1 Corinthians 14:3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
Prophets are the mouthpiece of God. The prophets of God who hear the voice of God will exhort, encourage and empower. Counsel and correction from a prophet will be with compassion. Prophecy will build and not break. It is important to discern the words of prophecy before we allow it to influence us. A prophecy from God will always point us back to the Bible. A prophetic utterance will be backed up and be aligned with the Word of God.
A prophet’s primary disposition is intercession. All the prophets in the Bible whom the Lord spoke directly face to face or through dreams and visions were prayer warriors for their people and their nation. Abraham was a prophet who petitioned for his nephew. The Lord God Himself qualified Abraham as a prophet (Genesis 20:7). Moses was a prophet who stood in the gap between a rebellious generation and the Lord Almighty. When Israel angered God at Sinai, he “stood in the gap,” like a brave soldier guarding his city when the enemy has breached the wall (Psalm 106:23). Daniel the prophet pleaded for the sins of his people and implored the Lord for forgiveness of ancestral sins. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws (Daniel 9:4b).
God speaks to us through prophecies and prophets. His voice will bring life and not death, empowerment and not discouragement, enlightenment and not doom. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). The office of a prophet is to build the body of Christ.
Three tests to discern the Voice of God:
1. Love: The voice of God will echo His compassion and love. God is love, hence even words of correction will be chosen carefully. Correction with compassion is the voice of God. Speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15a). God’s voice is ‘loving’ and not ‘legalistic’.
2. Lash: The voice of God will not lash, wound and demean. God’s voice will not be condemning and judgemental but will be convicting and transformational. “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). Voice from a prophet who hears from God will not tongue-lash, shame or lambast but will be caring and considerate.
3. Lead: The voice of God will lead us into light. A prophetic utterance will illuminate our present and enlighten our future. His voice will be confirmed by His written word through the vocal cords of a prophet. His voice brings clarity and not confusion.
Prophets, who bring direction and correction with concern and compassion, resound the voice of God.
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Prayer: Father God, give me the discernment to decipher the voice of a man to the voice of a prophet. Help me to be sensitive and decisive to your voice. Amen.
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