PERSONAL PROPHECY

If you've been around Pentecostal churches much, I'm sure you've heard some bizzare prophecies. I well remember a young man with the gift (?) of a fluid tongue prophesying to me one night. He foretold that I should write, write, and write; that I was going to be a writer in great demand; that I would write series of books; that I would buy a Victorian house, care for unwanted girls, and use their stories as a basis for my writings. That's been a good many years ago and none of these prophecies have come true. Nor has the prophecy he told my then pastor's wife come true. He proclaimed she would have a baby within a year. She is now well past child-bearing age and still has no children.

But is there such a thing as a true personal prophetic prophecy? Yes, there is -- but there is also Scriptural guideline for such. I Corinthians 14:3 states, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." The Living Bible paraphrase explains it more clearly. "But one who prophesies, preaching the messages of God, is helping others grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them." Notice, in both translations, the purpose of a true prophecy. First of all, it will edify the believer, helping him to grow in the Lord. Secondly, the exhortation will encourage the believer. And thirdly, the prophecy will comfort the believer, confirming what he already senses in his spirit that God is doing in his life. Be leery of anything else, of those prophecies that promise wealth, fame, a new car, a trip abroad, etc., etc.

Every week, one misguided sister would ask the young man I spoke about above, "Do you have a word for me?" You know, I want to hear from God on my own, not just through others.

I once attended a revival that was widely advertised. The small building was packed, and people came from out-of-state. But the Word was not preached; lives were not changed. The entire time was devoted to personal prophecies about trips, vacations, jobs, etc. I can't help but wonder how much God was glorified by all the excitement, and believe me, there was excitement a plenty!

May I relate another personal incident? I had had a biopsy for possible cancer, but in my spirit felt that I did not have the dreaded big C. The day before I was to return to the doctor for results of the biopsy (it was a Sunday), a strange gentleman from out-of-state visited our church. He did not know me nor did the people of the church know I had had a biopsy. At the close of prayer time that morning, this brother walked up to me and told me not to fear whatever the doctors might say, that I did not nor ever would have cancer! He confirmed what I already felt in my spirit and his propecy was also a comfort to me. It also edified me and helped my faith grow in the Lord. In addition, it encouraged the faith of the other believers who heard this prophecy when I testified the following week that the prophecy had, indeed, come to pass.

Yes, I believe in personal prophecy so long as it is in keeping with Scripture. It's the wild and bizzare prophecies that are my pet peeve!

Preacher's Kid
P.S. Perhaps you are beginning to get a glimpse of why I originally thought of entitling my book on Pet Peeves (if I ever got it written) "Pentecostal Pet Peeves!" But then, who would publish such a volume?