Prophecy. Hearing from God and Telling Others

 Prophecy is hearing from God and telling others.

Some Old Testament texts would indicate it is better never to prophesy at all than to make a mistake when claiming to speak for God.

But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.” Dt 18:20 NRSV

But as we read the New Testament, we see strong instructions encouraging all believers to prophesy, not only church leaders.

Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. 1 Cor 14:1 NRSV

How strange, that the Old Testament should warn against prophesying unless you know that you know that you are a true prophet who infallibly hears the exact words spoken by God.

How strange that the New Testament, inspired by the same Holy Spirit should encourage all believers to prophesy. Surely God knows that we will sometimes make mistakes! Surely He knows that we often only partly understand what He wants to tell us!

Scripture seems to put us in a no win situation. If we boldly encourage everyone to prophesy, are we encouraging false prophecy, confusion and condemnation?

Many Christian leaders today are intimidated by this problem. They teach prophecy is no longer for today. This teaching is without biblical evidence.

Others water down the concept of New Testament prophecy so that is just another word for preaching or general exhortation. 

There is plenty of New Testament evidence to suggest that God still appoints believers to hear messages from heaven and to tell others what they hear, not with the same authority and literal accuracy as scripture but still representing a direct message from God.

Others only allow pastors, elders or leaders to prophesy. But this too is dangerous. If prophecy comes only from leaders, and church members are not supposed to question their authority, then errors will go undetected and mislead many.

The best solution is for leaders to encourage all believers to learn to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to learn to discern between the leading of God, their own thinking and the voice of dark spirits.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. Jn 10:27 NRSV

Bible knowledge is essential but knowledge is not enough. 

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. Jas 1:5 NRSV