A Word About Words
This past week, I came across this on Facebook and it got me to thinking:
“Suspicion is not prophetic insight. It’s fear & fear is a fraud.”
In recent months I have encountered some in my prophetic circles who seem to naturally jump to an assumption of blame and accusation when presented with certain situations.
“Well, he probably did that because he just wanted to _____” or “she must have been ______.” When presented with more facts, these assumptions are quickly proven to be wrong and their judgments unfounded. We must be careful about assuming someone else’s heart or motive and even more careful about letting this false suspicions and assumptions escape our lips.
The true authority in our prophetic gifts lies in stewarding well what has been placed within us. Accuracy and authority are the fruit of being quick to listen and slow to speak. Our knee-jerk reactions and flippant or emotion-driven personal commentary bring us into dangerous territory.
Even the most strongly prophetically gifted among us are only human and fully capable of speaking out of the flesh rather than the spirit. I once had a strongly prophetic friend say something to me that was very hurtful and seemed out of context with the conversation. Later I asked the Lord whether there was truth in what she said. I genuinely wanted to know if her words were putting a light on something in my heart that needed to be examined. His answer came quickly and gently. “I did not tell her to say that. That was all her.” I forgave her for her hurtful comment and moved on. I still love her and value her prophetic insight, but that experience taught me that any of us can slip into the flesh if we are not careful. It was a reminder to me to weigh every word, seeking and hearing the Lord for myself. It was also a lesson in forgiveness and maturity.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us: “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” (MSG)
What I did not realize when I initially started penning my thoughts on this was that we were just entering the biblical month of ADAR. One of the earmarks of this month is that it identifies with the tribe of Naphtali. His name means “sweetness” and the focus is on words. Spoken and written words are especially important this month. This is a time to break word curses and false decrees over our lives and declare the truth of God’s word over every situation and watch Him move. Our words are to carry the glory of the Lord in them.
Let us guard well the gift that has been placed within us to steward and share. Let us listen closely before speaking on behalf of the Lord. Let us take caution regarding which spirits/agendas our words bring us into alignment/agreement with. Let us walk in humility and the fear of the Lord with the words we speak on His behalf. Let us receive and align only with those words which are fleshed out by the word and spirit of God. And let us gently extend grace and loving correction to one another when necessary as we hold one another close to the standard of truth and righteousness.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (NASB)
Selah.
For more about the biblical month of ADAR, watch the LIVE conference call video on the Signs & Seasons Facebook Group.
