Growing In The Apostolic

Growing in the Prophetic
I recommend asking the following questions: Who is supposed to hear
it? Who is supposed to share it? Whom do we tell—the leaders, only certain
individuals or intercessors, or the whole church? How much of it is to be
shared—30 percent or 100 percent? When should it be shared? Why? What
is the desired impact? What mind-sets do we want to see changed, or what
actions are to be taken? The overarching question that must be considered
in all of these things is, What will bring about the maximum amount
of edification related to the unity, purity, witness, and growth of God’s
people?
I repeat again that the grace to receive revelation and to discern its interpretation
is not the same as the grace to apply it with wisdom. The biggest
challenge for the prophetic council at the IHOP Missions Base is definitely
in this area of application.
God rarely works on the timetable that we think He should. If we press
for the application outside of God’s timing, then we find ourselves trying to
step through a door that is not yet opened.
Another aspect of the application involves who should be told the revelation
and interpretation and when they should be told. The question we must
answer when we receive prophetic revelation is if it is to be spoken to the
entire congregation or only to the leadership.
Joseph learned the hard way that telling his brothers about his prophetic
dreams could get him into trouble (Gen. 37). His brothers interpreted the
dreams accurately and came up with their own application—get rid of
Joseph! Like Joseph, many people have a hard time not revealing what they
have heard from God. It’s our nature to want others to know that God has a
special plan for us.
The same thing is true of the person through whom prophetic revelation
comes. The prophetic person often feels he should tell everything to everyone
immediately. He wants everyone to know he was the one who received
special revelation. Sometimes he is pressured by the desire to want credit for
receiving an important revelation.
Prophetic people who unconsciously strive to get recognition for their
prophecies often wind up getting corrected instead of credit. If we do not
take the credit, then we do not have to take the blame. I understand the
reasons for wanting to be recognized, but it’s still selfish ambition, and it
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