The God Who Speaks - Oct. 2008

I believe these are the days when God is calling for a very intentional renewal of prophetic purity. One could argue that this is always the case. But then at the very least, it's time for those with ears to hear what such a cleansing entails. Peter Helms and I have presented an article on the Clarion website, entitled "Beyond Cynicism: the Renewal of Prophetic Purity, diagnosing some dysfunctions and offering some proposals re: the whole prophetic movement.

One issue we didn't cover was the problem of mistaken prophetic words. I say 'mistaken' rather than 'false' because I would regard false prophecies as pertaining to drawing people away from Jesus and his Way or from 'the faith once delivered to the saints' through Jesus' apostles. By mistaken prophecies I am referring to those who prophesy in good faith--sharing what they believe God has shown them--but sometimes get it wrong. This seems to be part of the learning curve where we step out in faith to give a word of encouragement (for example), yet find out later that we were mistaken. Such an error does not require a good old public stoning in the New Testament model, but it can still be very painful when we give a word of hope that ultimately proves wrong.

To illustrate, I'm thinking of times when prophetic words about healing did not come to pass and the ailing one or their loved ones were left disappointed or devastated. In those times, we're very vulnerable to despair or cynicism about God's voice... all the more so when the messenger sweeps the error under the carpet, or spins the situation to make the word fit, or blames the mesengee for somehow not facilitating the message's happening. When a mistaken word goes unacknowledged, is this not the true meaning of "taking the Lord's name in vain"? That needs to stop ... especially so among public ministers. But then what shall we do when we inevitably blow it?

How about a simple, straightforward admission and apology. The easiest way to teach this is to model it. About sixteen months ago, while preaching at Fresh Wind, I shared a sense that for some of our families in crisis, the tide was turning. I presented this as something I believed God was saying and I mentioned several specific people. In retrospect, one of the couples I mentioned did NOT see the tide turn (in their case, financially). Some have kindly suggested that perhaps it was a timing issue, but in my mind, there is no spinning or justifying the error. I created an expectancy that something was in the midst of changing and I was plain wrong. It has been disappointing to them and to me ... we've grieved the journey together. Much too late, I have apologized, asked for forgiveness and been released. The fruit is that we continue to listen together, share what we're hearing and weigh it all. It seems to me that mistakes are not nearly so damaging as failing to acknowledge them.

Can I leave that with you as a listening question? Lord, in renewing my prophetic purity, are their any words that I've shared that were simply wrong? Is there anyone who needs an apology for my mistake? Give me grace to boldly make it right.

blessings,

Brad Jersak