Let us listen to the prophets – News and sports in the Whitewater Valley

Theological column by Adrienne Greene

Dear Pastor,

Many of my friends are watching prophetic videos instead of the news. Who are these prophet-people?

I’m one of these prophet-watchers, myself. While I haven’t sworn-off conservative news outlets altogether, the media has certainly broken trust as a reliable source of truth in the last few years. Prophets often inform us of the true facts behind what the news reports.

The Bible explains the prophetic gift and the reason for it: “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. ²For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. ³But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. ⁴A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church” (1 Corinthians 14:1-4, NLT.)

We knew Covid-19 was coming because it was prophesied by several gifted Christians. As soon as the virus began multiplying across nations, prophetically-inclined believers remembered what God had said via the prophetic community and began tuning into their recordings. God used modern-day prophetic voices to proclaim what was coming to the earth in order to give us time to prepare. Churches in America were labeled, “non-essential” and were promptly closed via executive orders. (Many are still closed.) Yet the prophets went to work via YouTube, Facebook, Christian news shows and their personal websites to fulfill 1 Corinthians 14: encouraging the shuttered congregations and comforting anyone looking for answers and hope. God always tells the prophets what will occur on the earth before it happens (Amos 3:7.)

Then our presidential election cartwheeled into a spiral of political sludge. All the mainline media jumped in the fray. A swirling storm of confusion, misinformation and political narrative from every side capture the world’s audiences. Yet God’s prophets kept proclaiming the truth; informing, encouraging and comforting as they heard the Lord speak solutions, tactics and timelines into their spirits (and ours.)

Most mainline churches avoid the whole idea of prophetic gifting in their members because it’s dicey. Prophetic dreams, images and utterances are not something leadership can anticipate or control. For example, when the hand of God appeared during a pagan feast and began writing on the wall, nobody was prepared for it as it prophesied the final judgment of a wicked, Babylonian king in Daniel chapter five. God spoke, via a supernatural visual, as well as, the prophetic insights of Daniel, the Prefect of God, who was summoned to explain the writing and prophesy God’s edict. Alas, we cannot know when and where God decides to speak! When a prophetic person receives a message from the Lord, he or she may not have permission from church leadership to proclaim their insight during a Sunday church service, Catholic mass, Board meeting or fellowship event. The ancient and vital function of the prophets inside the Body of Christ has been called into question, ignored and silenced because of its unpredictable nature.

But how do we avoid a false-prophet? The Bible gives us clues throughout scripture, highlighting tell-tale signs of anti-biblical activity: 1) Do they prophesy for money? They are not a reputable prophetic voice. 2) Are they more interested in their own spotlight than pointing to God? Their ego will prevent them from hearing from him. 3) Are their prophecies laced with religion, condemnation and competition with other prophets? God hates the spirit of the Pharisee who destroys the unity of the Body of Christ.

A good place to begin, if you are seeking a taste of the prophetic, is the YouTube favorite “Give Him Fifteen” by Dutch Sheets. His is one of the most authentic prophetic voices speaking today…one that has been tried and tested for multiple decades. He shares vetted prophecies from others and proclaims the Lord’s decrees. May you find hope in what God is saying to his church right now.

Do you have a question or comment for Pastor Adrienne? Send your inquiries to: info@adriennewgreene.com or write to P.O. Box 214, Harrison, OH 45030. For more information and resources, please visit www.askpastoradrienne.com or the “Ask Pastor Adrienne” YouTube channel for sermons and insights.