Discerning Prophetic Witchcraft: Exposing the Supernatural Divination That Is Deceiving Spiritually-Hungry Believers by Jennifer LeClaire

Author:Jennifer LeClaire [LeClaire, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion, Christian Living, Spiritual Warfare, Biblical Studies, Prophecy, Christianity, Pentecostal & Charismatic
ISBN: 9780768456127
Google: 0CzyDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Destiny Image Publishers
Published: 2020-08-18T00:13:48.700522+00:00

NOTES

1.Merriam-Webster, s.v. “Charisma,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charisma.

2.Merriam-Webster, s.v. “Hype,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hype.

CHAPTER 7

SELLING PROPHECY AND OTHER PROPHETIC SCAMS

Every week I get at least a handful of digital requests from precious people all over the world desperately seeking a prophetic word. Some come begging. Others come demanding. Still others come with money in hand to buy a prophecy or dream interpretation.

Seriously, this happens just about every day and more than once on most days. It’s an unfortunate symptom of modern-day prophetic ministry—prophetic ministry that has too often taught people to depend on prophets to “go to the throne” and “get a word” for them instead of fulfilling the Ephesians 4:11 mandate to equip the saints.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not at all against personal prophecy. In fact, at Awakening House of Prayer, my church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we have Prophecy Rooms every Friday night in both English and Spanish. Personal prophecy—edifying, exhorting, and comforting believers—is vital in this hour.

But prophetic ministry doesn’t operate like a gumball machine. You can’t put in a quarter—or send an e-mail or Facebook message—and out comes a prophetic word. It just doesn’t work that way. Part of this misunderstanding is rooted in the proliferation of what I call the “Internet prophets.” Some actually take out Google ads promoting how you can get a personal prophecy from them (even every day). Others promise a prophetic word delivered to your e-mail inbox for about the price of a tank of gas. (Sounds like a cheap car salesman ad or a personal injury attorney billboard, doesn’t it?)

When I see this sort of stuff, it grieves me for two reasons. First, the gifts of the Spirit are not for sale. We saw Simon the sorcerer try to buy the ability to lay hands on people and get them filled with the Holy Spirit. And we saw Peter sorely rebuke him for it. In fact, Peter said:

Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity (Acts 8:20-23).

And let’s not forget Elisha’s servant Gehazi. After Elisha helped Naaman find a cure for leprosy, the commander of the Syrian king’s army offered him a gift for his service. Elisha refused, even when Naaman urged him to take it. Gehazi ran after Naaman to collect a reward. Elisha found him out and Gehazi ended up a leper (see 2 Kings 5). I’m not saying that prophets cannot receive offerings for ministry. But we must be careful not to merchandise the gifts of the Spirit. Jesus said, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8).

Here’s my bottom line: I don’t believe in demanding “love offerings” or posting “suggested donation” amounts in exchange personal prophecy.

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