PROPHETIC GUIDELINES: DO'S & DON'TS

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Guidelines

a) These are the guidelines to facilitate the proper exercise of prophecy in the church. Guidelines are included for both the prophets and the persons receiving the prophecy.

2. Do’s & Don’ts

a) Do not publicly criticize or correct church leadership by name. Take such “words” privately to the Pastors / Ministry Heads. The NT doesn’t say "Be subject to the prophets" but rather "Be subject to the Elders" (1 Peter. 5:5; Hebrews 13:17).

b) Do not expose someone’s sin or identify them by name. Speak of sin in general/anonymous terms and ask the Spirit to bring conviction (1 Corinthians 14:24-25).

c) Do not prophesy marriages or babies. .

d) If God reveals a person’s physical affliction, don’t immediately assume or suggest he intends to heal them. But of course pray for them!

e) Unless you have explicit biblical warrant, do not tell a person what “God’s will” is for their life. Do not omit the conditions or qualifiers when giving promises. Prophecies are often conditional. They are invitations not guarantees. They require confirmation, prayer, obedience and hard work.

f) Be extremely cautious in prophesying on public & political issues or natural disasters as well as residential moves, job changes or promotion.

g) Avoid using prophecy to establish doctrines, practices, or ethical principles that lack explicit biblical support.

h) Don't appeal to prophecy to set behavioral standards on secondary issues (e.g., whether Christians should attend R-rated movies, drink alcohol in moderation, listen to secular music, etc.).

i) Be cautious about excessive dependence on prophetic words for making routine, daily decisions in life.

j) Always resist the pressure to prophesy on demand, in the absence of a divine revelation. At all costs, resist the temptation to speak when God is silent. Some of the most severe denunciations and warnings of judgment are reserved for those who claim to speak for God, but don't (see Ezekiel 13:1-9; Jeremiah 23:25-32).

k) Don’t let your identity be dependent on your gifting. Remember that prophetically gifted people are often more sensitive than others and can be self-defensive. They are easily wounded by criticism. Remind them lovingly that they are not their gift!

l) Don’t despise prophetic utterances when things go badly or when people are offended or when someone gets it wrong (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).

m) Resist the temptation/pressure always to interpret and apply the revelation you’ve received. Share what God has shown you and be quiet! Again, there are occasional exceptions to this “rule”.

n) Devote sufficient time to helping visitors and unbelievers understand prophetic ministry. They will often feel confused or find it weird. Make sure there is time to dialogue and debrief about what has (or has not) happened.

o) Most negative prophecy gives insight into Satan’s intentions. Give assurance that repentance, faith, and obedience can stop Satan’s desire for destruction in someone’s life. 

The End ...