Prophetic Nature

Because of some recent conversations, my heart has been exercised to write on the nature of the prophet. What type of people does God use to become prophetic people? Why are prophets like they are? Is there any commonality to those whom God uses or develops as prophets.

The short answer to the question is yes, there is a commonality to the type of person God uses as a prophet. Our understanding must start with the definition God gave me of "the prophet". God's definition to me was the following:

The Prophet is one who shows the emotions of God on a situation, circumstance  or person.

Remember that when the work of the Holy Spirit is looked at in the light of emotions, much of His function is to express to us the emotions of God. GOD IS EMOTIONAL! If we had the time and space we would follow emotions through the Word and prove this statement.

The key word in this definition that will help us understand is "emotions". In order to refine the prophet God must work on his emotions, refining the prophet's sensitivity. Because we are made in God's image, and called to display the invisible God in the visible realm, before God can use a man there are a number of things that must happen.

1. A man or woman must in some way accept the Lord Jesus Christ into their life, submitting their life to His renovation. Because we have and "idea" of what that looks like, for illustration I would ask you to read  Luke 7: 37-47. God accepts non-verbal repentance.
2. The person must recognize God's hand on their life and allow Him to work with them. This does not necessarily mean they know the position or placement of their call, just that they know they are called and allow God to deal in their lives. 
3. This person will most likely be someone whose emotions run deep, even if they have locked them up because of woundings or for some other reason.
4. If they are "locked up" God will begin to take them through experiences ordered by Him to unlock them.
5. Many around them will not understand the workings of God in their life and often will tell them that they are too emotional or sensitive. This accusation is made by those who do not understand the nature and call of those called to prophetic ministry. There is no such thing in God as being too sensitive!!!! I am called to be like Jesus my High Priest. I may need to learn how to steward it, but His heart is that I am able to be "touched with the feelings of" people's "infirmities." (Hebrews 4:15 KJV  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.) That takes a level of sensitivity that we do not yet have.
6.  When God purifies a prophet, he causes the Holy Spirit to work on the prophet's emotions until the prophet can feel and express the heart of God. A study of the prophets in the O.T. would reveal the extensive use of the prophet's emotions by the Spirit of God as he spoke through them.
7. As we go through the refining, the emotions get purified and the ability to receive the clarity of the message becomes stronger and easier.

 Although these principles could be expanded upon it helps to know these. When dealing with prophets, as God is dealing with them, there needs to be great patience exercised so that we do not interfere with God's work in them through our misunderstanding of what is happening.  Because God is taking prophets through this process and raising up more prophets, those who are around them need to walk in grace toward them.

Because God is sensitizing them, things that might not normally offend or wound others, will wound them. This wounding slows down the work of God in them because their energies and normal reactions when wounded by others is to draw back. This drawing back also causes them to draw back from God's dealings prolonging the process.

I just felt to write this because I see other ministry, who do not understand the nature that God chooses for prophetic expression. Because of this they both wound the prophet and slow down the work of God to bring clear prophetic words to His people through them.

Lord: I ask that you begin to make men and women sensitive to those who are called to the prophetic and their preparation. Release a spirit of understanding in the Body of Christ to recognize God's hand on people who are being processed to become prophets. Give them grace to walk with them and to extend them grace I pray, in Jesus Name. Amen