In Jeremiah, chapter fourteen, verse fourteen, “Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets that prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake I unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. God’s people must be aware that some prophets among them may prophesy lies and falsely claim to have received visions from the Lord; for this reason, all prophets must be tested according to Biblical standards.
First Corinthians fourteen, verse twenty-nine, “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.” All prophecies must be evaluated as to what is said. At times, prophecy might not be a word from God, as in First John four, verse one, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Prophesying is no guarantee that one is a true prophet, for spiritual gifts may be counterfeited by Satan.
If the church has not been set up to judge prophecies properly and in an orderly way, it has failed to follow biblical guidelines. Note too that prophecy was not considered an irresistable impulse of the spirit, for only one prophet could speak at a time. What should be the church’s attitude toward prophetic messages? All prophecy must be tested according to the standard of Biblical truth. Believers should look for its fulfillment, preparing themselves for the possibility that the prophecy may or may not be fulfilled. If the word of prophecy is exhortation, the congregation needs to ask, “What must we do to obey the will of the Spirit?” However, there is the prophecy as a spiritual gift and prophecy as part of scripture.