Let’s say, somehow, someway, you have decided to obey 1 Corinthians 14: 39, and be a prophetic person which the Holy Spirit can use to speak to His people.
Good decision, but let me ask you a few questions, okay?
At what point will you quit prophesying?
Will you quit if you prophesy about a person on her deathbed that she will live and not die; and yet she dies?
Will you quit if a prophet calls you out in front of a crowd and prophesies that you are not called to prophesy?
Will you quit if all of your family thinks you’re a nut?
Will you quit if all the pastors in a city think your prophecies are in error?
Will you quit if you prophesy that a man will win the presidency; and he doesn’t?
I’ve gone through all of the above and more, and I can tell you, it was unpleasant. In fact, a part of me – each time – felt like crawling into a cave and never ever walking out again. You know, loving the Lord from inside my little cave, just me and Jesus.
One memorable morning, after receiving a blistering rebuke from an internationally-known prophet, I was standing on a ladder, wondering about my calling. Was it really worth it?
As I dipped my brush into a paint bucket, I looked up. There right above me was a gigantic yellow-jacket wasp. Without provocation, it swooped down and stung my forehead.
Ouch! Double Ouch! It was unbearably painful.
And guess what? Then, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said:
“Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead, do not be afraid…” (Ezekiel 3:9)
You need to make up your mind that once you put your hand on the prophetic plow, you never look back (Luke 9:62). Just keep on prophesying. If you make mistakes, ask forgiveness, learn the lessons, and then, keep on prophesying.
And if you can’t do this, ask the Lord to give your prophetic anointing to me. I have countless believers I am praying for, they will use it.
Swimming Upstream appears at this blog site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s a little of this and a little of that, all written to encourage and exhort believers in their Christian journeys.
Larry Who 
The thing about the prophetic annointing is making sure that you have your ear tuned into the Holy Spirit before you engage your mouth. I have met several people in my life who I am sure were called to prophesy but didn’t listen to God first to see what He wanted them to say. This will always bring a greater level of frustration as you may be simply sharing your own opinion, not God’s.
Keep up the good work and God bless, Glenn
kingdomkeysbooks,
I agree.
But to prophesy at any type of anointing above the lowest level, you will make mistakes because it is not always that cut and dried.
A person needs to learn how to prophesy in boldness, but yet, walk in humility, knowing he could be wrong.
The number one reason why more people do not prophesy is fear. An inner fear that they will make mistakes. What will their pastors say? What will their friends say? What will others say?
And guess what? Fear is a sin. But giving incorrect prophetic words is not usually a sin, it’s just a mistake. One that is covered by grace and can be corrected.
This post seems really misguided to me. Can you understand what prophesy really is if you think it’s about boldly declaring that someone will live and not die, or that a certain president will win the election? Look at ALL the prophesy in the Bible. It followed this basic pattern: 1. People were in sin. 2. God demanded repentance. 3. The prophet told the people, “you are in sin and God demands repentance or you will perish.” 4. The people either repent or perish.
Okay, so maybe there were a few other types but 95% had to do with basically sharing the Word of the Lord and the consequences of not following God’s will. Today, God has given us His Word to boldly and prophetically proclaim to a lost world. When did it become all about, “Joe, the Lord told me you should become a runner…never-mind that you don’t have legs…God will give those to you.” Somehow, prophesy has become some magical thing that too many people desire because they want to be known for their ability to speak “prophetically”. The Bible contains all the Truth we need and the Holy Spirit helps us to know when a word needs to be timely spoken to someone.
Also, I’m really struggling to understand your experience with the wasp. So, you got stung and it reminded you of a Bible verse and that’s prophetic? The Bible is relevant to our lives so when life happens I’m often reminded of things that God has said in His Word. And my goodness, Luke 9:62 is about following Jesus not about being prophetic.
Nathan,
Thanks for stopping by.
“Christianity is hindered not by the opponents of the Bible, but rather its proponents.” Charles Spurgeon.
Spurgeon’s statement could also be used for prophecy. No doubt that the Prophetic Movement has muddied up the water so badly that many Christians have harsh feelings toward prophecy. But this does not negate the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:29: “Therefore brethren, desire earnestly (covet) to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues.”
Wayne Grudem, an evangelical scholar, wrote a book entitled, “The Gift of Prophecy”. In it, he states that he could not get around the dictates of 1 Corinthians 14:29.
“…but 95% had to do with basically sharing the Word of the Lord…”
Actually, you are totally inaccurate, especially when reading the NT.
Jesus: Nathaniel under a tree, Talitha’s death, Lazarus’s death, Peter’s catching a fish with coin in mouth, Peter’s fishing in daytime, Peter throwing his night on the other side of the boat, the woman with an issue of blood, etc.
Then what about Paul: telling jailer not to kill himself, commanding a demon out of soothsayer, telling a boat pilot about trip, etc.
Then, Peter: speaking to Anias and Sapphira.
There are many, many others. These are just off the top of my head without spending time doing research.
“I’m really struggling to understand your experience with the wasp…”
This is not one of my better written articles; so I can understand your struggle. The emphasis in the article is on one point: If you prophesy, keep on prophesying, no matter what it may cost you.
Stop back. I enjoy someone who has a different point of view than mine, and yet loves Jesus.
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“The Bible contains all the Truth we need and the Holy Spirit helps us to know when a word needs to be timely spoken to someone.”
The Bible is Truth, but it isn’t complete. The world itself couldn’t contain all of what Jesus did (John 21:25), let alone all God’s wisdom. If it did, we wouldn’t need the Holy Spirit.
Prophecy merely means speaking for God. In that sense, speaking a timely word to someone could be counted as prophecy.
And Nathan, you’re right in that a prophet’s main job is to warn — a call to repentence. But there’s other purposes too (see Acts 11:27-30). It is a poorly understood and misused gift, but one that is highly valued and useful for the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:1-5).
Anna,
Great insight. Jump in anytime with your comments. The rest of us are always blessed when you do.
oooo…. this is good… one component to add to prophecy, and you can correct me if I’m wrong, but in the end the prophet offers HOPE. Why else repent? Hope is the super B vitamin that gets us over the ‘hump’.
I once had someone ask me about attending some big TaDa! Banquet a year in advance… everyone who’s anyone is going and I simply should be there too…. I looked at her and said, “I never plan my life a year in advance” everyone in the circle of believers were shocked!
I’m going somewhere with this…. I’ve been saved so many times I don’t concern myself with the future. What’s important is the here and know. The most important word anyone can share is do you have your life in order now.
I see glimpses of the future, I receive words of knowledge… but I’m always right, and unfortunately, no one believes me and they end up in the mess anyway. So what good does it do to get it right? But as long as I have things right with God today, tomorrow is of no consequence. (Minus a retirement plan)
I volley between absolute silence (when someone needs to speak) and outright outspokenness (when perhaps I should be quiet). Someday maybe I’ll find a balance. 🙂 Thank you for welcoming my comments here.
Cindy,
Yes, 98.9% of the time, prophecies should offer hope to us. One of the NT exceptions would have to be the words Peter spoke to Ananias and Sapphira. Not much hope for the pair there.
Anna,
Still trying to find the balance for myself.