What is Prophecy?

A word given in the wrong spirit cannot have appropriate impact when it does not originate in a genuine moving of God’s Spirit within the prophet. Prophecy must be judged on many levels. The prophet must be able to discern if the revelation he receives is open for public pronouncement, if it is the appropriate time for delivery, or if it is a revelation that is to be kept in the well of the prophet’s belly where it can ferment and ripen with age. The prophet must judge if his or her revelation will bring life to the hearer, or self-aggrandizement through public audience. The prophet must be willing to constantly examine his or her motives to assure that prophecy is never delivered in a wrong spirit.