Prophetic words seem to abound these days. Many have worked to stir up the gift of prophecy within us but we also need some guidelines to help us determine what is a true word, a false word or a word with mixture. I offer these as suggestions of things to think about when you are working to discern if a word is really from God or not and to consider how seriously you should take that word.

Is it practical?

Does it turn you back to God?

Does it contain "revealed" knowledge that could be obtained somewhere else, like a phone book, information from friends, or understanding from a people skilled person?

Is the timing for it realistic?

Is the word a general word or a specific word for individual persons only?

Is it a word you will or need to keep on file?

Are the terms in the prophecy all so vague so that a number of meanings could make it come to pass?

If what is prophesied does come to pass, was it helpful before it did? Was it clear or was it veiled and "just for the fun" of seeing later?

Does it make you want to see God more or the prophet?

Do you want to change your lifestyle after hearing/reading it?

Are you making up your own rules for the prophecy to come to pass?

Do other prophets confirm the "substance" of the word?

Does the word make you want to read the Bible more and know God more or do you just want to hear the prophet?

Is there a financial obligation connected with the words? (Some few prophecies will speak to finances but do all them?)

Does the prophecy come to pass in ways that make you mature in Spirit and understanding and the fear of the Lord?

Do you realize that not every prophetic word is just for you? But it may be for someone else who needs it.

Is the anointing on the word? Do any kind of signs and wonders follow the word?

Is the word based on The Word?

Is the word overly general?

Does the word exalt a few or the prophet, and put down others?

Does the word make you great, or God great?

Does the word take in consideration that the ground is level at the foot of the Cross and we all need to turn to God?

Does the word make promises that it can't keep or doesn't keep?

Does the word threaten, you or threaten you with fear of the prophet?

Does the word limit your view on life?

Does the word come across like a frustrated parent who lacks the fruit of the Spirit? (That's not God. It could be the prophet's good intention, but it's not God.)

Are the other fruits and gifts in balance with the prophetic spirit?

Is there a track record of Godliness in the person's life who has many ongoing words?

Do you realize that there is also a false spirit of prophecy?

After it's all said and done, does the word glorify God?

Do you have to pay to receive a word?

It's one thing to honor God and His servants as you should, it's another thing to be required to pay for a prophecy. Prophets are not required to give you any word at all unless God directs them to, and His word to you may not be just everything that you want to hear! Do you realize that God will judge you by how you treat His ministers? It works both ways!

The last thing I want to do, especially as a prophetic person, is to cause anyone to despise prophesying. God gave us the gift of prophecy and it is for edification, exhortation (Godly correction and provoking to righteousness) and comfort. Some words even give us knowledge as it applies to a better lifestyle in the Lord.

God does speak in a Spiritual language but it's not so way out or specific or just for a certain few at the expense of others. Other people's words and dreams do not always and often don't apply to you.

God can be unusual but it's not for the sake of making us different (i.e., for bringing attention to us as something special) but for making Him holy and set apart and to honor His Son.

The credit for the miracles or unusual acts must go to Him and they are not to make a "club status" for a certain group of people but to invoke the reverential fear of the Lord. God wants to have holy relationship with all of us.

But God does not need the approval of others to do what He wants. He does not need an advisor or advisory team. He has a global work going on and we each are just a part of the multi-generational global Plan. He wants all of us to be a part of that Plan.

Do you realize that you will personally fellowship with believers in times past in the world to come as part of His Body? He is the Head over all! And He will demand respect from and for all of His servants. He will justify their cause in Him!

God's ways are justice and mercy. To those who show no mercy, judgment will be given without mercy - but His Grace is incredible and His will is for all to come to Him, but there is a day He sums things up!

God's timing and ways are often not our timing or ways. It's one reason that we need the anointing to keep us on the right track. God is Spirit and He is Truth. He is not One without the Other. We need His Holy Spirit to understand the meaning of His Word, to rightly divide it for understanding this life we live.

God is Love. That is not the same thing as saying He is emotional, like we are. His emotions are higher and even His jealousy and corrections are clean.

Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. There is more to Him than what we currently see in this fallen world.

Is God honored by the words we hear and speak? Jesus said to be careful how you hear.

You can know God better through prophetic words; and prophetic words should bear a witness to you in your spirit. He will minister to people's needs, but He will not minister to every need with the gift of prophecy. If the word lines up with The Word, then you can receive if you can receive it through the fruit or manifestation of His Spirit.

Even as a prophet, I would not dare to say that I understood everything, but I would weigh the words, receive the good, put to the side what I don't fully understand, and reject that which does not edify my walk in Him.