When I was a young Baptist minister I had
never seen or heard about true prophetic ministry beyond the Bible.
The only “prophets” I was aware of came on the radio like used car
salesmen peddling everything from lucky gold crosses to sure-fire
lottery numbers touted as the “three-way” and “four-way” blessing.
Then, suddenly, God awakened me to bona fide, modern-day prophetic
ministry. I received the Holy Ghost after praying with R.W.
Schambach over the television airwaves and soon discovered that
every time I spoke in tongues I knew things about people and events
of which I had no prior natural knowledge. This, of course, was the
genesis of the “word of knowledge.”
About that same time I stretched beyond my Baptist circle in search
of answers to what I was experiencing. In my new circle of
Pentecostal Charismatic friends I quickly noticed the gifts of the
Spirit openly manifested, yet I also noticed an ignorance to
biblical operations and procedures that I learned through the strong
foundations I received in the Baptist church.
I kept searching for the balanced truth and in doing so received
many prophecies about the prophetic call on my life from
little-known and well-known prophets alike. I soon began to prophesy
to people, declaring Scriptures over their lives as the Holy Spirit
led. Some people started referring to me as a prophet. My gift was
beginning to make room for me.
I still had a lot to learn about the prophetic ministry. So what did
I do? I sought out every book I could find on the prophetic – which
at that time was not many – and arrived early to every prophetic
meeting in hopes of receiving some impartation that would help
establish me. Little did I know at that time that God had started me
on a long and interesting journey that would teach me many prophetic
lessons first-hand and establish me through the school of trial and
error. I now call that experience the making of a prophet.
Unfortunately, even after years of prophetic teaching there are
still many who are under the mistaken impression that receiving a
call to the office of prophet gives them license to run to the copy
center and make up some fancy business cards announcing themselves
as prophet extraordinaire. They assume the title without
understanding the function, and in so doing are in danger of
bringing reproach to true prophetic giftings.
There is a making process to which every true five-fold prophet must
submit. For starters, young prophets must learn to hear the voice of
the Lord. That’s why God told Jeremiah to go to the Potter’s House
(Jeremiah 18:1-4). The Old Testament also speaks of the school of
the prophets that Samuel started as a place for young prophets to
grow, mature, study the Law and learn how to operate in their
gifting.
Many were trained for prophetic ministry through their service to
Samuel. This biblical principal still holds true today. Mentoring in
the maturation process is important. Service brings promotion. Do
not run from your Samuel. Every New Testament prophet should submit
to elders as did our Old Testament counterparts. Samuel, Elijah and
Elisha were not only prophets, they were types of apostles who
helped to steer and oversee the prophetic development of their
spiritual sons (1 Samuel 19:20).
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There’s much more that goes into the making of a prophet. There’s
the periodic humiliation – ouch. The continual sanctification,
devotion to the Word of God (you can’t prophesy beyond your
knowledge of God’s Word) and, of course, intimacy with God are vital
along the prophet’s journey. Amos 3:7 is a popular Scripture in the
prophetic ministry and it’s true… God does tell His secrets to His
prophets. But He is not going to share His heart with blabbermouths
or those who don’t spend enough time with Him to listen to what’s on
His mind.
Accountability is key to prophetic maturity. Every prophet – green
or veteran – must take responsibility for his or her actions. Where
is the character and integrity in the prophetic ministry today? “A
good name is rather to be chosen” (Proverbs 22:1). Let’s face it. No
prophet is perfect. Any prophet can miss it from time to time.
That’s why all prophecy should be judged. It goes back to humility.
Mature prophets will humbly admit their error and seek the Lord’s
face for revelation on how they erred.
Finally, local leaders can assist in the spiritual growth and
maturing of the saints that show interest in the gifts of the Holy
Spirit. Signs of prophetic maturation should be evident before the
prophet is allowed to operate publicly in spiritual gifts. Many
prophets will kick and fight against such rules or guidelines. But
this type of response displays evidence of a lack of maturity. That
means it’s back to the Potter’s House for another season of
breaking.
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You may be asking, “Does the making process ever end?” I wish I
could say that it did. However, I am finding that prophets can spend
many years in the Potter’s House during different seasons. The
Apostle Paul told the Philippians to be confident that “He Who began
a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ
[right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work]
and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you”
(Philippians 1:6 AMP).
But that’s not a bad thing. Much revelation is given to prophets in
the Potter’s House. Ultimately, we should thank God that He takes us
back to the Potter’s House now and again. The experience helps to
keep pride from taking root in the prophet’s life. Prophets with
such strong revelatory gifts can have a tendency to become prideful
and arrogant without occasional visits to the Potter’s House while
on the road to maturity.
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Is God calling you into prophetic
ministry? Find out what to expect in the maturation process.
