In today’s world, unless one participates in a charismatic denomination, the idea of the prophetic smacks of the National Enquirer. So, if most people don’t believe in prophecy, isn’t that already contempt? How does a prophet gain credibility?
I Thessalonians 5:20-22
. . . do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
Actually, the scriptures speak of the importance of testing what is said by a prophet. All the way back in the Old Testament, it was written, “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken.” [Deut 18:22a] This appears to be a straightforward test of a prophecy, if it comes to pass, it’s a true prophecy. Of course, that doesn’t help much in the moment, when a prophecy is uttered.
It’s hard to know, actually. I have experienced a kind of fluttering within my personal spirit upon occasion, a sense of truth being spoken, a type of corroboration or affirmation. But, that’s certainly less than definitive. And so, if the prophecy is important, it’s reasonable to consider putting the words to the test.
But I will say right here, testing a prophecy is about as effective as trusting internal flutterings alone. Oh, I suppose one could compare the prophecy to what is already known and determine if it’s sound and grounded in truth. However, it’s in my mind that a genuine prophecy is outside the normal range of reason. Otherwise, it would just be something the smart folks around us could figure out, they’d be able to predict. You know, those people who love statistics and computers, our weathermen and futurists.
Perhaps the key word here is not the test but the attitude? A prophetic utterance viewed with contempt will rarely find root.
I did check the Greek, as best I am able, and there is a some confusion as to whether the “testing” phrase is about the prophecies or about everything else, that is determining what is good and right vs. what is not. So, perhaps we aren’t supposed to test prophecies alone, but test the world around us.
Others will say that prophecies are not merely predictive, but rather some type of “edification or encouragement.” I think that’s pretty lame. There’s not much danger in doing that, is there? What is there to disregard or disdain?
No, I think it’s all the phrases [20-22] together that have meaning: I cannot hear truth of any kind if I have closed myself off through contempt, either for the speaker or the message. If I have made a decision before the time, then there is no possibility I will hear anything new. In other words, “we hear what we want to hear.”
Also, once we have heard something (anything), we shouldn’t act or react immediately, but let it settle inside. Some testing can be done by comparing the message with what is known, but for what is unknown, it takes a united exploration of those words and ideas with the Holy Spirit. And finally, out of everything spoken, we must hold fast to “good” and truth: once we accept the truth of a prophecy, then we must not let it go. From there comes strength to “avoid evil.”
Meditations from Zion 
Thank you for those comments, irmbrown.
For me (and I move in the prophetic gifting) I believe that there are many, many so-called “prophecies” that can simply be disregarded – the primary test is to measure the prophecy against Scripture. If a prophecy adds to, or takes away from, the doctrinal foundations of Scripture then the prophecy must be discarded, and the Bible upheld.
However, I agree with your view, if I have read your post right, that many disdain prophecy simply because it is prophecy. I have difficulty in that the church I belong to has held to cessation theology regarding prophecy and miracles. I must be obedient to my church, but also to the prophetic calling.
Thank you. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to write and share your thoughts. I am sorry that you are unable to share your gift with your church. That seems unproductive. Seems like you could, at the least, share with your leadership what God might be speaking to you. In my view, prophecy does not have to be spoken aloud in a group setting to be prophecy.
As to the testing, I simply struggle with the idea. There are times that prophecy can be tested against scripture, but if the prophecy is literally about the future, how can we know? Certainly, if the prophetic utterance is speaking totally outside our sense of right and wrong, to kill someone let’s say, then of course, we can test that. But, if it’s in the spirit of Elijah or Elisha or any of those O.T. prophets who were trying to describe something that was outside their personal ken — well, I just think it’s hard to test.
I don’t think we really disagree, but I wanted to clarify my point about testing.
Thanks again. ib
Thanks for your response ib.
Yes, I think some prophetic words cannot be solely tested against Scripture – but that must be the first recourse. Prophecies as to future events are more difficult. In fact, I have had many hard moments because of some of my prophecies – not from other people so much, more that “can this really be true?” questioning – the angst that Jeremiah often experienced.
I think also we need to consider the fruit of prophetic words and the lifestyle of the “prophet”. Although I myself have many issues that are not good, I still hold that Jesus taught that we shall know false prophets by their fruit.
But yes, I think we agree on the main points in your post.
P.S. My church leadership was quite firmly against the prophetic gift, yet I feel this is the church where God wants me. I had intended to have a private chat with the vicar (a word I don’t like) but before I had opportunity he moved on elsewhere. The curate has also now moved on, so we will have a new minister team – I am hoping and praying that this will enable me to use the gift in my own particular church.