We are called to be bold in proclaiming God's Word. The call of prophets, as we see in Jeremiah 1:17, is to "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you."
It requires courage, spiritual maturity, and a certain level of healed-ness to fully align with God's purposes to release words in season, especially in times like these.
The Need for Healed-ness in the Prophetic
If you are wrestling with insecurities, low self-esteem, or unhealed wounds, these struggles can become stumbling blocks. They can lead you to seek people's approval rather than God's, skewing your discernment and potentially contaminating the words released. The need for validation can cloud the clarity of the word you are called to deliver, compromising the truth God has entrusted to you.
Jeremiah serves as a powerful example. He was known as the prophet of judgment, delivering tough messages to a rebellious Judah. His life was marked by resistance, yet he remained steadfast in warning against idolatry, social injustice, and moral decay. The people often resisted his words, demonstrating hard-heartedness—a refusal to align with God's will.
Pure Prophecy vs. Personal Opinion
In today's world, it's easy to confuse our opinions with prophecy. But authentic prophecy is not about aligning with political parties or personal preferences. It transcends our biases, challenging us to rise above human opinions and staying attuned to the voice of God.
As 2 Thessalonians 2 warns, in the last days, there will be an increase in lawlessness, deception, and chaos. We are already witnessing these signs, but we must remain grounded in the Word (logos and rhema) rather than being swayed by the turbulence around us. “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
The challenge is clear: We must discern the times, not clouded by our opinions or the influences of cultural Christianity. Remember, cultural Christianity can become a dangerous ideology devoid of the Spirit. It's possible to have the outward behaviours of Christianity, without the inward transformation that comes from the Holy Spirit. Holiness, however, is not about behavior modification but a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus, that transforms us from the inside out.
Waiting and Weighing the Word
Psalm 27:14 encourages us to "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" We are called not to react impulsively to prophetic words but to weigh them carefully, allowing time for clarity. 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 reminds us that we only know in part and prophesy in part, emphasising the importance of waiting on God for full revelation.
In our eagerness to see God's plans unfold, we must guard against the temptation to pray against a word simply because it doesn’t align with our preferences. Remember, resisting the word of the Lord can sometimes mean praying yourself out of the future God has prepared for you. Authentic prophecy requires a posture of surrender, even when it challenges our comfort zones.
The Danger of a Religious Spirit
In this hour, we must be vigilant against the religious spirit that has taken hold in many parts of the church. This spirit focuses on morality—outward behaviours—without true holiness that comes from a transformed heart. It's easy to fall into the trap of self-righteousness and ritual without the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. Let us be watchful, discerning, and prayerful, ensuring our actions align with what God is speaking, not merely what we desire.
Be wary of elevating leaders or ideologies above Christ Himself. As one seasoned prophet warned, "The issue isn’t who’s in political power; the issue is the perception of who Jesus is." It's a sobering reminder that our allegiance must always be to Christ above all.
Staying Aligned with God's Heart
In these challenging times, let’s be a people who seek God’s heart and voice above all else. Let’s embrace our prophetic calling with boldness, healed-ness, and a commitment to truth. May we never substitute opinion for prophecy, and may we always be guided by the Spirit of God, discerning the times with wisdom and grace.
Be watchful. Be prayerful. Be bold. The time is now to stand firm in your prophetic calling and words being released, aligned with the heart of God.
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