Prepared for the Times How to recognise a prophet Opinion & Analysis

Jesus said in John 7:18: “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

The Greek word that is translated “glory” here is doxa and could have been translated “recognition.” Both of these words are appropriate. When our motives are to seek our own glory, or recognition, we will not be true messengers of God. If we are going to be used as prophets, we must have the motive of seeking to do God’s will and turn people to Him, not to ourselves.

To help prophetic people with these motives, prophets are rarely recognized as such until after they are dead and no longer a threat. Most prophets must endure constant persecution, accusations, and threats just as we see in the life of the ultimate Prophet, Jesus. Therefore, a true prophet’s acceptance and encouragement must come from the recognition of God, not men.

Another nearly constant problem for true prophets are the false proph... ...

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