Christian Challenges

Despise Not Prophesying

"Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

As prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit we need to be very careful that we do not reject the true gift which in fact would be rejecting God and His message. However, we do need to prove all things.

One way to prove whether a prophecy is from God or not, is to compare how it was given with the way prophesies were given in the Bible :-

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

People cannot give true prophecies at will, but only as and when they are moved by the Holy Ghost. As prophecy is a gift of the Spirit we should expect to see the fruit of the Spirit and not the works of the flesh revealed in the person's life who claims to have this gift.

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:19-23.

Another way to prove a prophecy is to test it according to all the God has already revealed to us in His Word, the Bible. Isaiah 8:20 tells us, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

Because we can all see things differently because of own perspective I personally use the baseball adage – three strikes and they are out. However, if I find one thing different from Scripture I look further. If I find two things different from Scripture I really start having doubts and do a thorough check. If there are three things different from Scripture I throw it out as rubbish. This is my personal way of proving prophecies and so called new light. To do this takes time, effort and a lot of study, but I have found it very rewarding.

"Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation." Counsels to Writers and Editors by E. G. White, p. 35 par. 2.

"In a world like ours, where truth and falsehood are so closely mingled that it is difficult to discern between them, it is a perilous matter to neglect to seek wisdom from on high. Those who will now take heed and turn to the Lord without delay, taking their position on the true foundation, will receive pardon. All error is mixed with truth, and this makes the deceptions of Satan harder to see. But when the time of test and trial comes upon us, there will be seen the difference between the righteousness of the righteous and the wickedness of the wicked."

"Every error is sin, and every sin has its origin with Satan." This Day With God by E. G. White, p. 163 par. 1 & 2.

"New light will ever be revealed on the word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God." Counsels to Writers and Editors by E. G. White, p. 35 par. 1.

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