Our words carry power. They can bring life, or death. How we understand Prophecy matters. Prophecy is the eighth principle – or vertebra in our spiritual spine – in my book The Posture Principle: A practical guide to embracing your true calling. Good ‘vertebrae’ (principles) create a strong spiritual backbone. You can catch up with the first seven in the previous blogs; these are short, simple, prompts for reflection and strengthening. As usual, I will share one quote, and answer three questions.

*I will flag up on this particular subject, that I speak from a background of being trained longterm by a mentor and prophetic schools, and have prophetically ministered – individually and in team, including for my own church – to individuals, church leaders and organisations. I also helped to teach people how to operate wisely in the gift, then trained to teach. This subject is important to understand.*

‘Our words are to carry freedom… to give life to dry bones and to draw out what is precious in people. We were given grace by our Saviour, and therefore we are to pass that grace onwards.’ – Martina Davis, ‘The Posture Principle’.

Why do we hear so many condemning ‘prophecies’ on the internet? These so-called ‘prophecies’ have as their root a way of speaking that is, frankly, rooted in the Old Covenant. There is a big difference between ‘Old Covenant prophecy’ and ‘New Covenant prophecy’. The difference is brought by Jesus who died on the cross for us and brought us new life by rising again, giving ALL who believe, the gift of His Holy Spirit to live within them. ‘The Holy Spirit does not condemn. Prophecy is a gift from the Spirit. He cannot give what He is not. (from my book, ‘The Posture Principle’)’. We need to be alert and wise, not believing everything we read, but rather, putting it through rigorous checking. (The topic of New and Old Covenant prophecy and its differences are explained simply but comprehensively in Discovering Prophecy Level 1 Training Course Manual’ from the School for Prophecy, UK, website).

What should we do when we receive, hear, or see, a ‘prophetic word’? We must test the words. Testing a word is our responsibility. There are six tests. First, two Authenticity tests: inner witness (what we sense); independent confirmation (WAIT for it!). Second, two Alignment tests: compliance with the spirit and word of the Bible; a focus on Jesus Christ (i.e. test the spirits). Third, two Alert tests: whose kingdom is the ‘prophecy’ building (eg is it servant-hearted; or is it manipulative, with an ‘agenda’?); does it have the ‘flavour of freedom’ or constriction? (Again, testing prophecy is explained simply but comprehensively, along with all other aspects of the prophetic, in Discovering Prophecy Level 1 Training Course Manual’ from the School for Prophecy, UK, website).

How can we assess our own prophetic words to others? We can safely speak when we know that what we are saying is encouraging, strengthening and comforting. When it is more detailed, I need to go through the above tests as well. My practice has always been to record words I receive, but also to record any words I give, and to transcribe them – because you then have something to test, and you have a record of what you have spoken, as what we speak is often only heard in part, or misunderstood, or added to. This was a valuable part of my training, that gives a good safety net and helps us also to grow in our gift when we listen to how we expressed what our Father in heaven wanted the person to hear. We may be the only source of encouragement that person has. It is a matter of reminding ourselves to keep love at our core.

I hope this starts you on a journey. Remember -these blogs are short, simple, prompts for reflection and strengthening, and are by no means comprehensive. Reminder: don’t believe everything you read on the news, internet, or social media. Test everything! Martina.