Does God Speak?

PROPHECY:

Thus Says The LORD,

Who made the mouth? Who made the eyes? Who made the ears? Was it not I? I created all things, for My glory. I created man in My image. Am I not permitted to speak? Can I not hear? Can I not, see? If you can see, hear, and speak, why do people restrict Me. You are made in My image, created after My likeness. Is it impossible for the Creator to speak to His creation?

I have given you the freewill to choose a life for yourself. You can choose truth or a lie. You can choose to believe that I, the LORD, am unable to speak. You can even believe that I am willing to speak. This freewill you have, gives you the freedom to trust Me or doubt Me.

I have given My Holy Spirit for all people to know that I love them. My Holy Spirit works through people to communicate My love. It is by My Holy Spirit that you perceive Me and think about Me. No one ever comes to Me, unless I draw them to Myself. I have called to all people to turn to Me. I have anointed people in every generation, to convey My love and speak of Me.

Since you are made in My image. Created after My likeness. Then trust that I too can speak, hear, and see. I desire for all My people to hear My words. To perceive Me as LORD. To understand who I am. To hear My Holy Spirit speak to them. I desire you to yield to My Holy Spirit.

Do not harden your hearts. Do not be deceived. What I am doing is pouring out My Holy Spirit to bring people into relationship with Me.

Says The LORD.

MESSAGE:

God has shown Himself to speak to people from Genesis to Revelation. The word of God shows that God will speak to people even through eternity. He has never been silent and in fact, has been purposeful in communicating to people.

Every time God speaks to a person. It is and must be considered prophecy. Prophecy is criticized, scrutinized, desired, loved, hated, disapproved in some churches, and accepted in other churches. Some Christian denominations believe there are no prophets and others say there are. Some people say the Holy Scripture fulfills all prophecy, while others say God does prophecy today.

With so much noise on the topic of prophecy. There is a common acceptance that God does speak.

This then yields an explanation, as to agree that God speaks, but not agree on prophecy is ironic.

Now when people hear the word prophetic, they think prophecy. Someone speaking forth a word of the LORD. A dream given from God is considered a prophetic dream. A vision from God is considered a prophetic vision. A word of knowledge from God, the Holy Spirit, is also prophetic.

A lot of times, when someone is prophetic, it is easy to conclude they are a prophet or anointed, to receive divine truth or inspiration. Though, the question then is, can this be trusted?

Every time I give a message; I release a prophecy. Why? Because God speaks. Though how can you be sure it is from God? How can you believe that God speaks at all? How can you be sure that someone who says, this is something the Holy Spirit told me, or I believe the LORD wants me to share this with you, is from God?

I will say this, everything needs to be tested. If a person is not accountable, they are not hearing from God. The Bible says to test all things. In fact, the Bible clearly states to test every spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV): [21] Test all things; hold fast what is good.

1 John 4:1 (NKJV): [4:1] Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

We see that we are to test every spirit and all things. To be more specific, we are to test the Holy Spirit. God had it written that you are to test the Holy Spirit. While at the same time, not offend or quench the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV): [19] Do not quench the Spirit.

How can you, test the Holy Spirit, while at the same time, not quench or offend the Holy Spirit?

Let us first look at the word spirit in 1 John 4:1 (NKJV). This word spirit is from the Greek Strong’s 4151. πνευ̃μα pneuma, pnyoo'-mah; a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy spirit.

We are then told to test every human spirit, angel, demon, and even the Holy Spirit. While at the same time not quenching the Holy Spirit as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.

If God did not speak to us, there would not be a reason to test the Holy Spirit or any spirit. The reason is simple. If the Holy Spirit did not speak to us, then it is common sense to conclude, every spirit would be evil or deceiving. This would mean, we do not give any spirit any thought.

Though, the Bible clearly states the Holy Spirit does speak to us.

John 14:26 (NKJV): [26] “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 16:13 (NKJV): [13] “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV): [26] Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Matthew 10:20 (NKJV): [20] “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Also, if God did not speak to us by the Holy Spirit. Why would He command us in scripture to desire to prophecy or to not despise prophecies?

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV): [14:1] Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

1 Thessalonians 5:20 (NKJV): [20] Do not despise prophecies.

With this knowledge of scripture, we can see that God does speak, but more importantly, that He desires everyone to speak for Him. This does not mean, everyone is a prophet. Rather, everyone who is a Christian should desire to prophecy.

The Bible says that prophecy is more edification, exhortation, and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:3 (NKJV): [3] But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

Paul even desired everyone prophesy over speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:5 (NKJV): [5] I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

It needs to be understood that God does speak. He desires everyone to prophecy, which is called being prophetic. Though not everyone is called a prophet.

To prophecy does not mean you are a prophet, only that you are hearing from the Holy Spirit. This is for the purpose of edifying, exhorting, and comforting people. Jesus is the One who appoints people in the church as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. We are never to proclaim ourselves by self-proclaiming a title. It is a sovereign act of the Will of God, as it is Christ’s body and He leads us. It is never about a person or ourselves. Any act of self-proclamation is an act of disobedience against Jesus.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NKJV): [11] And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [13] till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

1 Corinthians 12:28 (NKJV): [28] And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

The Bible is clear that God appoints people in one of the fivefold ministries. While at the same time, wanting everyone to hear Him speak by His Holy Spirit for building up the body of Christ.

Prophecy in its basic form is edification and encouragement. Every believer is to prophesy. Basic prophecy is not foretelling the future and is not broad words of God. Prophecy is a simple word of encouragement to keep a person moving forward with God.

It is not manipulative or controlling (you still have freedom to live your life afterwards), is not intimidating, will not leave you in confusion, nor leave you in fear.

God blesses His people through prophecy because it takes faith to believe God is speaking.

Now let’s go back to testing all things, 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV): [21] Test all things; hold fast what is good.

We know we are called to test every spirit. How then do we test the Holy Spirit and not offend Him at the same time. To test the Holy Spirit, is to take everything prophesied and test it against the Bible, the word of God. The Holy Spirit will not lead a person to speak anything that is contradicting to the Bible.

A person can make a mistake, though the Bible is infallible. God will not deceive you or lie to you. Once a person releases a prophecy. You are not obligated to receive it or believe it. You are only obligated to test it against the scripture.

You have the freedom to get input from other trusted sources. Preferably those who are well versed in scripture and sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

If a prophecy seems true or bears witness to your spirit. Do not drastically change anything. God will confirm what is prophesied through other sources. In fact, God loves you so much that He will ensure you know it is from Him. He will not lead you astray or leave you in doubt.

Much of the hurt from prophesies happen because of the lack of testing. I have received prophesies that were incorrect. I forgive the people and move on. Sometimes a person can be sincere in wanting to hear from God that they have not learned to discern correctly. This is a common mistake people have made. God is not angry with people who do this. God detests people who take the gift of prophecy and use it for their own glory. People who are trying to make their name or ministry great using prophecy, are placing themselves at odds with God.

God will always communicate to us. Let us not be offended when someone uses prophecies incorrectly. We need to walk in love, forgive the person and move on. We should always remember that God commands us not to despise prophecies. God wants us to hear Him speak. God gave everything for you to know Him. Trust Him and His Holy Spirit. God will help you discern what is from Him and what is not.