How to Test Prophecy

Learning how to test prophecy is crucial for discerning believers wanting to validate prophetic messages. This comprehensive article explores the Scriptural principles and practical steps you'll need for evaluating prophecies, ensuring that they align with God's truth and glorify Jesus Christ.

By understanding the proper procedure and the applying biblical tests, you'll be equipped to confidently judge prophecies and test their sources, safeguarding your faith journey from potential deception.

How to Test Prophecy: The Procedure

Part 3 of 4 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 8 minute read

Brilliant Sky Above the Clouds as a Conceptual Image for How to Test ProphecyLearn How to Test Prophecies Using Biblical Principles
(Source: ©merrydolla/Depositphotos.com)

Paul says, "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge" (1 Corinthians 14:29).

It can be argued that within its context (1 Corinthians 14:29-33), verse 29 has more to do with the order of those prophesying than judging the prophecy; that the judging has to do with deciding who is to prophesy. However, since many believers apply the verse to judging prophecies, I'll address that meaning.

Note the scriptural order in verse 29 for testing or judging prophecy:

1. The prophecy is spoken.

2. The prophecy is judged.

Leaders misinformed about the gift of prophecy sometimes insist that those desiring to prophesy first share the prophecy with them to judge before speaking it to the assembly of believers. Clearly, that's NOT how judging prophecy operates and if followed through, it may lead to a spiritual-sounding message, but it won't be an inspired prophecy, and it carries the potential of being influenced by what has already been shared. Avoid such misinformed practices.

Genuine prophecies can NEVER be heard before being manifested on the prophesier's tongue by faith. Neither those prophesying nor those listening can know the substance of a prophetic message before it has been delivered.

Biblical Tests for Prophecy

Questions to consider when needing to test prophecy:

  • Does the prophecy present God's truth and glorify Jesus?

    "'When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you" (John 16:13, 14).
  • Does the prophecy agree with the Scriptures without twisting their meaning?

    "Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, … in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:15, 16).
  • Does the prophecy bring edification, exhortation, and comfort to the Body of Christ?

    "He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men" (1 Corinthians 14:3).

Biblical Tests for the Prophet

The First Epistle of John says, "Beloved, do not believe every [human, angelic, or demonic] spirit, but TEST the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1, emphasis added).

The Greek word δοκιμάζω (dokimazō) translated as "test" means by strong implication to discern. So, how can we "TEST (discern) the spirits"? The Holy Spirit has wisely given us the gift of discerning of spirits, so we can discern with assurance whether the human spirit prophesying is inspired by the Spirit of God or under the influence of a demonic spirit.

For example, Luke the Evangelist recounts, "Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, 'These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And he came out that very hour" (Acts 16:16-18).

Notice that the slave girl's prophetic word was entirely true, the men were the servants of God proclaiming the way of salvation; however, Paul exercised the gift of discernment of spirits and determined it was a demon who inspired the slave girl to prophesy, not the Spirit of God.

Paul warns, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Also consider the following:

  • Was the prophecy delivered in the spirit of love?

    "Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2).
  • Is the prophesier a person who bears good fruit of the Spirit?

    "'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits'" (Matthew 7:15, 16).
  • Is the prophesier submitting to the local leadership in the Body of Christ?

    "From among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:30).
  • Is the prophesier open to having the prophecy tested?

    "Test ALL things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21, emphasis added).

How to Test Prophecy to the Church

A genuine prophecy will NEVER contradict the Word of God; therefore, having a good knowledge of the Scriptures free from denominational and religious partialities is helpful when applying the biblical tests.

Realize that except for Jesus, it's unlikely that any human has ever delivered a perfect prophecy. As Paul says, "We know in part and we prophesy in part" (1 Corinthians 13:9).

That's why God EXPECTS us to know how to test prophecy, so we can weigh carefully what's being prophesied. As Paul instructed Timothy, we're to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

Whether testing of the prophetic was done by each individual or involved a group discussion, it's not clear in the Scriptures. Regardless, each one of us is responsible for testing and weighing the words we hear.

I witnessed a believer begin to exercise the gift of prophecy by stepping out in faith to speak a prophetic word. Though the message had been delivered slowly with pauses, it was undeniably inspired of God.

During the coffee time, a fellow believer offered him encouragement: "That prophecy was from the Lord! It was what we needed to hear." Another joined in and commented, "Yeah, it was good. Say, do you remember Brother So and So? Could he ever prophesy; his prophecies were amazing!"

What had just happened? Not only did the insensitive comment dampen the beginner's confidence, the comparison sidelined God's most recent word, grieving the Holy Spirit. People of God, watch what you say and never compare ministries.

While we are to test the prophecy, we are NEVER to cast aspersions on the sincere prophesier. None of us are perfect; we've all misspoken at times. And remember, we're prophesying in part.

How to Test Personal Prophecy

Spoken prophecies can be for the benefit of a group of people or just one person, so it's not feasible for every prophecy to be judged by a group of believers. However, Paul reminds, "Do not despise prophecies. TEST all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21, emphasis added).

When you receive a personal prophecy, if it's of God, it can be confirmed by an "inner witness" of the Spirit backed up by the same biblical tests applied to group prophecy, the difference being that YOU are responsible for the testing.

You should be able to relate to a personal prophecy in an edifying, positive sense if it's genuine, even if you don't fully understand its meaning at the time; otherwise, set it on the proverbial shelf to test its possibility of fulfillment, or simply let it go.

At a Toronto Blessing service in June 1994, a lady from England approached me during the evening's prayer time and prophesied that God was preparing me to travel and that my wife and I would be flying overseas to do God's will. She even named the countries we'd visit: Scandinavia, Russia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and the United Kingdom.

This was puzzling to us, as we were never keen on travel. We had flown to Israel as tourists the year before, but we had neither plans nor desire to visit other countries. This prophecy seemed so improbable that I simply placed it on the proverbial shelf, leaving it with the Lord.

However, seven months later in January 1995, we flew to St. Petersburgh, Russia on an unexpected mission trip to orphanages, with a stopover in Helsinki, Finland. Eight months later we returned to Russia with a layover in Frankfurt, Germany, and an unscheduled landing in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

It wasn't until fifteen years later in 2010 that we found ourselves visiting the U.K. for an unexpected conference on our only other overseas trip, and the unlikely prophecy was confirmed by its total fulfillment.

Scripture says, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).

You might hear a prophecy when part of a group and find yourself wondering if that word was intended for you. If you have an "inner witness" of the Spirit that's backed up by your current situation and the biblical tests, it likely was for you; otherwise, it's likely meant for the group or somebody else within the group.

Finally

When receiving prophetic messages, always test them. A true prophetic word should bring edification, encouragement, and comfort. If a prophecy leaves you feeling uneasy or unsettled, it likely isn't divinely inspired, so simply set it aside.

However, be careful not to over correct. Believers unaware of how to test prophecy can become so wary of false prophecies that they completely shut down prophetic ministry out of fear, hindering both themselves and others. This approach is counterproductive and can actually suppress the manifestation of the Holy Spirit who desires all believers to engage in prophesying.

The key is balance. While it's important to be cautious about prophetic misuse, remember that authentic prophetic messages come from the Holy Spirit, and He only gives good gifts (Luke 11:11-13).

When the prophesier is genuinely connected to God's Spirit and not relying on personal interpretation (2 Peter 1:20), the message will genuinely be uplifting and spiritually edifying to those who hear it.

More in This 4-Part Series

Part 4: How to Prophesy

If you missed it, Part 1: The Gift of Prophecy


About the Author

Don Bell of Kingdom Anointing

Don Bell is the creator of the Kingdom Anointing website, and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He shares insights from his spiritual journey to encourage ordinary believers to seek God's Kingdom and lead extraordinary lives in the Holy Spirit.


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