Friday, February 22, 2013

Hearing God's Voice: Discerning True Prophecy from Your Own Thoughts

Soulish and Spiritual Prophetic Words 

Today, I want to talk about something that weighs on a lot of our hearts:  how to tell the difference between a true prophetic word and one that stems from our own desires. 

We've all been there, right?  You feel that nudge to share a word, that prophetic message stirring inside you.  But then the doubts creep in.  Is this really from God, or am I just making it up in my head?

Sifting Through the Noise

Hebrews 4:12 has become a key verse for me.  It talks about the Word of God dividing between soul and spirit.  That really hits home.  Discernment is crucial. We need to be able to distinguish between a prophetic word from the Holy Spirit and one that comes from our own thoughts or interpretations. 

True Prophecy: An Event, Not a Fabrication


Genuine prophetic words are distinct experiences, unlike words we simply formulate in our minds.  Think about the powerful visions of prophets like Peter, John, and Isaiah. Their encounters with God were undeniable events, not products of their imaginations.

The Gift of Prophecy Belongs to God


Let's remember, the gift of prophecy is bestowed by God, not something we can conjure up ourselves.  Take King Saul, for example.  He initially prophesied by being around other prophetic people (see Exodus). But true prophetic ministry comes from the Holy Spirit, not from just hanging out with the gifted.

Guarding Against False Words


False prophets prophesying out of their own hearts are a real danger.  Discernment is essential to avoid being misled by those who may not be speaking for God.

King Saul: A Lesson in Discernment


King Saul's story is a cautionary tale.  He initially prophesied through the Holy Spirit but later sought guidance outside of God's will.  This underlines the importance of staying connected to the true source of prophecy.

The Pitfalls of Soulish Words


Words originating from the soul can be misleading and lack the power of true prophetic utterances.  Learning to discern the difference is key to operating effectively in our prophetic gifts. 

Tuning In to the Holy Spirit


How do we cultivate the ability to hear God's voice clearly?  It involves quieting the inner noise of our carnal minds, which can resist the things of God.  And pay attention to your dreams! God may speak to us through them, just like He did with Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dreams.

Your Invitation to Deeper Connection


Don't settle for soulish words.  Seek a genuine connection with the Holy Spirit.  Pursue ways to deepen your discernment, as 1 John 4:1 instructs us to test the spirits to see if they are from God.

Growing in Your Gifts


By learning to distinguish between soulish and spiritual words, we can grow in our prophetic gifts and receive the true messages God has for us and for those around us. 

Let's keep learning and growing together in our prophetic journeys! 



I referred to the scriptures from memory (not all were spot on!  lol)   so here they are for your reference:

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Job 33:14-16 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. (15) In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; (16) Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

Romans 8:6-9 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Was that a check in your spirit? or in your soul? 

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Joh_10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Joh_10:27 (KJV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Jer_23:16 (KJV) Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
Jer_23:26 (KJV) How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
Eze_13:17 (KJV) Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

Jeremiah 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.


1 Samuel 10:5-6 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: (6) And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

......
1 Samuel 10:10-11 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. (11) And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?


I thought this was Exodus in the vid....
Numbers 11:27-29 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. (28) And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. (29) And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

1 Samuel 28:6-7 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. (7) Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

1 Samuel 28:15-16 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. (16) Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

Jesus Rules!  

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