Shalom Saints,
Arthur said that this is probably the most important Teaching that he has ever taught! This message is critical because we live in the spiritual realm and we need to know how to test the spirits. The wisdom Arthur shared has applicability in every area of our lives.
- John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (KJV)
The Teaching was organized around these six points.
- How to recognize a True Prophet.
- How to recognize a false prophet.
- Keys to avoid being captivated by a false prophet.
- What to do when you get a prophecy.
- How to judge prophecy.
- The importance of Apostles and Prophets to the body.
This was a sobering message and as “serious as a heart attack” because we live in the enemy’s territory and we are sitting ducks, as Arthur said, when we don’t know how to discern whether a spirit is from the Almighty or from the devil. You can’t tell the difference between a false prophet and a True Prophet by looking at them or listening to them. According to the definition given in Strong’s Concordance (5578), a false prophet is one who, acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet, utters falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies. Though false prophets are hearing from a spirit, it is not the spirit of YeHoVaH!
A prophet’s words must ALWAYS BE JUDGED.
A sad reality that Arthur mentioned is that religionturned our discernment OFF as a part of our indoctrination into their denomination. However, we can reverse that process by recognizing our ability to hear directly from YeHoVaH and using the gift of discernment that is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Discernment is so vital because by the time some people figure out if a person is a false prophet, the damage is already done.
Learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Now Concerning Spiritual Gifts (DVD)
YeHoVaH rose up many prophets before Yeshua Messiah … and He’s still raising up prophets. True prophets and true prophecy are vital for the body of Messiah. A True Prophet’s words will come to pass, a false prophet’s words will not. True Prophets speak forth the Word of YeHoVaH and it will align itself with Scripture. True Prophets have no problem having their words judged; in fact, Real Prophets will encourage it.
Arthur spent some time explaining how the Apostles’ and Prophets’ Ministries are foundational ministries. We see in Acts that whenever the Word was known to have reached a new region, Apostles were sent there to establish order and ordain elders. Arthur presented scripture to show that Yeshua is the cornerstone and that the Apostles and Prophets lay the foundation and build upon that cornerstone. Anyone can start a ministry, but if the foundation is not properly laid, it will come to naught.
Arthur warned us that false prophets and false messiahs would produce signs and wonders and seduce many. Then Arthur reminded us that the healing, signs and wonders are being done by the Almighty, not the man. The Almighty can, and does, choose whomever or whatever He wants to work through. That is why it is so important to have our faith in the Almighty not man.
Here are the keys that Arthur shared to help us avoid being taken captive or brought under the influence of a spirit or a false prophet.
- A prophet’s words must ALWAYS be judged.
- Beware of confusion and words that are confusing or cause confusion.
- If someone gives you a word and they say it is from YeHoVaH, get it judged by your recognized and or ordained elders for your own protection.
- If a prophet gives you a word and tells you not to tell anyone, do not believe them. Get the word judged.
- There is safety among the true body of Messiah.
- You are a sitting duck for false prophets if you are not part of a body of believers who believe in and operate in the Apostolic and Prophetic ministry.
- True Biblical Prophets work with Apostles.
- True Prophets have no problem having their words judged; in fact, real Prophets will encourage it.
Don’t Confuse HIM with Them!
The best way to be good at judging is to know your Word and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Check out this Study Tool: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words (Book)
Buzz on the Teaching
I fellowshipped with a Sister, who was in Charlotte visiting her Brother who attends HOI. I had lived in the Midwestern town that she was from, Indianapolis. She shared with me that she enjoyed the Teaching and heard things that hadn’t been taught in the church that she attended. That was an opening for me to give her information on the ministry so that she could have access to the Teachings and Curriculums when she went home. She was excited to have found this ministry and planned to join us online.
I had an opportunity to share with a Brother Saint that was relatively new to the Messianic faith. He wanted to know about the Tzitzits that we wore. He asked if they were a tradition or some cultural thing that the Messianics did. That was an opening to show tell him about Numbers 15:38 and Elohim’s command that we wear the tassels. I showed him various kinds of Tzitzits and Micro-Tallits; he expressed an interest in purchasing some during the week when it was not Shabbat.
Later I had a humorous conversation with two unrelated Sister Saints that were from the same Caribbean Island. We had a good laugh, at my expense, when we talked about the Sorrel that one of them gifted me. Earlier in the week, that Sister Saint texted me that she had brought me a gift last week, but had to give it away because it was perishable.
I responded, “Aww! We were on vacation. What did I miss?”
“Homemade Sorrel. I still have some left, if you like.”
Now, this is a Sister Saint that is very adventurous, creative, and has a large garden. She is from a different culture, so I wasn’t sure what the “homemade” part could be. I didn’t want to be rude, but it sounded like some porridge and I don’t care for foods that just slide down my throat.
So, I said, “Wow! I have never tasted it or seen it. Please bring a small sample. Is it like greens or is it a mush? If it is a mush, bring a tiny sample.”
“LOL! You make me laugh my American Sister! It’s a flower.”
“Huh!! Bring some please.”
“You just made my day! You can drink it! … This plant is unique, it blooms in my Island only during late December. It is harvested and dried for use throughout the year. Refreshing.”
After Service, I tasted the Sorrel tea that was sweetened with Tamarind. It was Delicious!
Until next time … Blessings to You and Yours,
Sharon