I have experienced many Christians who bring so-called prophecies that express harsh judgments. Often, I believe this is incorrectly modelled on the ministry of Old Testament prophets. However, in some cases, this is inspired by the harsh ways that Jesus spoke sometimes.
Jesus did not shy away from speaking home truths and harsh words. However, we should consider carefully to whom Jesus spoke harsh words. I have read the Gospels through well over 50 times, and what I observe is this: All the ‘heavy’, harsh, judgmental words that Jesus spoke were addressed to powerful people. Jesus only ever spoke heavy words to the Pharisees, the teachers of the law, the rich, King Herod, Pilate, and such like – people who had power.
Whenever Jesus was addressing those without power, the last, the least, and the lost, he always spoke with great kindness and brought mercy and grace. Even the rich ruler in Luke 18.18-30 was spoken to with more kindness than harshness, no doubt because he came asking a good question and not a trick question.
All the ‘heavy’, harsh, judgmental words that Jesus spoke were to do with those who displayed pride, hypocrisy, etc. Those are the sins of the powerful. Those are the sins that brought harsh words from Jesus and can and should bring harsh words from us, New Testament saints.
When it came to the sins of the downtrodden, the outcast, the poor, however, whether it was immorality, stealing, etc., Jesus spoke with tender mercy. He called such people to repentance with gentleness and understanding. Think, for example, of the woman caught in adultery (John 8.1-11), or of Zacchaeus (Luke 19.1-10), or of the immoral woman (Luke 7.36-50).
My point is that you cannot point to Jesus as justification for giving harsh, judgmental words that are directed towards those who do not have power in this world (or in the church).
Prophecy in both eras is more about forth-telling than foretelling. Most prophecy is not predictive about the future. The ministry of prophets is mainly forth-telling – reminding God’s people what God has done, is doing, and will do, and what he has said already. The OT prophets mainly speak to remind God’s people about the covenant, the promises God has made. NT prophecy will likely follow that same pattern.
Where we do sense we are being given a predictive, foretelling prophecy, we must wonder about what conditions are required to be fulfilled so that the predicted future can come to pass. Although I counsel great caution in that process. There is much room here for harm. Perhaps it is better not to define conditions, but we should equally never imply that predictions about what will happen are free from any conditionality, which would also misrepresent God and cause harm.
Moving and Growing in the Gift of Prophecy.
Where there is life, there is a mess.
Yes, we want everything to be done in order (1 Cor. 14.40) but we do not want to be churches that are managed by reference to policy and regulations. Rather we wish to be led by those who are led by the Spirit, while still being accountable and transparent, open to correction, humble enough to admit to mistakes, etc. “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14:4 (ESV).
Ways to prophesy
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” (1 Cor.14:1).
God wants to speak to you and through you.
Read Out Loud, learn, and obey God’s written word.
The prophetic should not ever contradict God’s written word.
If you are not familiar with God’s heart and holiness as revealed in the Scripture, you risk prophesying that which goes against the grain, if not the explicit teaching of the Bible.
Look for the peace of God.
Beware of speaking when your spirit is frustrated, uneasy, in turmoil or feels forced to speak. Look for the peace of God in every word you speak or hear (Ps.85:8; Phil.4:7-9).
Obey the urgings of the Spirit.
Prophetic inspiration is under your control (1 Cor.14:32) so you can make yourself unavailable to the Spirit. You must be willing to prophesy (John 2:5).
Do not rely on physical sensations.
When you first move out to prophesy the Lord may give you physical sensations to encourage you, for instance: knots in the stomach, a pounding heart, intense heat, a feeling of euphoria, fluttering eyelids or shaking.
These encouragements may well diminish as we gain confidence in hearing God’s voice, so do not rely on these as an indication that what you sense is from God or not.
How do you receive a message from God?
People sense God’s insights coming to them in a number of ways: words coming to mind, pictures, visions of words on a wall, a growing ‘burden’ of a serious thought that keeps coming back upon your spirit, impressions, insights into a natural event or object, dreams and so on.
There are several parts to this.
The revelation
The meaning
The application
Sometimes it can be helpful just to share the revelation — especially if you are just launching out in this gift. However, mostly you should seek God to understand the meaning and application of the revelation you have received.
A revelation on its own can be less than helpful. Prophecy is intended to be helpful so the prophet must hold fire until the revelation received has ripened into a prophetic contribution.
I venture to say that, mostly, the determination of meaning and application is a common-sense addition to the revelation that does not come directly from God. It is incumbent upon us, therefore, to be humble and tentative as we offer up a meaning and an application on the revelation.
It is useful, therefore, when delivering a message from God to state the revelation clearly, and then suggest what it may mean and how it may apply, and invite prayerful consideration of the meaning and application by others.
Catch God’s heart attitude and tone of voice. A faithful messenger uses the right tone of voice and attitude. This is so important.
Often I have found that God wanted to entirely change my tone when I enquired of him. God may wish you to be more challenging, or to be much less condemning. Attune yourself to God’s heart before you speak up. Remember our God is kind and merciful, slow to anger and rich in love.