Prophets For Profit

I had a dream this morning. I dreamed that someone was trying to make some candy. They kept reaching into their utensil drawer pulling out a cooking thermometer. I looked at this thermometer and told them it was broken. They wouldn't listen.

As a result, the candy didn't get heated enough and it wouldn’t set up. They started making candy again. And again, they grabbed another thermometer. I looked and saw it was broken. Still, they used it any way. This time the candy burnt.

Over and over, they repeated the process with a broken thermometer. Repeatedly they refused to listen. Even when I handed them one that read the temperature correctly, they cast it aside in exchange for different one. Another broken one.

I asked them why and they said it was because they knew which one worked and which one didn't. They were aware of the choices they were making. But it was their kitchen, and I couldn’t possibly know which one did or did not work.

I said, “Well it is your kitchen, and I'm not trying to take it over. And I’m not trying to take credit for your great candy. I'm just trying to help you make it right so others can enjoy it the way it was meant to be. I may not be the chef here, but I know how to read a thermometer and I know if one is working properly. Why do you insist on using broken ones?”

The only answer they could give me was because it was a familiar thermometer.

Here’s what I believe God was saying:

Many church leaders are trying to use people that are calling themselves prophets. They don't know themselves how to determine if this prophet works properly or not. There are prophets among them that work or prophesy truth but because they don't know how to identify these prophets, they continually grab the ones that are broken or false. Such prophesy to please others. They want to grab the ones that are familiar or comfortable to them even though they haven't had one prophecy to come to pass.

The Word warns against such. These so-called prophets are familiar for a reason. They have allowed themselves to be bathed in a familiar or soothsaying spirit instead of Holy Ghost. These leaders do not want the truth! They, like Ahab, would rather hear something good and comfortable than be told the truth.

Read the chapter in 2 Chronicles 18. King Ahab asked King Jehoshaphat to go to war with him. Jehoshaphat asked the king of Israel if there was still a true prophet around. The king brought up his counsellors that were full of familiar spirits. All they ever did was prophesy about winning battles and prosperity.

But Jehoshaphat felt something was off and asked, “Isn't there a true prophet out there in your land?”

Ahab said there is one true prophet, “But he never prophesies good to me.”

You see true prophets aren't always going to be agreeable. They may say things that sting and cut. USE THEM ANYWAY! They aren't influenced by church leaders. They are less concerned about if their words hurt your flesh and more concerned about redeeming your soul from the pit of Hell. Their thermometer is working properly and they will help you produce great candy instead of the undercooked or overcooked, prideful brand you have been dispensing.

True prophets aren't looking to share or take your pulpit. The ones that are doing this are the ones you see prophesying good and peace and prosperity only. These prophets are usually either trying to steal your church from under you or financial and popularity increase. They either want to undermine your authority or to win you over so that you keep inviting them into your pulpit. Or both. Money and influence! They aren't concerned about real truth; they are concerned about their truth and their truth is nothing but gaining wealth and popularity.

Now I have sounded the alarm! You are warned. I have explained how the enemy is in the camp. Shepherds what are you going to do with this warning? The ball is in your court now. The cat has been let out of the bag. Now you are responsible to respond with wisdom and concern and not allow this to continue on your watch in your church!

An added note:

The prophetic is very real. You cannot have false prophets unless you have real ones. Test the spirits and know who you are allowing to communicate with your church body. But do not forget, God uses real prophets to do great things and teach the Church. Today more than ever!