Practicing the Prophetic
God speaks primarily through His Word—the Bible. But Scripture also shows that He speaks by His Spirit through a still, small voice, dreams and visions, angels, and the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and interpretation. So how can we grow in practicing and testing prophetic words? Let’s take a look.
Passages on the Prophetic
Acts 2:17-18 quoting Joel 2:28-29 (NIV)
17 In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.1 Corinthians 14:1-3 (NIV)
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (NET)
What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NIV-1984)
19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
Testing the Prophetic
Use this ABC Test for prophetic words, interpretation of tongues, or any leading you sense from the Spirit.
A. Is it Affirming?
Prophetic words are to strengthen, encourage and comfort others (1 Corinthians 14:3). In other words, the purpose of prophecy is to affirm and build others up.
That doesn’t mean the Spirit won’t give a word of correction to you or through you for another. But these words of correction must be handled with great care. Satan would condemn us, but the Spirit lovingly convicts us. So be careful to share words of correction in an affirming way. It must build up the other person. If you’re unsure how to share a word of correction, confidentially seek wisdom from a trusted brother or sister.
Here’s a good test question for affirmation: “Is this something Jesus would say — and would He say it this way?” In other words, do you see the fruit of the Spirit in the word and the person sharing the word?
B. Is it Biblical?
Test every “word” by The Word of God. A prophetic impression doesn’t need to quote a verse directly, but it must align with the overall teaching and character of the Bible. And any word that doesn’t pass this test must be rejected.
C. Is it Confirmed?
Invite others to help discern whether the prophetic word is from the Lord. Especially when a word involves significant decisions, seek wisdom from mature believers and allow time for confirmation. Carefully testing a word from the Lord isn’t an act of unbelief but obedience, because God has told us to test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
If it’s not confirmed, hold it loosely and wait. If it’s confirmed, you can move forward with confidence.
In conclusion, if a word contradicts God’s prophetic purpose (Affirming), Scripture (Biblical), or community discernment (Confirmed), simply set it aside.
Practicing the Prophetic
Take turns focusing on one person. Ask the Lord how He would strengthen, encourage and comfort them (1 Corinthians 14:3). Then sit quietly and listen. You may receive a thought, picture, passage or even a physical sensation (such as a pain in your body).
When sharing this impression, avoid overly authoritative language like “Thus says the Lord.” Instead, offer impressions gently and invite the person to test it with the others present. Say something like: “I had a thought/picture/passage/pain that might be from the Lord. Does this resonate with you? What do the rest of you think?”
If nothing comes, that’s okay—prayerful listening is part of learning.
Test everything using the ABC Test.
Don’t force it. But if something comes to mind, share it. The goal, of course, isn’t to impress others, but to love well and build others up. And remember faith is spelled T-R-Y.