Prophetic Reformation: What is Needed?!

ref·or·ma·tion /ˌrefərˈmāSH(ə)n/ noun - 1. the action or process of reforming an institution or practice.

II Peter 1:21 "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

Let's be honest right now the prophetic community is getting a bad name. Many believers are losing hope and do not trust those in prophetic ministry. Can we really blame them? Scandals, false words, corrupt leaders, wicked motives, money lines, and so forth have taken a toll on people throughout the years. So if we are going to see real change and reformation in the prophetic we need to be intentional.

Myself and many others have prophesied for years that there is not only a changing of the guards but also that many prominent voices will begin to lose influence over night. We are about see a major shift and transformation in the prophetic community. We will see an emergence of strong prophetic voices they will not be popular but they will be walking in the fear of the Lord and carrying a real word from the Lord.

They will be pure prophetic voices that are not tainted or driven by money and filthy lucre. These will be prophets of distinction because there will be a very clear difference and there will be no doubt these are the servants and mouth pieces of the most High God.

As these new voices are coming forth there are still things we need to do to clean up and get some order in the prophetic community. And I want to emphasize the word community because many are lone rangers and they need to be a part of a healthy community for the purpose of fellowship, equipping, spiritual growth, mentorship, and also accountability. I believe more people would prosper in life and in their calling if they were connected with healthy communities.

Below are somethings needed to bring change to the prophetic community

Accountability is needed so that prophetic voices are not off to themselves with no one to hold them accountable for their words and the totality of their ministry. It is easy to go off the deep end especially when you do not have proper accountability.

Matthew 12:36 "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,"

James 5:19-20 "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."

A lifestyle of consecration and prayer must have a greater emphasis than releasing prophetic utterances. All believers should be consistent in prayer. But I cannot emphasize how important it is that prophetic people are disciplined in prayer and fasting. Prophets must live a holy life before the Lord.

I Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."

Ephesians 6:18 "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,"

Being sound in the word matters because too many are unskilled in the Word of God so the totality of their ministry is personal prophecy. Also many are involved with new age practices because they are unlearned in the Word.

II Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Character and integrity is imperative because many have brought reproach to the body of Christ and the ministry of the prophet.

Titus 2:7-8 "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

We must disciple people in the word instead of trying to train their gift. This approach has left us with gifted people that are underdeveloped in God and in life.

John 8:31-32 "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

II Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

Vetting people is a must for a number of reasons. I do not believe in holding a person's past against them because God forgives us. However, there are situation where we must apply caution especially when children and vulnerable populations are involved. But overall before training and ordaining people we need to be more selective right now the standards are low and inconsistent.

I Thessalonians 5:12 "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;"

Biblical Standards we have to hold people to the standards of God's word in love. Not to humiliate, embarrass, belittle or minimize people. I have noticed in general as a church we have gotten far removed from scripture. We must realign ourselves with the Word. And we must have standards in the prophetic community that are based in scripture.

Judging and Weighing prophetic words to ensure that words being released are sound, accurate and in agreement with scripture. In some settings this can fail if all parties are biased or prone to error due to personal beliefs and ideologies.

I Corinthians 14:29 "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said."

Unity because the body of Christ needs unity. How can we say we speak for the same God but avoid each other because others don't agree with your political views, or because you are most comfortable around people that look like you. We can never get a strong healthy prophetic community when we are divided by gender, race, political party, and other things that should not divide us as believers. With unity it brings diversity and other perspectives but it is easy to be parochial minded and in error if you are closed off to people by things such as politics.

I Corinthians 1:10 "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."

I Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."

Keeping the prophetic in perspective because we have overemphasized and in some instances it seems the prophetic has become an idol. We spend so much time talking, training, and teaching on the prophetic. But at some point we have to stop and assess the fruit. Many indeed love prophets and prophetic ministry but their desire for Christ is lacking. Prophets are not to just sit around prophesying. This misconception is one reasons why many have no clue what to do outside of prophesying and why that is the only thing expected. At the end of the day the prophetic is powerful but the focus must be on God and His Kingdom.

Hebrews 2:12 "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

These are just a few things I wanted to mention but over time with consistency and pure prophetic voices with good character and integrity people will begin to see prophetic ministry differently. It is time for intimacy, integrity, and honor to be restored back to the ministry of the prophet.