Understand Who's Talking!

"Do not quench the Spirit;do not despise prophetic utterances.But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;"(I Thessalonians 5:19-21 NASB).

When Holy Spirit is speaking to our hearts or speaking through someone in order to alert us, we should not disregard what is being said. The Word tells us that Holy Spirit will utterances will be heard, but may not be understood in one's native language, but He will also give us the interpretation of what is being said. Whether or not people believe in "speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance" is not the issue. The real issue is whether or not we are willing to accept what we hear and are obedient to what was heard.

Speaking in tongues as evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit is "the evidence" not the tool by which any should use as a means to impress or influence others--as they will--not as Holy Spirit wills. We pray in "tongues" as Holy Spirit directs and when the "gift of tongues" operates in an environment of believers, the purpose is to edify (build-up) the body of believers. When the gift of tongues operates, so does the gift of interpretation and prophecy--these three work in harmony with one another. The gift of tongues is not an gift given for any individual use, but as Holy Spirit determines in order to keep believers moving forward in faith and hope of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 12).

At any rate, when people start uttering prophecy in various places--make sure you understand "who is talking"--Holy Spirit or them. If Holy Spirit is giving someone a prophetic word, the prophecy will align with the Word, not oppose or refute the Word. When prophecy does not align with the Word, know that the person who uttered it is acting out of flesh, not with the direction of Holy Spirit. This not a true prophecy, but a lie in the guise of prophecy (prophelying); the person is not prophesying. We are reminded in this passage of scripture to "examine" everything we hear.

When we determine that what is said aligns with the Word, we can accept it as good and "hold to that". When it does not align with the Word, we have no obligation to receive it as from God. Of course, the only way we'll know if the prophecy is of God is by knowing The Word for ourselves.

"Study to show yourselves approved unto God..." and to spot those who are prophelying--attributing what they say from God when it is not. Know that the enemy deceives others who are easily influenced with falsehoods and remember that he is the father of liars. Know who's talking when they talk by knowing The Word and by submitting to the leading and direction of Holy Spirit--He'll never lead you astray.