Do Not Let the Polluted Waters of the Prophetic Distract You From the River of God.  He Still Speaks!

February 28th, 2024

By: David Hoskins

In old testament days the prophets were the spokesmen for God, speaking the words of the Lord given them by God.  This mode was God’s primary way of speaking to man.  At times He spoke directly and at times He would speak to man through His messengers, the angels.  

Zechariah 1:14-16 (NIV)

14 Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, 15 and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they went too far with the punishment.’

16 “Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the LORD Almighty.

There were times when the prophets would prophesy falsely leaving the people confused and bewildered.  There were even some who were false prophets and who attempted to prophecy lies to keep the people from hearing the true word of God.  

Jeremiah 5:31 (NIV)

31 The prophets prophesy lies,

the priests rule by their own authority,

and my people love it this way.

But what will you do in the end?

Jeremiah 23:25-32 (NIV)

25 “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the LORD. 29 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

30 “Therefore,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. 31 Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The LORD declares.’ 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams, ” declares the LORD. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the LORD.

Jesus Came that We Might All Have Access to the Voice of God

Once Jesus came, was resurrected and the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church,  we each were given greater access to the voice of God.  Each believer can now hear the Lord and move accordingly as they are led by Holy Spirit.  This is not to say that we no longer have need of prophets for prophets are a key part of the five-fold equipping gifts and government of the kingdom.  One thing that has shifted significantly from old testament days to new testament days is the measure of accountability that is brought to the prophets.   

Prophets can no longer prophesy lies because their words are scrutinized and judged or at least they should be. 

1 Corinthians 14:29-32 (NIV)

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.

Even with the accountability processes in place and new testament protocol clearly stated in scripture by the apostles, people still fall prey to lying prophets and self aggrandizing narcissists.      

The same things are happening in our day as they were in times of old as prophetic wannabes fill social media platforms with their latest revelatory charade.  The people of God need to grow up and learn the importance of testing prophetic words and the fruit of those who call themselves prophets.  How are the saints to wade through the many opposing sounds in order to mine the gold that heaven desires for us to have?  believe a key part of our answer comes as the body of Christ learns to grow up in a greater understanding of the government of the Kingdom and more importantly how the saints align with leaders who represent the government of the King.  We all represent government on one level or another but there are true checks and balances in the body of Christ.   If we do not learn to walk in a more mature way then the wolves will rule the day.

Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

We must learn how to align ourselves more succinctly with those who move in governmental authority.  

Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.    

Another key issue, as believers, is to know who is speaking the words we are listening to.  Do not just trust every voice as many are out there running reckless and who have no accountability with or in their ministry.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 (KJV)

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

There should be accountability in the life of those who prophesy.  Governmental integrity will be key in the days ahead as Antichrist structures driven with a false narrative will work overtime to turn people away from God.  

Matthew 24:24 (NIV)

24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Revelation 16:13-14 (NIV)

13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

Revelation 19:20 (NIV)

20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Indifference and Hysteria In the Ranks

Many in the body of Christ are growing indifferent to the prophetic words being spoken about hard times coming.   Some prophetic voices out there have missed the mark in previous seasons leaving the saints a little indifferent because of error causing confusion and disappointment.  Others have chosen to throw the baby out with the bath water all together.  You can only cry wolf so many times before people stop listening.   The prophetic waters must be cleansed or at least we must learn to drink from pure streams.  Even with the errors of the past by some, we must continue to celebrate the voice of God.  

Bad prophecy can leave us hope deferred, indifferent or at the very least double minded but let me be clear.   We must not become double minded about prophecy for it is a weapon in the hands of a mature body.  

James 1:8 (KJV)

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

In scripture the onus is on the hearer to do diligence and judge the prophetic words being spoken.  It is our responsibility to know those we are listening to and discern the fruit of their ministry accurately.  We must learn to judge the prophetic by listening to Holy Spirit and responding as He leads.  

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NIV)

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

It seems we will always have those who cherish the prophetic ramblings connected with end times hysteria.  Some love to hang upon every prophetic word that is spoken from 25 different camps, no filter included, as if the words themselves are gospel.  They weave the words together as if they are discovering a new Divinci code that will save the day.  Help us Jesus.  Don’t let the crazies gain a stage.  

I say all this to say there is a safe path forward.  We must heed the prophetic and grow in our ability to move with the spiritual intelligence from heaven that will unravel the works of darkness in our land.  We greatly need the prophetic and the prophets.  

Believe and Remain Faithful to His Prophets and Prosper

2 Chronicles 20:20 (AMP)

20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established; believe and remain steadfast to His prophets and you shall prosper.

God is Speaking, Are We Listening?

Amos 3:7 (AMP)

7 Surely the Lord God will do nothingwithout revealing His secret to His servants the prophets.

In a time when so many voices are clamoring to be heard we must learn how to hear by the Spirit what the Lord is saying to the church.   I believe the earth is longing for the true sons of God to discover our stewardship and learn to occupy.  Difficult times are coming before we see that day  coming into full fruition.  We must learn to listen and move with Holy Spirit.  

Time To Come Near and Listen

James 4:8-10 (NIV)

8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Let humility be our posture, integrity be our aim , accuracy be our measure and the fruit of Holy Spirit follow us always.