We are sometimes confronted by a Christian who claims to be a prophet and demands obedience. When we express doubts, the Christian then rebukes us for our lack of faith.

The prophet Jeremiah had to deal with prophets who gave messages opposite to what Jeremiah said. Whom do you believe? In Jeremiah  28: 9, Jeremiah explains "As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the LORD has truly sent."

You are allowed to wait to see if the prophecy comes true, and don't let anybody frighten you into pretending to believe a message that you have doubts about.

But if they are prophets, and if the word of the LORD is with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, do not go to Babylon.' Jeremiah 27:18

Remember that we are citing guidelines, not commands, for the gift of prophecy. Prophets can get prayers answered. God answers prayers in accord with His will, and if a prophet knows God's will, he will know what to pray for.

You will sometimes find a person who is not being used by God, who suddenly claims to be a prophet and demands obedience. Forget it. If that person really knows God's will, he or she will be getting prayers answered.

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. James 5:10

If you're looking for prestige and glory on earth, prophecy is not the gift for you. Despite having the greatest gift, the prophets were despised and persecuted.

Amaziah, the priest of the false shrine at Bethel, demanded that Amos stop prophesying.

14    Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: " I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit.
15     Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, And the LORD said to me, ' Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'

I have seen Christians defend their unsuccessful use of power by citing their education and accomplishments. Actually, their education was often based on misunderstanding of Scripture, and their past success is a lot less than they admit.

Amos had a clear, rock solid call from God to do what he did. A spiritual weakling, a confused saint, or a misguided "legend in his own mind" cannot be a prophet.

Hosea 9: 7-8 tells us about a problem in ancient Israel. "The prophet is a fool, The spiritual man is insane, Because of the greatness of your iniquity and great enmity. The watchman of Ephraim is with my God; But the prophet is a fowler's snare in all his ways --- Enmity in the house of his God."

Without being a prophet, the watchman continued to tell the truth. The prophets and spiritual men had collapsed spiritually due to the wickedness around them, but the watchman stayed true.

Anyone can speak God's Word when it is easy and safe. Speaking God's Word when it is unpopular and dangerous is another matter. Christians with the gift of prophecy will be under more stress when things are bad, and they have to have strength from God to hold up under that stress.

Requirements for a Prophet

I need to make something very clear: the Bible does not list the requirements of a prophet. I can list some guidelines, but these are not absolutes.

The Old Testament tells us the bizarre story of Balaam, who was paid to curse Israel but was forced to bless them instead. In Numbers 24, a distraught Balaam explains why he couldn't curse Israel:

12    So Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,
13    'If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak'?

If you want the gift of prophecy, you need to get something straight: you can only say what God tells you to say, whether you like it or not.

Is God willing to give YOU the gift of prophecy?

1 Corinthians 14:5 tells us  " I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied;"

Numbers 11:29 says "Then Moses said to him, "Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!"