How to Test Prophecy
God speaks in many ways. The primary way is through the Bible, which is the infallible word of God. Then there are secondary ways, including prophecy. Today, there is an explosion of prophetic words on social media and YouTube. Often, we may not know the person bringing the word. Even if we do, all prophecy needs to be tested.
“Do not treat prophecies with contempt,” writes the apostle Paul, “but test them all. Hold on to what is good, and reject every kind of evil.” But how do we test prophecy? Here are two tests to help us filter prophetic words, to determine if they are true, false, or flawed.
The first is a short test created by our friend David Shadbolt. He runs the Timeless Wonder Foundation in the UK, which helps train people in prophetic ministry. David advises us to ask four questions:
1. Does God seem bigger or smaller after you have watched or listened to this?
2. Do you love your neighbour more or has it actually stirred hate for a person or people group?
3. Has your faith increased or has fear increased?
4. Do you love God less or more?
Our answers to these questions will reveal much about the prophecy we have heard. David has an excellent tool called, “If it Doesn’t Pass, Don’t Pass it On” for testing words, which you can access here.
The second test is more extensive, developed by Lyn Packer, facilitator of the New Zealand Prophetic Network:
Test against Scripture: Examine the word in light of the Bible. Does it align with God's revealed will for mankind as shown throughout the whole arc of Scripture, but especially through Christ?
Does it align with the New Covenant principles of prophesying: Does it build up, encourage and comfort? (See 1 Corinthians 14:3) Even warning words need to contain these elements.
Examine the fruit: Consider its effect. Does the prophecy cause you to love God and others more, or does it stir fear, division, or even hate?
Look for individual vs. corporate relevance: Be cautious of "one-size-fits-all" messages, as individual seasons and callings differ. Acknowledge that some prophecy may be intended for a specific person or group, and may not apply to everyone.
Be wary of harshness: Be cautious of words that are overly judgmental, harsh, or condemnatory, especially when released publicly and without the subject present.
Consider the source: Not all words shared are equal. Some may be immature, inaccurate, or not from God at all. Evaluate the source's track record and maturity, but don't blindly accept a word just because the source is known for accuracy in the past. Even mature people still make mistakes in hearing and interpreting God.
Focus on the source of power: True prophetic words should point to God, not to the prophet. A focus on relationship and time spent with God is essential for spiritual maturity and accuracy in prophetic ministry.
Watch out for manipulative words: Words such as "The Lord showed me that you should marry me, or marry so-and-so." Or, "The Lord revealed to me that if you give $X amount, you will receive a prophetic impartation and upgrade in the prophetic gift in your life.” This is blatant manipulation; don't fall for it.
Lyn also gives advice on how to respond to a prophetic word from social media:
Pray and seek understanding: If you receive a word that resonates, but you are unsure, pray about it and ask God for confirmation or clarification.
Hold and ponder: Like Mary, you can hold a word in your heart and trust God to either confirm it over time or reveal it as inaccurate.
Reject evil: Scripture advises to "reject every kind of evil" in prophecy, so be prepared to discard words that do not bear good fruit or align with sound doctrine.
So whether we use David’s short test or Lyn’s more extensive one, it is wise to test prophecy. Once a word passes the test, it can encourage us and inspire prayer and intercession. It may also give us understanding of the times and seasons in which we live and how to navigate them. Prophecy is a powerful gift of the Holy Spirit when accurate. Let’s honour prophecy, but let’s also test it.