In recent weeks Glory to the King Ministries and I personally have been attacked by a word that was given as a “prophecy”, but was definitely not of God. This kind of false word is one of the devil’s favorite tactics against God’s people. He well knows that a word given as “thus saith the Lord”, or that purports to speak with God’s voice, has far greater power to penetrate the Christian’s heart than words that don’t pretend to be anything other than the opinions of man. Unfortunately, the more soft we are toward God, the greater the possibility of being attacked in this way. Sadly, the devil also knows that many Christians would not have a clue how to distinguish a “word of the Lord” from one straight from the pits of hell.
Now, I don’t want anyone to think I am saying that you will never receive a word of rebuke or correction from the Lord. I have personally received such words, and I have been His instrument to deliver such words (mercifully, not very often.) However, if a rebuke is from the Lord YOU WILL KNOW! Even if you don’t want to hear it, something in your spirit will tell you, “this is true!” It will be totally consistent with both God’s Word and His character. I’ve just put a post about some ways to test prophetic words at my Rev. Lynn’s Blog: http://www.revlynnsblog.com/christian-life/2010/06/01/testing-prophecy/ so I won’t repeat that here – just follow the link to check it out.
What I want to address in this post is how to protect yourself when you receive words that purport to come from God, but are really an attack of the enemy.
We are all familiar, at least to some degree, with the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6. (If you are not sure what it’s all about, sign up for my free e-course.) When this recent attack happened, the Holy Spirit took me back to school and gave me a lesson in how to apply the armor very specifically in this situation. I hope that I can share that insight here in a way that will help you if you find yourself in a similar situation.
The first part of the armor is the Belt of Truth. In the case of the prophecy that was made against us, some accusations were made about me personally that were simply not true (one of the reasons that I knew this was not from God, because He is a God of truth and knows my heart.) If you are given a false prophecy, it may contain untrue accusations like this. On the other hand, it may contain untrue flattery – building you up by crediting you for things you know you haven’t done. So the first thing you need is to be absolutely honest with yourself. What is the truth about the things that have been spoken? Take hold of that truth and wrap it tightly around yourself. Remember, man may only see the externals, but God knows what is really going on in your heart. Every time the devil tries to attack you with these falsehoods, simply tell him and yourself – aloud if necessary – “That’s not true!”
Next is the breastplate of righteousness. The devil will try to break down your righteousness by causing anger, bitterness or resentment toward the person who brought the word. Be sure to keep your heart pure by relying on the Holy Spirit. Make sure your responses are gracious, be sure to pray blessing on the person, and be quick to cut off any thoughts of revenge or retribution.
The word you have received will be designed to bring confusion, turmoil and hurt. Be sure that your feet are shod with the Gospel of peace: that is, walk in the peace that is yours as a blood-bought child of the living God. Take hold of Romans 8:28Romans 8:28
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28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
WP-Bible plugin, that God works all things together for good to those who love Him, and allow the peace of that knowledge to saturate your soul.
Take up the shield of faith, remembering that faith is not mere intellectual assent, but a relationship of total trust in God. Your faith should never be in what He does, but in Who He is. Trust absolutely that, because of Who He is, He will complete that which He has begun in your life, and nothing – including the word you have received – will prevent Him from doing so.
The helmet of salvation is given to protect your head. Remember, the key component of salvation is GRACE. The word you have received will quite possibly have a strong element of judgment, even to the extent of condemnation. The Word of God tells us that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13James 2:13
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13 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
WP-Bible plugin), and grace is greater than mercy. (Mercy is “not receiving the penalty we deserve”, grace is “receiving the blessings we do not deserve.”) The Word also tells us that “there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1Romans 8:1
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8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
WP-Bible plugin) God may correct or discipline us, but He does not bring judgment or condemnation against His redeemed people. Remind yourself that you stand by grace. If there is an area where you genuinely need to repent, do so – and know that once you have sincerely repented, you are forgiven! Don’t let the devil, or the person who gave the prophecy, tell you otherwise.
Take up the Sword of Faith, the Word of God. A good Scripture to use against this kind of attack is Isaiah 54:17Isaiah 54:17
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17 No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Yahweh, and their righteousness which is of me, says Yahweh.
WP-Bible plugin – “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.” Remember also that the “Word of God” does not just refer to Scripture, but to the true prophetic words that you may have received. If you have had true prophecies that relate to the word being brought against you, bring them out and begin to declare them over the situation.
Receiving a false prophecy can be a very shaking experience, particularly if it comes through someone you know, respect and trust. But by making sure the Armor is properly in place, you can withstand the attack and come through victorious.
This blog is © copyright Lynn Fowler.
There is one God, and one mediator between God and people, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:51 Timothy 2:5
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5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
WP-Bible plugin)in Whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9Colossians 2:9
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9 For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,
WP-Bible plugin)and Whom God the Father has exalted to the highest place, giving Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11Philippians 2:9-11
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9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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