FresnoJoe (08-22-2015)
CatchyUsername, do you have any examples of prophecies given by the devil in order to weaken, discourage and discomfort Christians including about the future ?
FresnoJoe (08-22-2015)
I'm not going to debate with you because it's not worth the time or effort, and I couldn't care less that you expect everyone to believe your spiritual experiences, dreams, and visions, but you refuse to give others the same courtesy. You do not know how to honor the Body. Period.
Secondly, this dishonest ploy is immature and despicable. You are twisting what I said. Number one, God foretelling events to warn people is not a demonic prophecy. God opening the understanding of His messengers to discern the enemies schemes is not a "prophecy", and for you to twist this into something I never remotely implied is what you are good at, and you wonder why people loose patience with you. You employ these horribly dishonest tactics and then play victim when called on it.
I won't be responding to you any longer.
FresnoJoe (08-22-2015)
FresnoJoe (08-22-2015)
Prophetic ministry should pass the agape test detailed here:
1 Corinthians 13: 1-4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Prophetic ministry does not seek to dominate others:
1 Peter 5:3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
You should firmly reject any ministry that does not conform to those principles.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
1 Cor 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
I remember a class we had in Bible School in 1991 about the gifts of the Spirit. The pastor quoted the verse above and made a point out of the fact that the pursuit of love is mentioned in relation to the spiritual gifts and very specifically in relation to prophecy.
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
I quoted verse 3 earlier but the same theme continues in the next two verses. Paul mentions prophecy as a matter of edifying the church three times. The NIV translates the same word as "strengthen".
Now compare that to verse 1, in relation to the following verse from the same letter :
1 Cor 8:1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
If the prophecy doesn't edify in some way (which could include enabling the Church to prepare for an event in a manner that is to its edification or profit) then it is not in line with the call to minister in love. Without love, there is no encouragement and no comforting, as 14:3 talks about.
The character of the prophet is also important. One seeking to dominate, etc. should be rejected.
Prophets have no special pass when it comes to behaviour:
Jeremiah 23:15 Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets: "I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land."
The character of the prophet matters.
FresnoJoe (08-22-2015)
That can be hard to judge but scripture sets up some bulwarks against men who seek to dominate through prophetic words :
1 Cor 14:29 NIV Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
1 Cor 14:29 KJV Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge
Noone is exempt from the judging and careful weighing mentioned in the above, regardless of their status in the eyes of the audience and regardless of their previous track record. We have the completed Word of God to judge by, that is more than what the Corinthians had. Anyone can make a mistake, speak his own heart, speak what is expected, speak imaginations, even speak what lying spirits whisper. There is also the testimony of the Spirit confirming the message to the audience, some times very individually because not all prophecies have equal relevance to all people. Paul's standard was that the gospel in general should be preached with a demonstration of Spirit and power, how much more then should the 6 prophetic gifts be accompanied by the same when they involve knowledge or understanding that cannot simply be derived directly from scripture itself ?
FresnoJoe (08-22-2015)
Catchy, I am posting scripture related to ministry and in particular prophetic ministry. It has nothing to do with you.
You are kinda funny though. You popped a cork a few months ago, left to refresh yourself, came back and immediately...
popped a cork.
maybe you should chill a little bit.
FresnoJoe (08-22-2015)
FresnoJoe (08-22-2015)