How can we discern true prophecy from "lying divinations" in our lives? Setting the Scene Ezekiel 13:6: “They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘This is what the LORD declares,’ when the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope for the fulfillment of their words.” The Problem of Lying Divinations • In Ezekiel’s day, self-appointed prophets soothed the people with words God never spoke. • The danger is identical today: voices—on screens, behind pulpits, even in our own thoughts—can masquerade as divine. • God exposes the counterfeit so His people will cling to the genuine (Jeremiah 23:16-17; Matthew 24:24). Principles for Discerning True Prophecy 1. Anchored in Scripture • Isaiah 8:20: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there is no light in them.” • God never contradicts Himself; any message at odds with the Bible is immediately disqualified. 2. Exalts the true Christ • 1 John 4:1-3 insists that authentic prophecy confesses “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.” • A message that diminishes Christ’s deity, atonement, or coming kingdom is false, no matter how persuasive. 3. Bears the fruit of holiness • Matthew 7:15-20—good trees bear good fruit. • Look for humility, repentance, and obedience in the messenger’s life, not merely charisma or crowds. 4. Proven over time • Deuteronomy 18:21-22: if a prophecy fails to happen, God did not speak it. • Patience protects us from impulsive allegiance to sensational claims. 5. Confirmed by the Spirit’s inward witness • John 16:13—“the Spirit of truth … will guide you into all truth.” • While subjective impressions are secondary to Scripture, the Spirit grants peace or restraint that aligns with the Word. Practical Application • Stay Word-saturated: carve daily space to read, memorize, and meditate on Scripture so counterfeit messages stand out. • Evaluate the source: is the speaker submitted to a Bible-believing church, accountable, and transparent? • Check the focus: does the prophecy point to personal comfort and ego, or to God’s glory and the gospel’s advance? • Wait for verification: when unsure, hold the word loosely until circumstances—or its failure—reveal the origin. Encouragement to Stand Firm • God still speaks (Hebrews 1:1-2), but He has bound His voice to the written Word and the living Word, Jesus. • By clinging to Scripture, walking in the Spirit, and observing the fruit, we can joyfully receive genuine prophecy and confidently reject every lying divination. |
    |