Prophetic Integrity Uprightness of the New Covenant Prophet Pastor Bob Brown It s more than giving an accurate word but living a life that is according to the Word. The Word tells us to judge prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:29) but most of the judging today comes out of our lack of biblical knowledge which opens the door for a critical spirit to be the sole judge. Both those who give the prophetic word and the ones who judge it need to have a biblical base to work off of. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21) When we become consumed with any person or thing (titles, doctrines or anointing) over our relationship with God we are in danger of idol worship. When prophetic groups minister outside of the accountability of a church or ministry they can become idols of our worship. They become self-sufficient not heeding the principles of God s word. No prophet of God has any authority to change or make a new doctrine based on their prophetic experience. 16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:16-21 When a prophetic word comes to a person, especially accompanied with the laying on of hands, the word must be presented to the recipient and understood that the prophetic word is a call not the commissioning. Galatians 1:13-2:2; Paul commissioned 14 years after he was called Elisha was commissioned 12-15 years after service to Elijah Call Equipping & Mentoring Commission Character Accountability Integrity 1 P a g e
Pride in hearing or knowing the things of God without accountability to pastoral or prophetic leaders tends to make one feel important and special. He then falls into deception thinking, If I am special to God because he gives me this gift, why do I need to be under any authority? The local church is one of the most powerful instruments in developing our gifts. It brings both opportunity and challenges that reveal the depth of the heart. 1 Corinthians 14:1 says, Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. Discipleship + Equipping = Father s love [evident in the minister] which reproduces the character, heart and purpose of the Father. It is here we find our godly call and kingdom destiny. As prophetic people we must realize our identity is not in our gift; our identity is in Christ. Jesus is our prophetic model Many people in the church that are prophetic have a character that is often Harsh Intimidating Super spiritual Jesus always spoke from a compassionate heart of a covenant keeping God; truth spoken in love. All prophetic correction comes from the love of the Father that points to His covenant ways. The prophet Jonah struggled to deliver a prophetic word to the people of Nineveh. He was reluctant because if the people did heed the prophetic word, God would show mercy and spare them when Jonah preferred the judgment of God on them. The living word must dwell in the prophetic speaker as their life-given source The New Covenant Prophetic [and apostolic] ministry The prophetic church must know, practice and obey the foundational teachings of Moses, Jesus, Paul in order to move in a purer word of prophecy. 31 "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31:31-33 2 P a g e
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 14:37 New Covenant prophecy is to help establish right relationship with God in the lives of people. Both Old and New Covenant writings reveal the value that the Bible places on the ministry of a prophet. A prophet was known for Godly lifestyle Deep regard for God s word and Commandments Deuteronomy 13 shows us that the title of prophet was esteemed in the Old Covenant because of Function Character Integrity Prophetic words Moses related God s commandments, statutes and ordinances Abraham moved people toward faith and trust in God and His promises Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Debra and others spoke about staying in the covenant established by God The prophet s life portrays that he loved God with all his heart and soul. Prophets did not draw attention to themselves. Read the account how Elisha responded to a request in 2 Kings 5:1-15 paying special attention to verses 9&10. Today the church regards the title more than the character and lifestyle. When a prophet s message is filtered through pride in the tile or position rather than God s heart for the people, a resistance against church standards can result. If one uses their title (prophet or dreamer) as a means to proclaim the message, it is often a sign of incorrect identity stemming from insecurity. It s simply self-promotion. A prophetic message may be accurate, yet false because of the motive behind it. Examples of accurate prophecy from a false source 16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their 3 P a g e
hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. Acts 16:16-19 Her masters used her gifts (divination, fortune telling) to bring them profit. Although accurate what she said it became obvious that she was not functioning with the right motive or even spirit. Titus shows us another example where the word was true but not from God. 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." Titus 1:12-13 No prophet, pastor or teacher has authority to establish doctrine regardless how great their revelation may be. Moses obeyed God s voice in establishing His laws and Jesus confirmed the teaching of Moses. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matthew 5:18 Moses prophetic teacher of the law Jesus grace and truth of the law For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John1:17 Primary role of a prophet is to turn people back to sound covenant doctrine and dwelling in God s presence Prophecy is not about our infallibility, accuracy or maturity; it is about living the life and character of Jesus. Jesus is the model for prophetic ministry in the New Covenant. Areas to guard that will corrupt ministry are Comparing Envy The desire that one person would be out of the way so your gift would be recognized Elitism or exclusivity Self promotion and desire of recognition Feeling that something is owed to them 4 P a g e
Jude 11 makes reference to of the false prophet Balaam; Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. The account of Balaam can be read in detail in Numbers 22. Disobedience rebellion witchcraft sorcery (evil use of supernatural to overpower the will of people) Even though Balaam had a prophetic gifting from God, his motives made him a false prophet Balaam was enticed with the rewards of divination that were offered him. Although in the end he did not curse Israel he continued his relationship with the enemy. Balaam also demonstrates another sign of a false prophet and that is considering himself only accountable to God. Anyone that separates themselves from the body of Christ [the church] easily gives into rebellion. False Grace Deception that comes from the assumption that God has altered His Word for the time in which we live. It is rooted in the thought that God has given us special relationship because we are only accountable to Him. Disobedience to God s covenant commands opens the door for deception and false prophecy 30 Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 31 And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32 Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 1 Kings 16:30-33 Elijah s motivation was to prophecy to please God And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word." 1 Kings 17:1 Authority was in his relationship with God; Before whom I stand Obeyed words and direction of the Lord Zeal for God s love and authority Covenant relationship with God Elijah s weapon against the prophets of Baal was his ability to rest in God s power He constructed two alters o One for Baal o One for the God of Israel Purpose was twofold 5 P a g e
o Rebuild Israel s alter [that Jezebel had torn down] o Show Israel that their Lord was the only God Elijah s words were God s words Our motives must be to serve God. We must live a life of covenant, integrity, love and compassion of God that our motives are from His heart and not ours. Three characteristics of a biblical prophet can been seen in Daniel Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation." Daniel 5:12 o Spirit of excellence o Passionate love for God o Commitment to the covenant When we study the Old & New Covenant prophets we find that these traits were heart issues in their lives and relationship to God. We are also called priests We are called priests so we must understand that there is a priestly preparation But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light 1 Peter 2:9 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." Exodus 19:5-6 Lifestyle of humility and purity Transparent before God and man Clean heart and pure mind 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness Ephesians 4:22-24 We are called not only to minister in His name but also in His likeness 6 P a g e
Key issues for a prophetic lifestyle If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:14 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. John 14:21 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 o Love of God o Love of His commandments Jesus and the apostles gave continuous reference to the Old Covenant writings as the spoke of observing the kingdom of God. True New Covenant prophetic person Knows the covenants of God Have a command of the whole scripture (know the God of the Word/Covenant) Visible result will be Godly character Christ likeness Prophets are covenant keepers who by the indwelling spirit of God cause the church to move toward knowing and keeping covenant with our God and Father. They understand that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). Jesus is a covenant keeper. Judging prophecy is not just for accuracy of the word that s given, but the content, spirit, motive and character of the prophetic minister. 1 Corinthians 14 lays out the order First (and always) pursue love Then learn and practice prophetic dynamics The dilemma that exists in much of today s church is the idea that there was no grace until Jesus came. The result is that there is so much grace that covenant becomes secondary. True prophetic ministry is concerned with knowing and keeping covenant with God. Jesus is the first born among brothers and also the first prophet of the New Covenant and the model of all prophecy from the covenant. 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. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15 7 P a g e