Thoughts on Prophetic Words

[Cephar]

I'm seeking a prophetic word but do not know how to go about it. There's a situation in my life that I don't know if I am hearing God clearly about it. It's been the source of so much stress and strife for the last 3 years.

I guess I feel a little silly for even bringing this up. I'm aware that not everyone accepts the idea of a prophetic word when there is the Bible and God can now speak to us because of the new covenant. Prophetic words can even be misleading which is why it must always be tested, as well. But I guess I need insight because I can't really see the whole picture. I'm a giant mess, to put it in a nutshell.

 

[aiki]

I'm seeking a prophetic word but do not know how to go about it. There's a situation in my life that I don't know if I am hearing God clearly about it. It's been the source of so much stress and strife for the last 3 years.

I guess I feel a little silly for even bringing this up. I'm aware that not everyone accepts the idea of a prophetic word when there is the Bible and God can now speak to us because of the new covenant. Prophetic words can even be misleading which is why it must always be tested, as well. But I guess I need insight because I can't really see the whole picture. I'm a giant mess, to put it in a nutshell.

You know, you won't find a single verse in Scripture that urges you to seek out a "prophetic word" in order to know God's will. "God is not the author of confusion," the apostle Paul wrote, so He is not working to obscure His will from you. God has given you all that you need in His Word in order to make good decisions and obey His will. When I come to a cross-road in life, I simply apply the wisdom of God's Word to the decision as best I can and then simply act, allowing God to correct my course as He sees fit.

Usually, when I find myself paralyzed with indecision, it is because I know deep down one of the options is the right one to take but I don't want to take it. Perhaps this is your problem? Just a thought.

Selah.

 

[seeingeyes]

Does it look like Christ? If yes, then do it. If no, then don't.

 

[BFine]

Go straight to the Lord with whatever is troubling you--
you can also have other mature Christians at church praying with you
about the situation or matter that is causing you unrest.

 

[Forge3]

All of the advice above. And you may speak with your pastor.

 

[paul1149]

Looking for a prophetic word is essentially asking to hear from God. There's nothing wrong with that.

If you're not hearing from God, you may need to quiet your soul more. The way to do that is to turn the issue over to Him and His sovereignty, and to wait for Him to respond. You may need to look harder too - by talking to spirit-led people about it, prayerfully meditating on the Word, etc. But the first step is to calm the soul by inviting His sovereignty over the situation (jn 7.17). And then wait in faith that He indeed cares about you and will answer (James 1.1-5, 3.17-, Mark 11.22-)

 

[tturt]

They're to serve the body of Christ - Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers"

 

[parsley]

Prophetic words can even be misleading which is why it must always be tested, as well. But I guess I need insight because I can't really see the whole picture.

What strikes me here -- instead of asking for wisdom and knowledge, you are asking for inspired insight from strangers who know the same God you do. It is like asking a plumber to do a carpenter's work. Needing a car repair but instead asking for a snow brush. It is true that God can deliver an answer, but maybe what He wants out of the situation is for you to discover wisdom and knowledge.

I don't know your situation, but it sounds like you need concrete, solid guidance that will help you make an informed decision. It is not unspiritual to research and ask questions. Or to let a counselor review the situation and give you perspective. Maybe you even need lawyers, accountants, or medical input. Are there people already in your life who can give you a more informed perspective on your situation?

Ecclesiastes 7:12
Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge
is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.

Proverbs 8:35
Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.

Psalm 119:24
Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an
abundance of counselors there is safety.


These verses all promote a sensible, informed approach to decision-making. There are people who are prophetic who do not just jump out with popcorn eurekas, but kindly take the time to hear about a situation and bring insight to it. Information does not steal from the impact of God's revelation. He is the author of knowledge and wisdom.

Jesus and the New Testament writers ask us to do all things in love. To use the gifts with love in mind. Is it more loving to sit down and talk with someone, sharing experiences and what God has put on their mind... or to throw magical solutions out for people to catch and take home. I strongly believe that God speaks through people prophetically, but we are responsible for how we carry these gifts and deliver them to others.

As you say, it is difficult to know whom to trust, and who is speaking out pure prophecy.

I apologize for turning your request for help into a philosophical conversation, but I have seen many times when God was silent, and our methods were off -- the approach was our assumed best approach. God works on our character, the way we treat others, the way we present the gospel... not just the direct solutions to the single problem.

I know most of the people on this thread well enough to say they could give you wonderful advice if you PM'd them. Most are also supportive of the prophetic, so you might get double help.

 

[dysert]

Like everyone, I've come to many crossroads in life. Most of the time I wasn't sure which way to go. Even with the benefit of hindsight, I'm *still* not sure if some of them were the right ones. However, I think the key to making decisions is to simply weigh the decision against Scripture and to pray. Assuming neither path violates Scripture and that the Spirit doesn't definitively direct you one way or the other, I think you could take either path and be ok -- so long as you "allow God" to redirect you should He want to. I figure that if God had a preference and I was seeking His will, He would either let me know ahead of time or He would make a mid-course correction. And it's entirely possible that He doesn't have a preference anyway!

 

[jsimms615]

I'm seeking a prophetic word but do not know how to go about it. There's a situation in my life that I don't know if I am hearing God clearly about it. It's been the source of so much stress and strife for the last 3 years.

I guess I feel a little silly for even bringing this up. I'm aware that not everyone accepts the idea of a prophetic word when there is the Bible and God can now speak to us because of the new covenant. Prophetic words can even be misleading which is why it must always be tested, as well. But I guess I need insight because I can't really see the whole picture. I'm a giant mess, to put it in a nutshell.

I've had very few times in the last thirty years where someone said a prophetic word over me and the one time that I clearly remember specific words they turned out wrong. I have also found that I really don't need to know all the details for God to do something in my life. In fact, sometimes when I do know the details I end up being more of a hindrance than a help.

The faith that God gives me is more like a flashlight than a spotlight. It helps me see the next step not ten steps down the road. That is so I will trust him more with what I do not see.

 

[parsley]

I've had very few times in the last thirty years where someone said a prophetic word over me and the one time that I clearly remember specific words they turned out wrong. I have also found that I really don't need to know all the details for God to do something in my life. In fact, sometimes when I do know the details I end up being more of a hindrance than a help.

The faith that God gives me is more like a flashlight than a spotlight. It helps me see the next step not ten steps down the road. That is so I will trust him more with what I do not see.

Assuming neither path violates Scripture and that the Spirit doesn't definitively direct you one way or the other, I think you could take either path and be ok -- so long as you "allow God" to redirect you should He want to. I figure that if God had a preference and I was seeking His will, He would either let me know ahead of time or He would make a mid-course correction. And it's entirely possible that He doesn't have a preference anyway!

Great points.
Sometimes we stress over a perfect direction because we want perfection. We want to make sure we don't look wrong or unwise, or endure criticism from others.

Look at the life of Abraham. We see God intervening at certain junctures, and we know that God would have stayed with him in between, but it was unlikely that God micromanaged Abraham's life. There were huge gaps of decades that were not written about.

Or Moses -- who killed a man on his way toward doing God's perfect will. God forgave and used him to accomplish much. God covers our poor judgments, and keeps moving.

Our perception of God, what He wants for us might be different than we assume. That is another thing He might be working on in you -- especially if parents were driven and particular about your behavior and accomplishments. (Now I'm getting too far off track, and making assumptions, sorry.)

 

[pamsight]

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but it's end is the way to death"
I have no idea why, but this verse kept coming to mind while I was reading this thread. It's Proverbs 14:12.