ATTRIBUTES OF TRUE PROPHECY AND TEACHING:

• It must not add to the Word of God or take something away from it or alter or distort its meaning. Does it stand up to scriptural principles and truths? • It must speak life, even if it is exhortation, correction, admonition, or it brings conviction. In Isaiah the Lord says, “A voice shall sound in your ears: This is the way walk in it, when you turn to the right or the left. Is. 30:31. The Lord will let us know when we do wrong, so we can escape deception. Correction will always point us to Jesus as the Restorer. • It will ever be before your eyes like a vision or awakening.. • It will continue to speak to you time and time again like a broken record. • It will be for your good and out of love for you. • It will bear witness with your spirit. (though not necessarily your mind or emotions). If it is not from God, you will not hear it, likewise if it is from God, you will hear it and know it. • It will add to your faith and not take away from it. • It will bring knowledge and revelation. • It will come to fruition through love, joy, and peace. • It will increase your anointing. • It will stand the test of time. Did it come to pass? Understand prophetic "disjointedness". Within one sentence may be several differing parts and times of fulfillment • It will always glorify and point to Jesus. It will never build up or flatter anyone but Jesus. • It will be given in love. When you see love operating then you know this is the Spirit of God. • Is it fundamental to the body of teaching central to all Christian life? It must be submitted to the Christian community. In a multitude of counselors there is safety. • It will give response in our own heart and spirit and it will give us peace. Peace will rule our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. • What is the spiritual tone and effect? Prophecy can be corrective but not harsh, frightening, condemning and critical. Teaching that is judgmental is false. • Does the prophecy or teaching itself bear fruit? It will bring forth good results from the people who hear it. Luke 6:44 “For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. • Does it produce the fruit of righteousness, peace and joy within your heart, (vs. anxiety, confusion or fear) The whole chapter of 1 John 1 provides guideline for testing prophecy: Read John 1:1-10 Some other helps: 1. Understand the conditional nature of prophecy. All the promises of God are conditional including prophetic promises, whether stated or not. Conditional upon factors such as faith, obedience, timing, etc. 2. If it is determined that a word is from God, several things can be done to cooperate with God in the fulfillment of the word. (only do the things Holy Spirit tells you- corresponding action) a. Mingle the word with faith (all of the provisions, grace and promises of God are received by faith) b. War with the word: "pray it in" - i.e., petition, spiritual warfare, etc, (don’t put on a shelf unless instructed to do so)1 Tim. 1:18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, c. Understand prophetic "timing." The Kingdom of God arrived as a baby in Bethlehem, it was 30 years before anybody other that about a dozen people even knew it. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. d. Understand prophetic "terminology" pay close attention to what was actually said and what those terms mean in Scripture.