Weighing & Discerning Prophecy: Words &

Weighing & Discerning Prophecy: Words & Messengers

One of the greatest gifts the Spirit gives the Church is prophecy: the ability to hear and communicate God’s heart for his people. Yet alongside the gift comes a responsibility: “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thess 5:20–22). Scripture is clear: prophecy is real, valuable, and essential for the building up of the Body, but it must always be tested.

Discernment is therefore not optional. Without it, the Church risks being swayed by strong personalities, deceived by false voices, or weighed down by words that wound rather than heal. With it, prophecy fulfils its God-given purpose: to encourage, strengthen, comfort, and call God’s people deeper into Christ.

1. The Purpose of Prophesying

Prophecy is more than prediction; it is a Spirit-inspired declaration of the heart and mind of God. Paul describes its immediate aim as strengthening, encouraging, and comforting (1 Cor 14:3), but its scope is wider:

• Declaring God’s heart and mind for people, communities, and even creation.

• Bringing vision and clarity, helping the Church see as God sees.

• Calling into alignment with the ways of God and the order of his Kingdom.

• Redeeming through loving adjustment and course correction, offering a way back into wholeness when God’s people drift.

At its best, prophecy carries God’s redemptive intention. Even when the word is corrective, its direction is toward restoration, not condemnation. Prophets become partners with God in calling forth identity, hope, and renewal.

2. Testing the Word

Every prophetic word must be weighed. Paul instructs, “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.” (1 Cor 14:29). This weighing is not about suspicion but about stewardship. Here are key questions:

a. Scripture as Plumbline
Does the word align with the whole counsel of Scripture? God never contradicts himself. A prophetic word that pulls away from biblical truth or twists Scripture must be set aside (2 Tim 3:16–17; Isa 8:20).

b. Christ-Centred
Does it glorify Jesus and reveal his character? (Rev 19:10). All true prophecy bears witness to him, pointing us toward the humility, love, and holiness we see in Christ.

c. Fruit of the Word
Does it strengthen, encourage, and comfort? (1 Cor 14:3). Even when a word carries correction, its direction should be toward hope, restoration, and reconciliation, not despair or destruction.

d. Spirit and Tone
Is it delivered in the spirit of wisdom from above — pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy? (James 3:17). The manner of delivery often reveals as much as the content.

e. Community Confirmation
Does it resonate with the wider Body of Christ? Prophecy is best discerned together, with space for feedback, confirmation, or caution (1 Cor 14:29; Acts 15:28).

f. Witness of the Spirit
Do you have peace, or a check in your spirit? (Col 3:15; Rom 8:16). The Spirit within us confirms truth, though sometimes the confirmation comes with time.

g. Timing and Application
Is it for now, later, or primarily for prayer? (Hab 2:2–3). Some words are immediate, others require patience, and some are for the secret place, not public action.

h. Redemptive Direction
Does it move God’s people toward life, hope, and wholeness? (Jer 29:11). Prophetic words should carry God’s heartbeat to reconcile and restore.

3. Testing the Messenger

Prophetic accuracy is not the only test. Scripture is just as concerned with the life of the prophet. Jesus warns: “Beware of false prophets… you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matt 7:15–20). Gifting can be impressive, but character and fruit reveal authenticity.

a. Fruit of Lifestyle
Is their life marked by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22–23)? Are humility, love, and holiness visible? Do their words and actions consistently bring life? Or do they sow fear, confusion, or division?

b. Attitude and Manner
True prophets walk as servants, not celebrities (Matt 20:26–28). They welcome accountability, correction, and testing (Prov 27:6). They are consistent in gentleness and patience, not erratic or domineering.

c. Focus
Do they point people to Jesus, not themselves? (John 3:30). True prophetic ministry magnifies Christ, not the prophet’s gifting, platform, or ministry brand.

d. Biblical Warnings
Scripture warns of false prophets who flatter for gain (2 Pet 2:1–3), who proclaim peace when there is no peace (Ezek 13:10–11), who operate with pride and isolation (Jude 12–13). Their fruit may look impressive at first, but over time it reveals corruption or manipulation.

4. Our Posture in Discernment

We test prophecy not as sceptics but as stewards. As Graham Cooke notes, discernment is about “holding words in relationship with God until their truth is clear.” We keep an open heart, a listening spirit, and a communal process.

• Don’t despise prophecy – remain open and teachable (1 Thess 5:20).

• Test everything – weigh carefully, not cynically (1 Thess 5:21).

• Hold fast to what is good – receive life-giving words with gratitude (1 Thess 5:21).

• Abstain from evil – release words or practices that do not reflect Christ (1 Thess 5:22).

John Paul Jackson often reminded the Church that true prophets carry both the word of the Lord and the ways of the Lord. Gifting alone is not enough; authenticity is revealed in the long arc of a life lived in humility and obedience.

Conclusion

Prophecy is a gift for the building up of God’s people. When we test both the words and the messengers with biblical wisdom, we create a safe environment where the prophetic can flourish. In such an environment, the Church learns to hear God together, to be strengthened in love, and to stay aligned with Christ.

The guideline remains clear and simple:

• Receive with openness.

• Test with Scripture, Spirit, and community.

• Hold fast to the good.

• Let go of the false.

In doing so, we guard the Church against deception, honour true prophets, and allow the prophetic to fulfil its purpose: declaring the heart and mind of God, bringing clarity and vision, calling us into alignment, and redeeming through loving adjustment and course correction.

Reflection & Application

1.    Personal Discernment

-              How do I currently test prophetic words I receive?

-              Do I lean more toward cynicism or uncritical acceptance?

2.    Scripture as Plumbline

-              What biblical passages anchor me most when I weigh prophecy?

-              Am I familiar enough with Scripture to test words well?

3.    Fruit and Focus

-              When I consider prophets I listen to, what fruit do I see in their lives and words?

-              Do their ministries point more to Jesus or to themselves?

4.    Community Practice

-              How can I invite trusted friends or leaders into the process of weighing prophecy?

-              In what ways could my church/community grow in corporate discernment?

5.    Redemptive Posture

-              Am I open to receiving correction through prophecy when it comes in love?

-              How can I help create an environment where prophetic words lead to hope, vision, and alignment with God’s ways?