Living in These Times - Part 3

When we hear a teaching or prophecy, we’ve learned that we: (1) first test the spirit of the person giving the word, whether or not they are a believer; and (2) test what is given to see if it is scriptural, rejecting what is not and affirming what is in God’s Word.
 
Scripture also talks specifically about dealing with prophecies. In 1 Corinthians 14:29, we are told to judge prophecies given in the community of believers. Under the New Covenant, every believer has the Holy Spirit within us. In John 14 and 16 Jesus said the Spirit leads us into truth and continues to reveal God’s ways to us. The Spirit can help us discern what is of God and of Christ  (1 John 2:27). 
 
Not having the Spirit within was one of the reasons that people under the Old Covenant had a hard time knowing if a prophet was speaking the word of the Lord. Moses explained in Deuteronomy 18:21-22 that if the thing that was prophesied did not come to pass, than that particular part was not from the Lord. It was that simple because Isaiah 55:11 confirms that every word that comes from God comes to pass and accomplishes His purposes.
 
Moses goes on to explain that the unfulfilled word was spoken presumptuously—that is, out of the persons’ own soul, desires, or thoughts. This doesn’t mean the person is a false prophet or evil. It only means that particular part of the word was false.
 
Even though every believer is in Christ, we still only see in part. We’re not going to get it right every time, which is why Scripture says to test all things. We are to be conformed to Christ and God’s Word, and not to earthly expectations of mankind.
 
In practice, then, if a teacher or prophet takes offence at being “tested” or “judged” in this way, then a warning signal should go off in your spirit. The same is true if the person lashes out at fellow believers who do not agree. The fruit of the Spirit includes gentleness, patience, and self-control. That works both ways in the Body of Christ because we have the same Spirit.