and to be comforted, (1 Cor.14:31) and for edification and exhortation (1Cor. 14:3). Prophetic words should always line up with what the Word of God says and never contradict.

True prophetic words always bring a sense of expectation and hope to people's lives. God brings these words of hope to get us refocused, change our thinking concerning spiritual matters, or confirm His love, mercy, grace or whatever we have lacking in our lives. Correction may come in words, but is not "hard hitting" and is sandwiched with much love and affection. One of the hardest things for people giving words is trying to "apply" the words to people's lives. This is not their responsibility, it is the Holy Spirit's. He is the only one who can properly do this job, since the Holy Spirit has full understanding.

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. It is not the responsibility of the one delivering the prophecy to give their interpretation to it unless asked. Nor are they to hold the person accountable to fulfill the word or force them to work it out. Their responsibility was to receive the word from the Lord and deliver it to the individual. The individual person then has to decide to accept or reject the word given. Words that you may not understand at the time should not be discarded, but shelved, for a future time that your understanding may be opened.

Words that come as outright rebukes should not be received unless coming from recognized peers. God never publicly rebukes someone in prophetic words, unless that person has an unteachable, unrepentive heart and is doing much damage by their actions. In 20+ years I have only seen this done one time and it was done with a multitude of love behind it. It came by a recognized prophet and he was willing to counsel the person and walk through the word with them. We need to realize that we all are imperfect vessels, striving to accomplish what we think is right. We need to have mercy if needed, on those giving prophecy as they, too are constantly learning.