Prophet or Wolf?

A friend of mine asked recently about how we can tell the difference between true prophets and those who are deceivers. Many people in the Body of Christ have been learning in recent months that for obvious reasons, all those who kept prophesying a certain political leader's success in November, were proven false. This is a recent example, but there are examples all across the board of people saying " X will happen at X time by X person.....thus saith the Lord." And as a result, many of those who had a weaker faith, were struggling spiritually, or were looking to those as shepherds and leaders, became bitterly disappointed and left their faith in the proverbial trash can.  

So here is my response to that. I am no wise-woman, only a servant of the Lord who desires strongly to bring people closer to Him. My heart grieves every time I see these wolves-in-sheep-clothing and the incredibly deceived, lead people to their spiritual death. My heart grieves! The Church has forgotten how to discern....

The way I see it, if anyone boasts in the prophetic gift, then they aren't legit. And I mean boast as in they make sure that everyone knows they are a prophet/ess. They put the title on their name and are quick to tell people the Lord gifted them with prophecy, no humility about it. They are ALL pride. The spirit of pride, arrogance, and vanity is not of the Lord. Not at all. And He does not typically choose mighty preachers, wealthy businessmen, and good looking who-dos....He chooses the foolish to shame the wise, He chooses the outcasts and undesirables. He HUMBLES. Now, are there legit prophets out there who humble themselves and don't wear the title in such arrogance? Absolutely!

And what some don't understand is that the Lord does not always allow someone to work in the prophetic at all times. He may give someone dreams for a while, then never again (for His own reasons). He may give someone knowledge in one situation, or a foreshadowing/forewarning on a particular event, but nothing more. But there is one guaranteed way to determine if it is of the Lord: does it align with His WORD and does it come to pass?

98% of those who predict dates/events are false. Satan can give deceptive dreams too....Many confuse prophesying with predicting/divining - especially those who use numerology/omens/astrology which is witchcraft. And Scripture is clear that when someone says "thus saith the Lord" and it does not Scripturally align nor come to pass, we are to no longer listen to that person. False prophets have a future eternal place and it ain't good if they don't repent to the Lord. With the gift of prophecy comes much responsibility.

That's why it is incredibly important that if you know the Lord has gifted you with the prophetic that you NEVER just blurt out stuff without 1st searching God's Word for confirmation, praying for a considerable time, testing the spirits, and even fasting. God takes this seriously. Just see the Old Testament prophets with that one. If you don't receive confirmation, nor if you receive an exposure/discernment by the Holy Spirit that something may not be from Him, then never ever ever say "thus says the Lord". You can still share stuff, but rather make sure people understand that this is YOUR OWN speculations, wonderings, musings, hypothesis, etc....or that you had this dream and need help discerning if it is of the Lord or demons. The most important thing, is that you take it to the Lord first always!

That being said, there are those who HAVE been gifted with the prophetic (whether regularly or occasionally), but none of them will pridefully claim to be prophets/esses, nor will they ever seek a following or popularity. I am someone who the Lord has given dreams on occasion, as well as words to the people, and He has gifted me with discernment. However, ask me who I am and I will tell you that I am nobody. I am just a servant of the Most High trying to be obedient to Him, no matter the cost. Am I prophetic? Sometimes, sometimes not. It's the Lord's will be done, not mine. He does what He wants and He knows I'm a willing vessel for His Holy Spirit when He chooses me, the least of all His servants.

Most, if not all, that the Lord chooses to speak His Words or warn or exhort, are incredibly unpopular - even by those in the "church". A prophet is disowned in his own town right? There's never been a true prophet of the Lord who was popular with a huge following (as in tens of thousands of followers), who flaunt wealth, who bask in fame, etc... No, they've always been despised for the truth, hated, and killed. It's why I get wary of anyone who proclaims that gift (or any other gift) and yet they are loved and praised by all - especially by those who are "of the world", getting limelight wherever they go - special interviews, magazine covers, tv shows, etc.... I get incredibly wary and suspect some ear tickling is common.

It is incredibly important that we be discerning at all times. Discernment and wisdom is a gift of the Holy Spirit, but it is one that He freely gives to any who ask. But, hopefully, you will learn that there is a huge difference between those who stay humble, test the spirits, search the Word, and seek the Lord for discernment with a holy fear for a HOLY GOD....and those who say "I'm Prophet Bob and I have a message from the Lord. He says that Trump will come to your house and ask you to help him form a military coup on Monday next week. And to be ready, because Jesus will be returning next Friday and everything must be ready by then. Please consider donating $20 to help this happen!" lol I know that's a pretty obvious lame example, but you get my point.

No one can understand the Lord's ways because His ways are above our ways. He will give dreams to those He gives dreams and will speak using HIS WORD to those to whom He speaks. We are to test the spirits behind every "prophecy", dream, etc... God is not a God of divination, fortune-telling, fear, vanity, arrogance, nor does He EVER contradict His Word. Does He reveal things or warn of things to come? Yes. But, it will always again, align with His Word.

So the next time you see a YouTube video of Pastor So & So or Prophetess So & So and the title is something like "URGENT WARNING FROM THE LORD! BIG THINGS ARE ABOUT TO HAPPEN! DREAM ABOUT ________ WATCH NOW!" or other such sensational titles.....that's when you 1: Seek the Lord in prayer, asking Him for wisdom and discernment, as well as protection from any deception, error, or witchcraft. 2: watch with guarded hearts, and 3: Take what was said and see if it aligns with Scripture. If at any point when listening to whoever, you feel like something isn't right - there's a reason for it. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what it is so that you can expose it for what it is. Not in an accusation shaming party, but so that others may be aware and that person may be convicted to repent. Do not confuse discerning something not being right with conviction either. Conviction can be downright uncomfortable. However, if the message/Word/prophecy is true and of the Lord, it will not condemn you and push you away from Him - it will draw you NEARER to Him. Just remember that He wants no one to perish. It will not cause you to fear with an earthly fear (what if thoughts), but it WILL cause you to fear the LORD which is the beginning of all wisdom. I pray that those who read this will take even what I say to the Lord in prayer and seek His Word. Deception abounds and now there aren't just wolves infiltrating our churches, but vipers. We must seek the Lord and His Word like never before.

1 Corinthians 1:27 > Jeremiah 14:14 > 1 John 4:1 > Mark 13:22