Prophecy and a shoe…
In all the conversations we have, it often comes up that people are disappointed in God, or even worse – have said goodbye to God – because someone spoke a prophecy over them that didn’t come true.
I have many questions about this. What is the person’s view of God? Do they believe in a God who must ensure there are never any problems, needs, or shortages? Like: God blesses me in everything, but the moment they get sick or have a headache, they immediately blame God: why aren’t You making me better? What kind of God do they believe in? And is their faith based on what God does for them, or on who He is?
There are also questions about prophecy. In the Old Testament, many prophets spoke to the people of Israel with no uncertain words, telling them they needed to return to God so that He could bless them. If they didn’t, God would allow difficulties, until they turned back and followed God again. In the New Testament, we don’t see these prophets in the same way. Jesus came to make a way for us to reach God by defeating the power of sin through the tremendous sacrifice of His life. The gift of prophecy is still mentioned in the New Testament.
In churches and among Christians, it seems trendy to speak prophecies over one another. There are even courses: “You can learn to prophesy.” And prophetic evenings are organized. Want to receive a prophecy? Come right in! This always sounds strange to me. When God wants to say something to me, I first have the Bible, then the Holy Spirit, nature, and those around me. Receiving something special from someone for me personally is, of course, very cool! It makes me feel seen, like I matter in God’s eyes, and makes me feel really special: God took the time to say something very specific to me through another person!
But let’s go back to that other person.
What I’ve often experienced is that people who speak over my life in the form of a “prophecy” are actually speaking a wish or desire of their own for my life. They truly have it on their hearts and believe it’s a specific word from God for me. However, when I talk to them afterward, I discover that it’s something they themselves deeply long for, an area where they struggle with God. What happens then is that they speak out what they desire, as if speaking it brings hope of receiving it, but directed at me, not themselves.
Are all the things you would wish for another person wrong? No, of course not. But first, take a good look inside: is it really something from God for the other person? Or is there something more behind it? Are you struggling with something and wishing for breakthrough in that area for the other person, whether it applies to them or not? And be extremely cautious with the label ‘prophecy’. It carries a heavy weight.
Another topic is whether the prophecy actually comes to pass. If not, is the person who spoke it reliable? And what do you do with that? Do you confront them about it? Or just let it go?
I could ask many more questions about this, but it would get too much.
I have a beautiful example of someone who heard God’s Spirit and acted on it, whether it was right or not.
She felt in her heart to give a gift for shoes. She didn’t understand why or how, but she obeyed God and took action. She wrote a card and sent money with it. She humbled herself: “I don’t know if this is right, but I want to be obedient.” And what happened? I had needed new shoes for a while, I had been wearing hiking shoes that were torn for months, but I couldn’t afford new ones. Until I received this envelope! For me, it was a very special moment where God gave me a personal message. He saw me in this struggle and made sure I had the means to meet this need. I was super grateful. Grateful to God for showing me that He saw me in all my needs, no matter how practical they were! And grateful to this woman for being obedient to God and acting on what she had heard from the Holy Spirit. It was also very special for her! She had heard God’s voice, had been obedient even though she didn’t understand it, and wasn’t sure if it was correct. She received confirmation that it truly was God’s voice she had heard!
Let’s take this as a lesson. Be sensitive to God’s Holy Spirit, listen to His voice, and obey. And don’t project your own desires, wishes, or struggles onto someone else and slap the name ‘prophecy’ on it. That causes more harm than you realize. And if you’re not sure? Go to the person and ask them!
