This Week’s Chapters: 1 Thess 4 – 2 Thess 3
Pastor Claire Morton
As I read these chapters, one of the main themes that Paul looks at is deception. Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because you love God, read His Word and pray that you can’t be deceived.
It is so important who we listen to, who our friends are and how we live our lives.
Paul addresses the issue of prophecy in 1 Thess 5:19-21 and 2 Thess 2:1-2. Paul is very clear that we need to test prophecy and to hold on to what is good, that not everyone who says they come in the name of the Lord has.
So, how do we know when prophecy is right?
Here are a few simple rules I apply:
1. Is it in line with scripture? Paul was warning the Thessalonians to be wary of people who were prophesying the day and time that Jesus would come again. Jesus himself said in Matthew 24:36 that “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”. So it is clear that these prophetic words were not right.
2. Am I left with a sense of peace or confusion? The prophetic words given to the Thessalonians had left some of them “unsettled or alarmed”. God does not bring confusion. Most of the time, a prophetic word given will confirm what is already in your heart or what God is already speaking to you.
3. Do I feel like I have been told off? As you read through prophetic words in scripture, you will see that some come with warnings. God constantly warned His people Israel of the consequences of not being obedient to His Word but He also encouraged them with the blessings of obedience. Prophecy should never leave you feeling squashed and worthless but should always build you up and encourage you, even if there is a warning in the word given.
4. Who has given me this word? This question results in a number of questions: Do I know this person, is this a speaker the pastors have allowed to minister in the church, is this person on the prayer team/ministry team/an area leader? If the answers to these questions are yes, then it is right to hear the word given through them and to test it. Paul warns us in 1 Thess 5:20 “not to treat prophecies with contempt” so we need to hear words given to us by those given authority in the church. However, if a stranger or one who professes to have a prophetic ministry wants to give me a word, my question to them is “who are you in authority under or who are you accountable to?” When I have been unsure of someone, I have asked them to write down their word and give it to someone in authority over me to be tested by them first before I have heard the word.
Paul not only talks about prophecy in 2 Thess 2:2 but about reports and letters. What we say to one another within the church is important, because rumours can so easily be spread that then bring deception in as well.
So, who are you listening to?
Pastor Alan and I encourage the prophetic word within the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:3 Paul says “everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort”. So, if God is giving you a word for someone before you give it ask yourself this question, will it strengthen, encourage and comfort?
Let’s continue to serve God as we seek to build one another up in love.
Breathing Daily with God is an opportunity for the Pastors to share their thoughts on the chapters we have been reading in our daily bible reading plan.Email this to a friend | Add A Comment | Bookmark | Subscribe
1 Comments So Far
- Pastor Matt Pastor Claire - this is brilliant!!! Very clear, practical and helpful!!
posted September 24, 2009 at 06:35 AM
Psalm 41-45 Breaking Free from the Dumps - 26 Jul
Psalms 26-30 - 11 Jul
What Do You See? - 28 Jun
Breathing Daily archive
Rhema Relevant - 12 Jul
North West Leadership conference 2010 - 20 Apr
It’s Spring Again! - 30 Mar
| view article archive
11 Sep - Ignite
25 Sep - K£RCHING!
14 Oct - Destiny 10 14 - 17 Oct
19 Nov - Women’s Conference - In His Image 19 - 20 Nov
| view all events
