How to judge and Test Prophecies (6 Biblical guides)
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
The articulate nature of God, expressed in His Speaking Voice, is one that is irrefutable. He (God) fills the World with His Speaking Voice. That is to say; God has spoken, and He is still speaking incessantly.
One of such mediums through which we hear the whispering and the speaking voice of God is through the office of the prophets.
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
A Prophet is therefore a minister or a messenger, who speaks in the name of God to his fellow believers, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to “edify, exhort and comfort them, and reveals to them the mysteries of God’s will.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
It is therefore pertinent for believers to come to the understanding of the person conveying a message in the name of God and the kind of messages that such and one conveys.
For this will hinder the prevalence of the spirit of error in the church. Most especially when the day’s one can probably say that God was selective (as touching whom to be a prophet) has been done away; and most people under the umbrella or guise of the Holy Spirit (gift) claims to be a called prophet.
The truth unquestionably is that, quite a lot of these days self-claimed, self-called prophet has (by whose power I may not assert) performed many miracles, signs and wonders, sure enough to convince, attracts, and probably enforced people to them.
Despite these miracles we see on a daily basis; the scripture aptly warned the believers to test spirits, for the spirits of error can through empty and self-inclined prophecies enter into the church. A major destructive effect of which is; “it can draw people away from God.”
Judging prophecies therefore connotes; figuring out the Legitimacy, the Accuracy, and the Authority of a prophet and His prophecies.
For this very purpose, we shall be examining;
“The Six Biblical Guide to Testing and Judging Every Prophecy”.
How to Test Prophecies: 6 biblical guides
1. Does it glorify God/ Christ
a. Glorify and Testify About Christ
Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
The Apostle in this context fell to worship the angel conveying Gods message; however the angel on his part did not fail to exclaim His personality (as a fellow servant), rather, he was quick to enlighten Him and testify of Christ.
b. confess that Jesus Christ came in the Flesh
1 John 4: 1-3
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Contrary is what we see these days; self-glorification is one hideous acts on the part of most prophet today; this I suggest (partly though) to incur membership.
Therefore, no matter how profound, or miracle inclined a Prophet should be; if his prophecies do to not lead to the Worship and Glorification of God, testify, and confesses Christ.
It is not of God; they are antichrist, says the Scripture.
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2. Does it Agree with the Scripture
Another way of judging every prophecy is through the Scripture, being the only source of authority that we have as believers.
We don’t rely on Experience; culture, traditions, of men etc. for they are inadequate sources of authority.
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Knowing fully well that the scripture is God inspired by God; hence any prophesy that is not inline or at par with the scripture.
A true prophesy will always find its base in the scripture, because the Holy Spirit cannot contradict Himself.
It is therefore a challenge even unto us as believers to be a passionate reader of the scriptures, so as not to be misled or enter into error as a result of unsightly prophesies.
Judging and Testing Prophecies
3. Has any of his/her fulfilled Prophecies led men to Christ
By this can a prophet be known whether he is of God or not; “If any of his prophecies has come to pass.
Deut:18: 21-22
21 Now if you say to yourselves, 'How can we tell that a message is not from the LORD?' ---
22 whenever a prophet speaks in my name and the prediction is not fulfilled, then I have not spoken it; the prophet has presumed to speak it, so you need not fear him."
Nevertheless, that a prophecy got fulfilled is not the only criteria, for many fraudulent prophets has entered into the world, many of whom has sold their souls to the devil in exchange for miracle working power. 1 John 4:1.
But, alongside the performing miracle is the question that “Has the prophecies/prophets lead anyone to God?”. Failure on the part of a prophecy/prophet to lead men to God suggests the fact that such prophesy and prophet is not of God.
Deuteronomy 13:1-31 Suppose a prophet or one who foretells by dreams should appear among you and show you a sign or wonder,2 and the sign or wonder should come to pass concerning what he said to you, namely, "Let us follow other gods" --- gods whom you have not previously known --- "and let us serve them."3 You must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer, for the LORD your God will be testing you to see if you love him with all your mind and being.
4. Does it facilitate freedom or Bondage
Any prophesy that doesn’t bring about freedom or liberty is not of God. Of course, there are many prophesies that further entangles or subject people into bondage, etc. Therefore, any of such prophesy is not of God.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, "Abba, Father.
Any prophesy that subjects man into fear is not of God.
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.
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5. A True prophecy must; reveal Christ, exhort Christ, build the church, teach, call to repentance etc.
a. Reveal: Mostly that Christ is the Come in the Flesh, and it must glorify God.
b. Exhort: Encourages: A true prophesy must encourage in Christ. (1 Cor 14: 3-31)
c. Build: it must build and edify the church unto perfection, in love.
d. Teach: Prophesy is linked to preaching: an inspired prophecy must reveal and teach the hidden mysteries that touch the design of divines love on man.
e. Call to conversion: Every prophesy must be invitational, the kind that encourages people to change their lives towards Christ.
f. Console: A prophecy must take us to the merciful heart of God and persuades people to His inexhaustible tenderness for us.
6. By their Fruits
Matthew 7:15-1615 "Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?
By their fruits we shall know them. How then is knowing them possible even when they appear to be Holy men, when they perform all kind of miracles, they come in prophetic and pastoral suits (Sheep’s Clothing).
What are these fruits?:
Suggestively (Biblically); they teach false doctrines and destructive heresies, they would force people to deny Christ, they would not lead men to Christ, self-glorification is not far from them, they would slander the way of truth, greediness is in their lives, exploitation of people they know best how to do, they teach what they themselves doth not etc.
2 Peter 2: 1-31 But false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. As a result, they will bring swift destruction on themselves.2 And many will follow their debauched lifestyles. Because of these false teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.3 And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation pronounced long ago is not sitting idly by; their destruction is not asleep.
CONCLUSION:
In addition to the aforementioned guides, another important guide to testing and judging Prophecies, we should pray for discernment.
Through discernment, we can as well recognize a true prophecy from the other. ; this is enabled by the Holy Spirit.
1 JOHN 2: 27 Now as for you, the anointing that you received from him resides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, it is true and is not a lie. Just as it has taught you, you reside in him.
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