Receiving a prophetic word is exciting. It can bring us closer to our destinies if we view them with wisdom. They are never meant to replace our hearing directly from God. They are intended as an aid in bringing us closer to maturity in Christ.

God is not the author of confusion. 1 Cor 14:33

1. This scripture is pertaining to church service but it also applies to life in general. Sometimes there is organized chaos but that is not to be confused with confusion. In confusion no one knows what is going on. In organized chaos, God knows what is going on and dispenses information on a need to know basis. You will have part of the equation but not all of it.
   
   
2. If a prophetic word leaves you confused you have two options.

i. You can discuss it with a leader or a prophetic voice that you trust or even the giver of the word. Sometimes it is just a matter of semantics or even cultural differences that makes the word confusing to you.

ii. You can put it on a shelf and ask God to reveal anything that He wants you to know from that word through other methods.

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The purpose of prophecy as John Arnott says, is to "build up, lift up, cheer up"
If we take a closer look at 1Cor 14:3 there are three key words to consider. Those words are edification, exhortation and comfort.

1. Edification (strengthening NIV) - oikodome (gk): the promotion of spiritual growth, literally; the things of building up (Vines Expository Dictionary)- the building up of character (Greek Dictionary of the New Testament - James Strong)
   
   
2. Exhortation (encouragement NIV) - paraklesis (gk): a calling to ones aid, thus giving the sense of helping another.
   
   i. Although this can sometimes include corrective words, God usually only releases people who have built a reputation of extreme credibility to give those.
   
   ii. This is often the best description for the words we need because trials are about to hit us and we will require something to attach our faith to.
   
3. Comfort - paramuthia (gk): from para- near and muthos- speech; or primarily a speaking closely to anyone.., denotes consolation or comfort with a greater degree of tenderness than in the aforementioned 'edification'
   i. A prime example of this are the words we get to help us through difficult times that we are already in or coming through.
   

"But when you proclaim His truth in everyday speech, you're letting others in on the truth, so they can grow and be strong and experience His presence with you"
1 Cor 14:3 The Message Translation

1Cor 14:12 "try to excel in the gifts that build up the church". God is all about building His people up not tearing them down. He wants only good for us not evil. Even though bad things happen in our lives He constantly orchestrates turnaround plans that perpetuate His will for us. Our only responsibility is to seek Him first and follow His Word and Spirit.

To recap, prophetic words are for the purpose of strengthening of character, encouragement against the storms of life and comfort in the midst of trials.

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There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). There is however conviction (John 16:8).

This verse is speaking of Holy Spirit. "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt..," John 16:8a NIV

"When he comes, he will expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted." John 16:8 the Message Translation

1. Holy Spirit came to convict the world of sin. This applies primarily to the basic sin of not believing in Jesus. But it also applies to the continual sins of not obeying Him. The beauty of it is that as we follow God and yield to His ways we come to a place where we do not fear conviction. As we increase in sensitivity to God it becomes easier to receive when our sin or wrong thinking is brought to our attention.
   
   
2. Prophetic words are never meant to destroy, they are meant to cause growth. The deliverer of the message may lack training and experience in their delivery so it may be up to you to take a condemning word to God and seek to glean any nuggets from it. We all speak to others through a veil of our own life hurts and negative experiences. Those experiences have distorted the way we see things.
   A word delivered through this screen of past experiences can bring condemnation where it was not intended by God.
   
   
3. Sometimes we receive prophetic words through our own negative filter. Always be wise and take it to God to seek His view on things.

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1 Cor 13:9 Since "we prophecy in part" we must also realize that no prophecy or prophet is infallible or equal in authority to the word of God. We are all growing and learning. It is up to you to go directly to God for the confirmation. So don't pack your bags and move to Africa on the first prophetic suggestion. Weigh out your words, wait on the Lord and pray into your destiny.

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There are three factors that must always be considered. Those factors are Value plus Character plus Gift. Gift and character may increase or decrease at different times in our lives but in Gods eyes the value of a person remains the same. We should treat them accordingly. We as a church are much more interested in character than giftedness.

One of the character issues is immaturity. Some may try to use their gifting to gain recognition in the body of Christ. Giftedness must flow out of wholeness, maturity and integrity. When an individual does not respect and submit to the pastoral authority of a church you should be cautioned about receiving from them. God will make room for our gifts if we do not self promote. Avoid parking lot prophesies from anyone who has not yet been released by the church. I have traveled with and been in relationship with some very gifted and mature prophets. These well known, well established prophets always submit to the pastors of the churches they minister in. That is how they became well known and well established.

Pride and false humility have been other areas we are tested in as prophetic people. We can easily be tempted to "think more highly of ourselves than we ought to" because of the level of revelation God blesses us with. On the other end of the spectrum, we can easily yield to false humility thinking "I don't hear from God" or "I could never step out like that". This is actually a form of pride also. It is thinking more about yourself than about the one who created you. This causes us to withhold our gifting and fulfill God's destiny for our lives. Be sober minded. Recognize that it is not about you. It is about advancing the Kingdom. It is about being a co-labourer with Christ. It is about finding out what pleases the Father and doing it.

Regardless of what character issue an individual is dealing with God values all of us. To judge or treat poorly any of His children is wrong. That does not mean that we cannot be honest with them. I heard a quote once that I do not know the origin of. That quote is "Mean what you say. Say what you mean. And don't be mean when you say it." We can simply say, "I am sorry but because I trust my pastors protectiveness over me as one of his flock, I choose to only receive from those he has released. If you would like to come with me to my pastor I would feel safer if he were present while you give me this word."

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1 Thes 5:19-20 don't stifle or despise prophecy, test it.

1. This scripture generally means not to despise the prophetic however despising prophecy may also involve the following:

   i. You not receiving because someone uses words that you wouldn't choose or a style you might not care for. An example might be when a person is yelling and expending great amounts of energy when they talk. You may be a quiet person who is not comfortable with that so you may be less likely to receive or you may inadvertently despise the prophecy.
   
   ii. When an individual uses King James English laced with thee's and thou's while you prefer a more contemporary delivery could cause you to despise the prophecy.

   iii. Judging the persons character could be another hinderance to you receiving. You are to judge the word, not the person. Leave that up to God.

2. Testing Prophecy involves asking yourself these questions.

   i. Does it line up with the word of God?
   ii. Does the prophecy ring true with your spirit?
   iii. If there is an element of prediction does it come true?
   
   Directional prophecy. Prophecies which give specific dates, times, life partners, relationships, and exhortations to do or not to do something are reserved for the most mature and experienced, and even then all of the other criteria apply.

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Pray over your words and seek guidance from God. Discuss them with any mentors in your life or with a peer. Sometimes others can confirm gifting they see in us that confirms a word given you. Pray for further confirmation.

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Know Gods Character. This is another important fact when judging your words. Know that God is love. 1 John 4:16

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matt 22:37-40 NIV

The Message Translation reads this way "These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."

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Don't fall prey to prophetic paranoia. You have the spirit of God in you and the protection of God over you. Believe in it, trust in it. Perfect love drives out fear. (1John 4:18) If it has to be driven out that means that it exists. But don't let it control you. The potential is there for any of us to yield to fear. What we need to do is trust God to give us discernment about situations. There is a huge difference between being wise and being paranoid. Drug addicts are paranoid. They never know when they are going to get caught. Believers should be confident in the God they serve to give them supernatural discerning. The closer you walk with God the greater that discerning will be. The more you are saturated in prayer the more it becomes a reality.
"The Lord my God is a strong tower; I will run into Him and be safe." That doesn't mean you won't be shaking in your boots. The body reacts to things around you, just don't let it stop you. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is what you do in spite of it.

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Have an attitude of expectancy!

"God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work in us". (Eph 3:20)

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