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Rev. Dr. Delesslyn A. Kennebrew, J.D., M.Div.

Visionary Strategist Faithful Innovator Inspirational Essayist

Salvation and Stilettos Blog

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LISTEN FIRST! [Prophecy] - 1 Thessalonians 5:20

Posted on July 24, 2013 at 11:31 AM
LISTEN FIRST!
1 Thessalonians 5:20
Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; 
hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
 
Greetings!
 
BlogFam,
 
For probably more years that any one of us can count, the word, the practice, the content of what is or is not considered a PROPHETIC word has been in controversy.  And though it is a gift of the Spirit, the ways in which we have seen it in operation is often not reminiscent of the ancient prophets as recorded in the Bible.  The ways in which we have seen those who claim to be prophets function in the church universal has raised more questions than has answered more questions.  And unfortunately, the words that were confirmed by the acts of God that followed as demonstrated in the text are contemporarily imitated by exaggerated moments of emotionally charged environments where no lives are changed, saved, set free, or delivered as a result.  Furthermore, the ways in which the prophetic has been “re-defined” and sometimes limited to the realm of social justice is an unfortunate misunderstanding of the scope of the ways in which the prophetic can be used to speak truth to power and to speak truth with power.
 

Now, I am not dismissing the role of the prophetic in the 21 century.  I do believe that the role of the Prophet is necessary as any other gift in the body of Christ and I do believe that we all need to righteously experience the divine inspired utterances of men and women who are obediently speaking words of prediction, instruction, or exhortation.  Actually, today I am strongly encouraging us to LISTEN for the ways that the divine will speak such words through us and through those around us.  I do not think we should be so quick to dismiss the potential for God to continue to speak words of revelation that are relevant to our personal and communal situations as they stand today.  We just need to LISTEN.  The ONLY way that we will be in a position to discern or test the words of the prophets of today is if we actually LISTEN.   So -   

 
Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; 
hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
 
Do not treat with contempt before you LISTEN.
Do not test before you LISTEN.
Do not hold on before you LISTEN.
Do not reject before you LISTEN.
 
Friends, LISTEN FIRST.  We can glean so much when we listen and we can miss so much when we do not listen.  I do not think that we should get overly excited about the person or the personality or prowess of the individual who is delivering the prophecy before we actually have heard what they have had to say.  It is immature and irresponsible for any of us to run with a so-called word from the Lord from someone when we have not really LISTENED, tested and determined what we need to hold on to and what we need to reject.
 

BlogFam, I pray that on today you would be OPEN to the flow of the prophetic in the 21 century.  God is still speaking to us and through us, words of prediction, instruction, and exhortation.  I pray that you would make it a priority to LISTEN FIRST no matter who is speaking.  LISTEN FIRST before you hold on or reject the declarations of the prophet.  LISTEN FIRST and by faith, test the revelation by the confirming truth of Christ and community via Scripture, Reason, Experience,  and Tradition. 


Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; 
hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

LISTEN FIRST!


GOD LOVES YOU AND I DO TOO!
Delesslyn A. Kennebrew


FOLLOW Me on Twitter: @AudraSunshine  @SpiritedConcept  @MyVisionFast

P.S. -  I want to INVITE ALL VISIONARIES to join me in a 21 day fast this month to TUNE IN to what the Lord may be speaking to you in this latter half of 2013. WILL YOU JOIN ME? I am excited that beginning TODAY, July 7 and through July 27, I will be TUNING IN to what God's VISION is for me. I want to continue to SEE clearly God's purpose/vision for my life and I want the same for ALL of you!

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