It is important to learn to recognize a true prophet. It is important to realize that not everyone who says they are a prophet is someone sent by God. There are some who announce to the people that the Lord showed them something, but they are not prophets. They want to be recognized as a prophet, but they fail to walk as God’s prophets walk.
Samuel was a prophet. He was set apart from birth. He was prepared his whole life to carry the Word of the Lord to the Lord’s people. He walked his life with reverence and honor to God and to God’s people. He was prepared to do anything it took to make things right relationally with the people he was with. “Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right.” ” (1 Samuel 12:2–3, NIV84)
Today, some call themselves prophets, but they refuse to walk in relationship with the church. They condemn God’s people from the outside. When there are broken relationships, they place blame instead of trying to make it right. These people do not walk in the office of a prophet.
Samuel’s message was to encourage the people in the greatness of God. Samuel reminded the people consistently of the character of God and of their history with God. “Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your forefathers up out of Egypt. Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the Lord as to all the righteous acts performed by the Lord for you and your fathers. ” (1 Samuel 12:6–7, NIV84)
Today, some call themselves prophets, but they cannot see the history of God’s plan, His purpose and His salvation. God is loving, kind and merciful to His people. Even His judgments are always with mercy to draw His people back into right relationship. Those who condemn God’s people do not understand God’s heart or His purpose.
Samuel understood that a prophetic message might warn of judgment, but the judgment always came from the Lord. The condemnation was not an act of the prophet. “”Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call upon the Lord to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the Lord when you asked for a king.” Then Samuel called upon the Lord, and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the Lord and of Samuel. ” (1 Samuel 12:16–18, NIV84)
Today, there are people who want to condemn and judge others. They think nothing of destroying relationships and reputations by saying someone is a liar and is deceived. Those people do not know that God is the one who judges. They do not leave judgment in the hands of God, but take the spirit of judgment onto themselves.
When Samuel had told the people what God was going to do because of their actions, it came to pass. It brought the people to repentance. “The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.” ” (1 Samuel 12:19, NIV84)
The message of condemnation spoken without love does not carry the power of redemption or the heart if God.
Samuel loved the people of God. “”Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.” Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty- two years. ” (1 Samuel 12:20–13:1, NIV84)
Samuel understood that as a prophet he would always pray for God’s people. As a prophet, He would teach God’s people. As a prophet he would encourage God’s people. As a prophet he would warn God’s people.
A true prophetic voice will be with God’s people. A true prophet will pray and intercede for God’s people in their failings. A true prophet will be with God’s people to teach, exhort, and encourage God’s people in God’s ways. That love and that encouragement will create an open door when there is a message of warning and of correction.
The false prophet is insecure and seeks to elevate him/herself with a message of condemnation at the expense of love. The word of judgment justifies the righteousness of the false prophet and condemns God’s people. Do not listen to the false prophet.
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