Every believer is called to live a prophetic life. But living a prophetic life, having the gift of prophecy, and being appointed by God to the office of a prophet are three different things. So, let’s have a look at these distinctions.
The Prophetic Life
The essence of the prophetic life is the very essence of living successfully as a Christian: hear and obey. Those who live it are those who, out of their intimacy with Father’s heart, have paid the price to hear and then have the courage to obey. As believers, we are all called to live a prophetic life.
The Gift of Prophecy
Those who have the gift of prophecy are those who make known the mind, will and intention of God. Only some believers function in the gift of prophecy, however we can all eagerly desire it. The gift of prophecy must always reveal God’s will and God’s heartbeat. As with any spiritual gift, there are different expressions and levels of operation within the gift of prophecy. The gift of prophecy may include speaking out or writing God’s “Now Word”, the burden of His heart; or declaring those things that God sees taking place in the future.
The Office of a Prophet
A Prophet is one that, along with the Apostle, has a senior role of direction and influence in the Body of Christ. The office of a prophet has a different distinction to the gift of prophecy in that it is a specific role, rather than just a gift. Many who have the gift of prophecy are not prophets, including those who may be finely tuned and are quite seasoned in its operation. In Jeremiah 1:4-10 we see a biblical example and personal commission which gives insight into the distinctions between the office of a prophet and the gift of prophecy.
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A Prophet is ordained by God
We cannot make someone a prophet; God calls and appoints them. It’s a God-thing! Jeremiah 1:5 says, “I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” We can’t just nominate someone because we believe they should have this role.
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A Prophet is directed by divine appointment
Jeremiah 1:7 says, “You must go to everyone I send you.” A prophet is directed by God, not led to where the best opportunities may be. While a prophet may minister via invitation, it has been sufficiently prayed through to ensure this is a divine appointment on God’s calendar.
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A Prophet speaks whatever the Lord declares
A prophet is not chosen because of communication skills, but rather their ability to hear God’s voice and accurately communicate what Father intends to say. Jeremiah 1:7 says, “Say whatever I command you” and verse 9 says, “I have put My words in your mouth.”
The Office of a Prophet
Thus, the Office of a Prophet is specifically ordained by God, directed by God’s divine appointment, and a prophet communicates clearly what God intends to say. Essentially, a prophet is one that speaks on behalf of God. If this is so, there comes with it an awesome responsibility to fully and accurately represent that which is in God’s heart to say. To neither over-state nor under-state that intention, to neither detract from it nor add to it.
As an “Elder” to the Body of Christ, a prophet should fully qualify in accordance with 1 Timothy 3:1-7:
This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
God’s Prophets Are:
- a wonderful and genuine group of those that love God’s heart and love the hearts of His people
- bold yet sensitive; fired with a passion yet meek of spirit. Toward sin they have wrathful indignation; toward God’s people, a broken and compassionate heart
- those who blaze with holy fire against the forces of hell yet tenderly reach out to protect the afflicted of God’s flock
- the “lovers of righteousness and the haters of iniquity” that walk as servants in the footsteps of Jesus
- those that boldly proclaim in the public arena yet weep in the secret place
- ever mindful of their human frailty and dependence on God’s grace, yet are unflinching in the very foremost of the battle
- the cutting edge of God’s voice, the reflection of His countenance, the communication of His heart
The Church of the 21st century has, above all, a desperate need to hear the clear voice of the Lord’s intention. For this to be a reality, the Church will need to hear both God’s heart and His word. For that in turn to become a reality, God must have vessels that are able to accurately hear His voice and intimately know the passions and concerns of His heart.