Judging Prophetic Ministers

Gen 1:26-27; Rom 8:29; Heb 2:6,10; 1 Tim 2:5

God makes a man/woman before manifesting mighty ministry.

Man / woman apart from position, message, or ministry.

Per-son-al-ity evaluating person not performance.

Jesus-manhood 30 years; ministry 3.5 years; 10 to 1 ratio.

2 Cor 6:3; Mt 7:15-21; Dt 18:22; 1 Cor 2:4-5

No offense to ministry, power and demonstration.

By their fruits you shall know them, anointing and results.

Prophecies or preaching productive, proven, pure, positive.

Eph 4:15; 1 Tim 4:2; Mk 16:20

Speak the Truth in Love -- present Truth and life giving.

Message balanced, scriptural, doctrinally and spiritually right.

God confirms His Word -- not person, pride or reputation.

Jas 3:17; Gal 5:22; 1 Cor 13; Heb 5:14

Attitude right -- mature in human relations, heavenly wisdom.

Fruit of Spirit -- Christ like character.

Dependable, steadfast, not childish, Biblically knowledgeable and mature -- not novice.

1 Tim 3:2,5; 1 Pet 3:1,7; Eph 5:22-23

Scripturally in order -- Personal family vs. God's family.

Priorities straight -- God 1st, spouse & family, then ministry.

Marriage to exemplify relationship of Christ & His Church.

Tit 1:16; Rom 1:18; Rom 3:7-8

Ridgidly righteous, ethical, honest, integrity upright, not manipulating or deceptive, doesn't speak 'evangelistically'.

Good end results do not justify unscriptural methods.

Tit 1:7; 3:1-2; Eph 4:29; 5:4

Unselfish, polite, kind, gentleman or lady, discreet.

Proper speech and communication in words and mannerism.

1 Tim 3:6 (AMP); 6:5-17; Lk 12:15

'Craving wealth and resorting to ignoble and dishonest methods'.

Love of money and materialism destroys (i.e. Achan).

1 Cor 5:11; 6:9-18; Mt 5:28; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5

Virtuous, pure and proper relationships.

Biblical sexual purity in attitude and action.

Wrong thoughts of desire to do -- without opportunity to act.

Mt 6:1; 1 Cor 13:1-3; 16:15; Prov 16:2

To serve or to be seen? fulfill personal drive or God's desire?

True motivation? -- To minister or to be a minister?

To herald the Truth or just to be heard by man? Motivated by God's love or lust for power, fame, name, etc.

1. Prophecy speaks to men for edification, exhortation, and comfort. 1 Cor 14:3

2. Prophecy must be compatible with the Scriptures. 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Cor 1:17,20

3. Judge the relationship of the spirit delivering the prophecy to Jesus Christ. Jn 16:13-14; Col 1:18; Rev 19:10

4. Judge the Fruit of the Spirit of the prophecy -- not person. Mt 7:15-16,21,23; Gal 5:22; 2 Pet 2:12-16

5. True prophecy of the Holy Spirit will always come to pass, false never comes to pass. Rom 12:3,6; Dt 18:20-22

6. Prophecy may contain correct predictions or supernatural revelations and be false if its effect is to promote disobedience against God and the Scriptures. Acts 16:16-18; Dt 13:1-5

7. Bondage, confusion, and fear are not products of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 14:33; 2 Cor 3:17; Rom 8:15; 2 Tim 1:7

8. True prophecy given by the Holy Spirit will always inject fresh life a meeting and harmonize with God's overall purpose. 2 Cor 3:6

9. Inner witness -- the Holy Spirit within you will bear witness to His Word. (Never rely on inner witness totally) 1 Jn 2:27

ALL WRITINGS FREE AS GOD ENABLES