A Message for the Prophetic Community: A Requisite of Prophetic Integrity
I had been in a series of “listening sessions” with The LORD, gathering the definitive statements that He was speaking to my thoughts…
Key were these:
“The Words that I give you are Spirit and they are Life… for I AM your Life.” (John 6:63)
I listened and engaged deeply with The LORD, pondering what The Holy Spirit was speaking, and where He was leading my thoughts…
Enclosed in this Message are a few of the culminating thoughts that He presented to me.
“Those who carry My Voice and appointed office must become consecrated vessels in order to carry My Word and divide it rightly.”
“They must be brought to maturity, made ready by the fires of trials.”
For awhile now I have been praying and “waiting upon The LORD” regarding the state of the prophetic movement in general in the Western Hemisphere…
So many voices clamoring for attention, raising up their public platforms, but very few really understanding the price of true prophetic consecration, and fewer still… ready, and willing to pay the personal cost for holiness.
Yes, There are the precious faithful, “tried and true” vessels who speak as beloved representatives of The LORD, but they are “few and far between…”
I watch the pendulum in the current prophetic community continually swing from a proliferation of self-indulgent soulishenss, to a harsh legalist lens, the latter — often derived from a bitter root, that crushes the spirit…
Perhaps even more serious to the defilement of the true prophetic are the many “second- hand” manufactured words, created out of “echo chambers”, not even given to the “vessel” by Father, and so, lacking the Grace of True Light because of misappropriation.
May The LORD have mercy in this, because it will be a high price to pay when one stands before Him.
“We are to be “His image bearers of Light and Love”
My attention had been drawn to those bringing forth the written Words of The LORD, and the seriousness of our call:
“to be found in (Him), transformed by His nature… into His image”… so that the “pure Word of The LORD” from “the Spirit of The LORD” would come forth from us…”
… Not that which is born of the flesh, with either a soulish mixture on one extreme, or harsh religious judgements often sourced from “the second heaven” on the other …. but that which comes from Father God’s heart, and has been tempered by His holy purifying fires of love and truth.
“But if they had stood in My council, then they would have caused My People to hear My Words, then they would have turned them [My people] from their evil way and from the evil of their doings.
AM I a God at hand,” says The LORD, “and not a God afar off?
Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?” says The LORD.
Do not I fill heaven and earth?” says The LORD.
“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My Name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed [visions on my bed at night].
[How long shall this state of things continue?] How long yet shall it be in the minds of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, even the prophets of the deceit of their own hearts…
The prophet who has a dream, let him tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]?” says The LORD.
Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says The LORD, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?
Therefore behold, I am against the [false] prophets, says The LORD, [I am even now descending upon them with punishment, these prophets] who steal My words from one another [imitating the phrases of the true prophets].” Jeremiah 23:22-26;28-30 AMPC.
“BEHOLD, I send My Messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And The LORD [the Messiah], Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger or Angel of the covenant, Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says The LORD of hosts.
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the priests, the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver, that they may offer to The LORD offerings in righteousness.
Then will the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasing to The LORD as in the days of old and as in ancient years.” Malachi 3:1-4 AMPC.
Character Development: Training Forged Through Testing and Time
In my work with leadership development and mentoring, I am called to instruct and disciple in these matters as they relate to the Prophetic call in the Body of Christ.
As well as distinguishing and encouraging growth in the personal giftings of The Holy Spirit, I am called even more to facilitate the development of strong, godly character in the ones He calls me to.
I could feel The Holy Spirit preparing me to speak further on the matter and had begun to record His counsel when a “gift book” arrived from a dear friend of mine…. so perfectly timed of The LORD that once again I was in awe of the affirmation for The LORD’s directives to me.
The book, “Prophetic Identity Formation”, by Bishop, Demetrius J Sinegal PH.D. brings a powerful treatise on the prophetic, deftly addressing foundational Biblical instruction with practical guidelines that anchor the true prophetic.
This book while thorough in scope, is most importantly, an invitation into a journey of authenticity.
I have long awaited someone “anointed and appointed” of The LORD, with both the necessary qualifications, and Biblical acuity to tackle this arena on a greater level for the Body of Christ.
Bishop Sinegal has consecrated himself to The LORD for such work, and is supported by a long standing community of integrity. He is clearly anointed and mantled of The LORD for this purpose in this Hour.
Sinegal’s work emphasizes a premise of transformation and character development, unlike many resources that function solely upon activation and technique.
His work,
“draws upon both ancient scriptural patterns and modern understanding of human development, offering a holistic approach to prophetic maturity that addresses the whole person the spirit, soul a body of a person.” (PIF p 3)
I pray that many of you might have the opportunity to search out his teachings, allowing his work to illuminate the foundational tenets of the true prophetic, while personally embracing wholeness and authenticity for yourselves.
( I enclose five short video clips at the end of this message. )
I invite you to delve into his godly instruction, while seeking a journey with The Holy Spirit’s guidance, that you may rightly examine your own journey of faith and gifting, learning to recognize and steward with deep integrity, that which is truly “born of the Spirit”.
As The LORD’s representatives, we must come into the place where we truly allow The Holy Spirit to examine hidden motives, and “undercurrents” directing our hearts.
In his book, Sinegal opens,
“The prophetic calling is both magnificent and demanding. While many are drawn to the supernatural dimensions of prophecy, the dreams, visions, and words of knowledge, few understand the rigorous inner work required to steward such sacred responsibility. This book bridges that gap, taking you beyond the surface manifestations of prophetic gifting into the depths of “prophetic becoming”. You will discover that the most powerful prophetic voices are not simply those who hear from God most frequently, but those who who have been most throughly transformed by what they have heard.” (PIF, p.2)
A Requisite of Reverence
Personally, I’ve walked with The LORD now in ministry for over 25 years, discovering and stewarding not only the revelatory gifts appointed to me, but the Prophetic Office that The LORD has called me to…
This is not a self-appointed role, nor even necessarily desired by me, but has been undeniable in both design and function, in the rigour of the journey, and the requirements of consecration.
There is indeed a requisite of deep reverence for the sacredness of the call, and a required maturity in order to be a vessel that carries the Word and unction of The LORD in humble obedience.
This, for the greater purposes of the Kingdom, and building up of the Body of Christ, edifying in both love and truth, drawing people to our Adonai, and not to ourselves, nor for personal gain.
In the scriptures, Paul admonishes the servant-leaders, we are to be “people of sincerity, and the purest motive, as commissioned and sent by God, speaking His message in Christ in the very sight and presence of God.” (2 Corinthians 2:17)
“But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,
For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: to the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is qualified (fit and sufficient) for these things? [Who is able for such a ministry? We?]
For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God’s Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight and presence of God.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 AMPC.
The Crisis of Prophetic Immaturity
In his book Sinegal calls out very clearly,” the crisis of immaturity, and soulishness, that has tainted the current prophetic movement.
“In this generation, we are witnessing an unprecedented outpouring of prophetic gifting. Dreams are proliferating, visions are increasing, and prophetic words are flowing with remarkable frequency. Yet alongside this supernatural acceleration, we are also witnessing a crisis of prophetic maturity. Too many gifted individuals are operating in prophetic function without prophetic formation. They can hear the voice of God, but they struggle to steward it with wisdom, integrity, and emotional stability.” (PIF p2)
Emotional Well-Being
Also necessary to the purity of the message and function of the prophetic and intercessory role, is healing of the personal soul.
In his work, Sinegal prioritizes emotional well-being as foundational to the life of a prophetic servant,
“The work that you do in secret will impact the words that you speak in public. The healing that you pursue in private will affect the hope that you can offer to others.” (PIF p.6)
Inner Healing
This is one of the primary areas that The LORD has called me to minister His Grace, Healing, and Counsel.
Over the years I have been concerned with how many gifted people are personally struggling so greatly in this area, not realizing how their unhealed emotional wounds skews perspective, tainting the message, the means, and the outcome of what they’ve been given to steward.
Unhealed inner wounds can cause harsh undertones of judgement, and condemnation on one end of the continuum, and on the other side, where soulishness is harnessed above spirit, the individual can be led on a self-directed treadmill, seeking affirmation, worth and identity in the gifting, rather than in true sonship and identity in Christ.
On the whole, we desperately need a thorough, individual and corporate, “heart-check” so that we don’t have a much greater “ship-wreck”….
“Return to the Ancient paths where you will find My blessings!” says The LORD.
“Such is the reliance and confidence that we have through Christ toward and with reference to God. Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. [It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 AMPC.
“The path of prophetic formation is narrow and demanding, but it leads to a place of extraordinary usefulness in God’s hands.
Begin with prayer. Continue in Faith. Trust the process. (The true prophetic voice is needed)* but it must be forged in the fires of authentic formation. Let that work begin now.” (PIF, p6,7 (brackets mine))
Bishop Sinegal — Essential
* How do I distinguish God’s voice from my own?
* What are the signs that you are a prophet?
* Prophetic Genetics
* What Makes a Prophet a Prophet?
* Prophetic Stamina
~ Shelley M Ed
Shelley M Ed/ LifeSetMinistries: Ordained Minister CMA/ working with Leaders and Ministry Houses: US/CAN/INT. Leadership development, counselling, and oversight.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom…. Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning” Luke 12:32;35.