Prophets and the Cult of Risk

Since the first time I went to a meeting where people believed in prophesying, I have heard it said that one speaks by faith and gets out on a limb to deliver a prophetic word or "move in the spirit." I've watched hepcat Morningstar and IHOP musicians do this, old guy Latter Rain and New Testament revival dudes (like me) do it, and big gun prophets too.

Seems right to me. On a few rare occasions, I have been helped by someone who took the risk and gave me "a word." On even rarer occasions, someone has said what I shared with them prophetically was helpful. I believe in contemporary expressions of prophecy because Saint Paul said I should.

But after 35 years of observing and participating in the prophetic movement, it is clear that most prophetic words, impressions, and experiences are soulish, which is to say that the one receiving them either got them from himself or - worse - from a demon. Prophesying is biblically mandated, and we'd better not despise it, but I've hit a checkpoint in life where I am absolutely convinced we need a prophetic reformation so we can get more of the real thing. There aren't enough checks and balances these days on prophesying to keep us safe. The lack of transparent, clear accountability at all the major prophetic ministries is alarming. There needs to be a culture where we are free to raise our hand, stand up, and say "that's not the Lord" without fear.

At a mini conference a couple summers ago, I watched a religious spirit in a lady take over the floor and prophesy unchecked for 45 minutes. I realized we had a deep problem when the pastors attending stood up and raised their hands toward heaven to "receive" all they could of the demon's nonsense. When I left the meeting, she was still prophesying, in complete control of the agenda. There were several mature men there who should have known better.

I've had prophetic leaders in my home, sat in front of their stages, and listened to them and their approved "prophetic ministers." I've set up and administrated prophetically vibed meetings myself. My assumption is that every prophetic person is as sincere as I am, and as hungry as I am, for genuine revival and a genuine move of God. Within the prophetic movement, there are undoubtedly a number of dreams and "words of knowledge" which are stunning for their accuracy. It is fair, however, to ask about the fruit. The NT is full of admonitions to beware of deception and to test all things. For all the claims of "encounter" with God that are regnant among people who want to be prophetic, it is fair to ask about the biblical fruit of such alleged encounters. It is not only fair: we must ask. Noone gets a pass on this within the prophetic movement. Not me. Not the leaders. Not anyone.

Is there a deeper desire to engage the teachings of Jesus and his apostles?

Is there a growing burden for making disciples among lost people who don't know the good news?

Do those who regularly say they are getting impressions and experiences from God actively care for the poor, for orphans, and widows?

I live up the street from a ministry said to be ground zero for the prophetic movement. It is surrounded by the carnage of many broken lives who haven't been shepherded by those who make their living from prophesying. Love, reconciliation, and kindness weren't the portion of the kingdom that the people received from those who held the mike and told them how things really are.

Sometimes a tipping point comes unexpectedly, where you buy something you wouldn't of a year ago, or you make a life change and shock your staid relatives or friends. For me, my tipping point on the profound need for prophetic reformation came at a meeting when I gave the mike to a hepcat Morningstar guy, and he proceeded to lead the congregation in an absurd exegesis of the color Red. It didn't help that he was publicly disrespectful of me.

Over time, the pieces slowly came together. God is inviting his people into the real thing, but we have to clear the threshing floor first.

Copyright 2011