Evaluating Prophecy

Paul tells the Corinthian church, “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Cor 14:1). He tells the Thessalonians, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess 5:19-21).

Anglican author and rector, Michael Green, defines prophecy as “a word from the Lord through a member of the body, inspired by the Spirit, and given to build up the rest of the body.”

Whenever someone offers a prophetic word, the church is called to test it. The church, or individual receiving the prophecy, is to weigh it and evaluate its accuracy and benefit. Unlike Old Testament prophets, those who prophecy in the New Testament are called to be tested for truthfulness.

It can help to have some criteria that instructs us with this evaluation. Michael Green wrote a commentary on 1 Corinthians entitled, To Corinth With Love. In his commentary he provides helpful criteria for the evaluating of prophecy. He suggests asking seven questions to consider when “weighing what is spoken.” Here’s the list.

1. Does it glorify God rather than the speaker, church, or denomination?
2. Does it accord with Scripture?
3. Does it build up the church?
4. Is it spoken in love?
5. Does the speaker submit him- or herself to the judgment and consensus of others in spiritual humility?
6. Is the speaker in control of him- or herself?
7. Is there a reasonable amount of instruction, or does the message seem excessive in detail?—[Michael Green, To Corinth with Love (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1982), 77-78.]
   
   One author added an eighth potential criteria:
8. Is the speaker demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in his or her life?
   
   Prophecy can be a powerful spiritual gift when used correctly, but can be destructive when abused. Rightly assessing the word becomes as important as receiving it.