Prophets galore … when to tune in

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Cecelia Campbell-Livingston/Gleaner Writer

Then He said to me,

Prophesy to the breath,

Prophesy, son of man, and say to it,

Come from the four winds of breath and breathe

Chris Tomlin & Lucre - Awake My Soul

'Prophets' and 'apostles' are popping up on social media all claiming to be hearing from the Lord and armed with the ability to 'prophesy' to anyone who contacts them.

Many have tuned in, becoming ardent followers while entrusting their spiritual lives to them. But are they really God's appointed and if so, how can gullible souls not fall prey to their claims?

Family and Religion reached out to Pastor Zebulah Aiken of the Miracle Tabernacle Free Town Church of God of Prophecy for an insight on the matter. She cautioned that Christians should be "Bible seekers". She mentioned the early-days Christians who searched the scriptures whenever they were told anything, to see if those things were true.

She also said that too many who are claiming to be prophets or that they 'have a word from God' are really just saying what persons want to hear, instead of carrying out God's mandate.

"It is sad that they manage to dupe those who may be going through trying times in their lives and who are looking for someone to give them hope that things will get better. Sometimes many who are already in a financial bind are told to 'sew seeds', implying that it's a prophetic word towards their deliverance." That she said is definitely looking to the wrong source.

Aiken mentioned that Moses performed miracles and the magicians also were able to do the same ... but only to a point. This, she said, proves that false prophets are able to dazzle and deceive many.

Still, Aiken said if one is really diligent, there are tell-tale signs that will indicate whether the revelation is from God.

"Their words are contrary to what the word of God teaches. Christians are not exempt from suffering or any other hardships, but these prophets would have you believe riches and other benefits are a must for believers," she said.

For her, the messages are always based on prosperity with their audience required to "sew handsome seeds".

A word from God, pointed out Aiken, will always come with a confirmation and that, she said, is one thing that Christians should always look out for.

Another sign Aiken said to look out for from so called 'mouthpiece' from God, is their inability to call out sin.

According to her, because they want to ensure they keep their loyal following, they do not risk offending them, unlike prophets who are called by God.

Acknowledging that there is no escaping false prophets being in the church, Aiken refereed to Jeremiah 23:16 "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you, they fill you with false hopes, they speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord". She said it is important for people of God to "try the spirits" and be on their guards.

Aiken said false prophets rely on charisma and dynamism, getting their audience excited without delivering anything. "It's feel good and showmanship where they are concerned," she added.

"One way to tell the difference is to observe the characteristics of a person who is speaking under inspiration from God. True prophets assist in shedding revelation to the children of God. Their mission is help God's people live a more fulfilled and victorious life," she shared.

Aiken warned to be careful of persons who are always prophesying, claiming to be receiving the word from the Lord with no manifestations of the prophecy given.

Pointing to Deuteronomy 18: 21-22 she said God gave the warning about those who presume to speak in His name.

"And if thou say in thine heart, how shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him," she quoted, adding that a prophet should be in agreement with the word of God.