Not So Fast, Prophet! Testing Dreams and Prophecies

If someone says they had a dream or prophetic word about you, you’re not obligated to accept it. Here is how to test all dreams and prophetic words biblically in these days of increasing deception:

Inner witness of the Holy Spirit and truth:If the dreams or prophecies contradict what you know to be true about yourself and you feel uneasy, reject them. God confirms everything with his peace.

1. Word and character of God: Everything must align with the truth of God’s word and his character. Dreams and prophecies are not scripture. If they go outside scripture and God’s revealed will and nature, they are false.
2. Pray and seek mature, godly counsel: If you’re unsure about a dream or prophecy, pray and consult with two or more other believers who are mature.
3. Does it edify, build up, and produce fruit of the Holy Spirit? Prophecy is meant to edify, not terrify; to build up and not destroy. If the prophecy is leading you to sin against God, to walk in the flesh, and into conflicts with people, it is not from God. “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation (encouragement) and comfort to men.” 1 Corinthians 14:3
4. Watch for manipulation and fear: Don’t let people manipulate you into making decisions or believing things based on their dreams and prophecies because you don’t know who gave them those dreams or prophecies. You don’t have to accept it.

Apostle Paul’s teaching on judging prophecy (applies to dreams too)

“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:29-33

In 1 Corinthians 14 above, when Paul is guiding the church on prophesying, he makes the following clear:

1. The spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets, meaning that as a prophet, you don’t have to share your prophecy; you can control yourself. It also implies that prophecies can be clouded by the prophets’ own minds and interpretations.
2. That each prophetic word should be judged by two or more other prophets: this means prophecies are not infallible, and they must be judged. Every matter must be established by two or more witnesses, which is the scriptural standard.
3. That if someone else wants to prophesy, the other should keep silent: This means that it’s not a must for a prophet to give a prophecy. It is not a life-and-death matter since prophecy is secondary to and does not replace or take the position of scripture in the believer’s life.

It is okay to judge dreams and prophecies.

Prophecy is secondary to God’s word. It is not a sin to judge a prophecy. The fact that prophetic words are to be judged means they can be wrong, influenced either by Satan or the soul, weaknesses, biases, or the personality of the prophet.

“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

If someone forces you to accept or is trying to manipulate and control you or others in the church or ministry through dreams and prophecies, RUN because you’re dealing with witchcraft!!!

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

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