We eagerly desire to create a safe prophetic community at Liberty Church, where people are empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak words to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others (1 Corinthians 14:1–5). The prophetic gifts can be mysterious and hard to wrap our heads around. Many of us have been hurt by bad prophetic experiences that tempt us to shelve prophecy altogether.

As part of our “You Asked for It” series, Andi Andrew addressed your questions about the prophetic in her message, “Everyday Prophecy.”

Referencing Kris Vallotton’s book, School of the Prophets, Andi explained the difference between the gift of prophecy and the office of the prophet, the difference between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament prophecy, how to test a prophetic word before it comes out of your mouth, and how to test a prophetic word you’ve been given.

Here’s a link to purchase School of the Prophets: Advanced Training for Prophetic Ministry.

The goal of the gift of prophecy is to really see people, to bring out the best in them, and encourage them towards their God-given identity, and prophecy edifies the church as a whole. Here is a guide from Andi’s message on how to use wisdom with the gift of prophecy.

How to test a prophetic word before it comes out of your mouth:

1. Does it bring reconciliation? Will it bring the listener closer to Jesus? Will it reconcile or redeem things that have been lost, broken, or damaged in their lives?
2. Does it strengthen the listener? Will it enable or encourage the listener to live more vigorously and effectively in their lives or will they feel rebuked by you?
3. Does it exhort the listener? Will the listener be propelled into their destiny to walk in their true calling?
4. Does it encourage the listener? Will they feel supported, more confident, and filled with hope? Will they feel like they have been given advice from heaven or advice from you?
5. Are you under authority? Are you planted in a local church and submitted to the authority of your leaders?
6. Are you okay if you get it wrong? A humble prophet is a great prophet. A prideful prophet is a false prophet.
7. Are you ok to clean up your own messes? If someone is hurt in the process, are you willing to take responsibility for correcting your mistakes?
8. Remember that the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet (1 Corinthians 14:31–33). The right timing and self-control are essential.

How to test a prophetic word given to you:

1. Does it exalt Christ? Does it strengthen, exhort, encourage, and bring reconciliation? Does it have attributes of Christ’s redemption?
2. Is it scriptural? A word should line up with the word of God.
3. Do other Christians confirm it?
4. What fruit did it bear? And circle back: Does the fruit exalt Christ, is it scriptural, is it confirmed by other Christians?
5. Did it come to pass? Understand that the prophetic is not always fulfilled on our timeline.
6. Take responsibility to steward it. Record it and play it back. Test to see the fruit.

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