An Incorrect View of the Prophet and the Prophetic

I read this well written piece by Stan Smith. It's worthwhile. It's encouraging. It's an admonition for us all to be all we can be in the Spirit. I commend it to you.

There's only ONE problem with it, while it talks about the Prophetic, it's not really about the office and workings of the Prophet. It's about the spiritual gifting (charismata) of prophecy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, working of miracles, tongues, Faith etc.

Someone reading this might decide to measure the prophetic is by this yardstick. That would be very wrong. What Stan Smith wrote about was good solid christian living. It should be the goal of all people who name the name of Jesus to:

1. Look to God for Creativity
2. Operate in Word of Knowledge to help people
3. Bless and Pray for your spouse and family
4. Look to God for Direction in decisions
5. Witness to people in Evangelism
   
6. Work hand in hand with other Christians to accomplish things for God
7. Develop sustaining relationships
8. Bring a word of encouragement to others, in service and otherwise
9. Be part of the Altar Calls in Church...minister to others
10. Look for Spiritual Insight in Teaching the Word of God
11. Be committed to spiritual worship
12. Defer to one another

I have no argument with any of these activities and foci's. Where I draw a line is these things, while all good and all driven by the Holy Spirit are NOT what the Office and Operations of the Prophet are. You can do all these things but you are not a prophet because you do. You may do few of these things because of the call of God as a Prophet on your life and solidly be a Prophet in full.

I appreciate the article. I just disagree with it's point.

In addition to the above, there are other things that are many times identified as prophetic but are not:

• End times speculation is interesting but not prophecy. If someone is going to have a prophetic conference and the emphasis is eschatology, then as interesting as that might be, it's all speculation and should be treated thus.
• IF a person is just preaching a theme or concept it might be good, even inspiring, but may not be prophecy.
• IF someone comes to you and offers motivational encouragement it might be good, but may not be prophecy.
• If you get good advice from a wise person, it might be worthwhile, but probably not prophetic.
• If someone (even me) offers an opinion on politics, economics or culture it might be very well founded and insightful, but probably not prophetic.

SO if those things are NOT prophetic necessarily, what are the Marks of a True Prophet?

• Says what God says...sounds like him.
• Has insight beyond human ability.
• Brings situations into Heaven's focus.
• Defines error when it needs to be defined.
• Opens new vision for individuals and ministry.
• Deals with leadership in transparency and honor yet without compromise
• Defines and reveals the Word of God, not in teaching, but in revelation that corrects error.
• Speaks FOR God...becomes the Word of the Lord.

When someone says "He's got the whole world in his hands", look down they are attached to your arms. We are the arms and legs of Jesus as his Body here on earth.

As a Prophet, if you are a true prophet in the office, you are his Mouth.

And that is why the Stan Smith article, as good as it is, is in error.