The Inspirational Gifts – Part 3          

                             

Bible Passage:  Numbers 16:1-3; 16-35.

Memory Verse: “…if My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways …” (2 Chron. 7:14.  NIV.)

 

Lesson’s Aim and Objective

We have a need to be able to distinguish between true and false prophecies, and this we shall do as we learn to recognize their unique characteristics.

 

Lesson Introduction

Let us again remind ourselves that true prophecy is essentially the gift of being able to reveal God’s mind, to speak God’s word, “Thus says the Lord”, concerning any situation, past, present or future. In this lesson we shall be focusing on what characterizes true as against false prophecies.

 

From Numbers 16: 1-35, a part of which we read earlier, we can see the outworking of a contest between a true prophet of God, Moses, and a large number of people who opposed him and Aaron, the High Priest.

• Vs. 1-3 give us the strength of the opposition, and their grouse.                                                                   What was it they were unhappy about? See also vs. 8-11. The bone of contention was essentially, Who is God’s spokesman here? Who can represent the people of Israel before God?
• Vs. 12-15 record more of the spirit of rebellion, and Moses’ prayer. God cannot accept the offering or worship of false prophets. 
• Vs. 26-27 describe false prophets as “wicked men”, men we are to keep away from.                                  But why do we have to keep away from them? See vs. 28-35. God’s judgment on them will affect those who identify or co-operate with them.
• Vs. 23 and 31 tell us that God is the source of true prophecy, for what He says through His servant will be fulfilled without fail.

 

Lesson Outline 1: True Prophecies can be recognized

True prophecies have characteristics, and these are:

q       Fulfillment. At the appointed time, God’s word will surely be fulfilled. Hab. 2:3; Jer. 1:12; Isa. 55:10-11.

q       Some necessary conditions. We need to fulfill these for His word to come to pass, e.g. 2 Chron. 7:14.

q       Agreement with God’s word. True prophecy will agree with, and not contradict, God’s word. Isa. 40:6-8.

q       Public acknowledgement. True prophecy does not need to be said in secret. It should be open –   for others to weigh it carefully, as well as for it to perform its role in the Church. 1Cor. 14:29; 3; 24-25.

q       Purity of the prophet. The vessel through whom it comes needs to be fit for the Master’s use –      pure, clean and holy. Matt. 7:21-23.

q       The Spirit of the messenger. The Spirit of true prophecy is Christ-like. True prophecy may come in the form of comfort or encouragement, but when it does come in the form of judgment, rebuke or conviction, it also comes with mercy.

 

If the above represent the characteristics of true prophecy, false prophecy can be expected to be contrary.

 

Lesson Outline 2: False Prophecies can be recognized today

Some of the characteristics of false prophecy include the following:

q       Contradiction of God’s word. They will contradict the word of God. 2 Pet. 2:1-2.

q       The fruit, i.e. the life, of the messenger. Instead of holiness of life, expect sin and evil. Acts 13:6-8.

q       The Message, with respect to sin. False prophecy never warns of judgment against sin. Lam 2:14.

q       Doctrine/Focus. What they have to “teach” is baseless and seen as “lies” by God. Jer. 23:25-26.

q       Fulfillment. Their predictions do not come to pass.

q       The Audience. Quite often it is all a secret affair between the messenger and his hearers.

 

But what makes false prophecy so popular and attractive today? John 3:19.

 

Summary: God is still willing to give the gift of true prophecy to those who ask Him. 1 Cor. 14: 1.

But remember the gifts of the Holy Spirit, like the Holy Spirit Himself, reside in a holy vessel.