There are 20 people in here who need to sow a $20 Seed!” - The LORD.
I will never forget that day the Lord spoke to me during offering time. I thought, “LORD, you’ve got to be kidding me. There is no way that you are talking to Me about money.” I was thinking about this for two reasons.
Reason number one: I was in the pews. I was not the speaker or even a minister at that time. I was a faithful member who was just realizing that I had a prophetic call.
Reason number two: I inwardly felt that ministers who did this kind of thing were scammers. I used to roll my eyes behind the back of my head when they did.
Well, that subtle impression of, “There are 20 people in here who need to sow $20 Seed!” became stronger and stronger. So, I followed the prophetic protocol of my church at the time. All prophetic words were to be written and submitted to our executive pastor.
I followed suit. She read it and then called me to the front of the church. Then my senior pastor said, “This is the word of the Lord from Sister Andrea. ““There are 20 people in here who need to sow a $20 Seed!”
My stomach immediately dropped. Initially, no one moved at all. After about 20 seconds, the first person got up and dropped their $20 in the basket. I promise you that was one of the longest 20 seconds of my life.
Then another person got up, then another. Then, I happened to look at the executive pastor. She was intensely looking and counting each person that went up. She did this discreetly and almost silently, but I could tell what she was doing. She counted all the way until it reached 20 people.
And guess what? There were exactly 20 people, not one more or less. Can you imagine the pressure that I felt? Thinking about it right now, I feel a bit of nostalgic pressure 🤣 It’s funny now, but it wasn’t then.
Afterward, she looked me dead in the eye and nodded with a smile to say well done. This situation did a few things for me, my leaders, and my church. It encouraged all of our faith, and it started to set me apart as a credible prophetic voice in the church.
You may be wondering if it is that serious. Well, actually, it was. Whenever we say, “The LORD Said……. We must be willing for our words to be tested, judged, and confirmed. To simply run with “God said” is not a proper way to operate in the prophetic. And when you are a part of a church as a prophetic person, it’s so essential that you find out what the prophetic protocol is for your church so that you can be in order.
One of the major problems I see in the prophetic right now is that many struggle with accepting that their prophetic words should be tested, judged, and confirmed.
They may keep the prophetic words to themselves because of fear. Or they text or DM someone with a word from the LORD of personal prophecy or just press the LIVE button without going through a process. There are a lot of wreckless prophetics going on in the name of “I have to obey God, not man.” While that is true, everything has its proper context.
But the good news is that God’s word has much to say about how to handle prophecy.
Testing, judging, and confirmation are biblical practices that are emphasized to ensure that messages claimed to be from God align with Scripture, truth, and God’s character.
How To Test A Prophetic Word: A Biblical Breakdown
1. Testing Prophetic Words: Testing prophetic words involves examining the validity and source of a prophecy. The Bible provides clear guidelines:
Scriptural Alignment: A prophetic word must align with Scripture. God will not contradict His revealed Word. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20)
Acknowledgment of Jesus Christ: True prophetic vessels acknowledge Jesus as Lord and align with His teachings. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” (1 John 4:2)
Content and Nature of the Message: A true prophecy will build up, encourage, or guide in righteousness. “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” (1 Corinthians 14:3)
Fulfillment of Predictions: If a prophecy contains predictions, It must come to pass. “And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 33:33)
2. Judging Prophetic Words: Judging involves discerning the truth of a prophecy through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and other prophets.
Spiritual Discernment: Believers are called to judge prophecies carefully, using discernment through the Holy Spirit. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” (1 John 4:1)
Role of Mature Believers: Prophecies should be judged by other prophets in the Church/Kingdom. “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.” (1 Corinthians 14:29)
Evidence of Fruit: True prophecy will produce spiritual fruit in keeping with God’s nature. ‘Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:20)
3. Confirming Prophetic Words: Confirmation ensures that a prophecy is validated by God through additional witnesses or circumstances.
Witness of Two or Three: A prophecy should be confirmed by multiple sources, consistent with God’s principle of establishing truth. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (2 Corinthians 13:1)
Testing Through Time: Sometimes, time will reveal the truth or validity of a prophetic word as God’s plans unfold. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time... though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:3)
Practical Steps for Testing and Confirming Prophetic Words:
Compare the message with Scripture. Does it align with God’s Word?
Pray for wisdom and discernment through the Holy Spirit.
Seek counsel from mature, Spirit-filled believers such as prophets or your leader.
Observe the fruit of the prophecy in its fulfillment and impact.
Remain patient and trust God for clarity over time.
REFLECTION TIME
Take 5 minutes and do some deep thinking. Are there any recent prophetic messages you believe you have, and now, after reading this newsletter, do you have a different perspective on how you should handle it?
Let me be clear: You don’t need to have every little word judged. Things the Holy Spirit tells you and reveals to you in your private time aren’t necessary to share. But major decisions like getting married, divorced, moving, career changes, medical procedures, or any life-altering potentially life-threatening situations that you believe the LORD told you to do, I say submit for judgment.
Also, prophetic words are addressed to the body of Christ, your church, or even an individual; you should also want to get those words judged.
When you are new to the prophetic or emerging as a prophet, you want to remember this type of protocol. It will help anchor you as you grow and develop.
Following this will also allow you to become a credible prophetic voice to those around you. As you grow in your gift or become a mature, seasoned prophet or prophetic leader, your judgment will come as you release those words boldly without training wheels.
Even me, a few months back, the LORD told me something during church service that had me like……WHAT 😬🤯 so much so that I asked my Apostle about it to judge it because I was just unsure. She responded, “Deep,” and gave me some insight.
If you are getting prophetic messages and honestly don’t know what to do with them, I want you to know it’s time to activate prophetic accountability and protocol in your life.
Remember, we are entering week four of the series How To Operate In the Prophetic. And getting your words Judged, Confirmed and Tested
Is a great way to help you grow.
My Suggestion: If you are a part of a local church, speak with your leader about these experiences so that they can direct you with this part of you you are. Don’t be afraid, and don’t assume. Just go in faith and see what happens next:
If you’re not currently part of a local church, or if your church doesn’t offer prophetic training and accountability, I want to personally invite you to join my prophetic community. Here, you’ll find the support, guidance, and training you need to grow and properly operate in your prophetic gifts. We’re here to help you develop and steward your prophetic calling in a safe, nurturing environment.
Let me leave you with this. It takes faith to put yourself out there and say “I know God said.” If you let doubt and fear hold you back, you will only operate on a small level. Because faith is the prophetic currency - the more you invest, the greater your prophetic return.”
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;- Romans 12:6
👋🏽 Bye Now!
