The main aim of the individual in our society is to be autonomous—to be free to do whatever or go wherever he or she desires. This is integral to a personal belief system. So it’s hardly surprising that the spiritual gift of prophecy is seen by some as a way one can determine his or her own future—autonomy of action is to many the ultimate freedom. It was also the original temptation (Genesis 3:5).
The idea of being the prophet of one’s own life has a certain appeal. Surely if God has given us His Spirit to do the works that Jesus did, and Jesus himself has granted us Power of Attorney—the authority to act in his Name—does not this mean that a Christian has the ultimate form of autonomy? Cannot believers “use” prophecy as a means of determining their destiny? Not if our role model is Jesus.
Jesus faced torture and violent death with messianic prophecies about himself in mind. “For the time has come for this prophecy to be fulfilled in me: ‘He was reckoned among those who were rebels.’ For the things written about me by the prophets will come to pass.” (Luke 22:37)
The Garden of Gethsemane was the place of preparation for the final battle ahead. The emotionally exhausted disciples slept a stone’s throw away from where he agonized in prayer—to the point of sweating drops of blood (Luke 22:39-46).
For Jesus, prophetic warfare was the tension between what the scriptures had said he would do and what it would cost him to do it. “Nevertheless” (verse 42) marked the total submission of his will to that of his Father. It was then that an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. The warfare had been spiritually intensive and physically draining.
The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to “fight a good fight” by recalling to mind the prophecies that had been spoken over his life. (I Timothy 1:18) A spiritual gift had been given him through the hands of the elders (I Timothy 4:14). Paul warned him not to neglect that gift. He later encouraged him to “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6) It would seem that the burning flame of Timothy’s zeal was in danger of becoming hot coals.
We have all been entrusted with a God-given role in life. Our natural gifts enable us to perform that role to the general approval of those around about us. Have those who have observed you in that role remarked on how well you do it? How well a person performs is usually seen in how comfortable they are in their role, and how stress-free they are at the end of the day.
The gift of prophecy has a similar function in the church. Through it God, who knows the end from the beginning, gives us a glimpse of our future. He usually gives us a prophecy through a church elder or other mature leader.
A prophecy is not a psychological boost—it is a spiritual encouragement. It is not Positive Thinking—it is Prophetic Assurance. Nor will it simply happen, no matter what, without some active involvement on the part of the person who receives it. (Psalm 105:17-22; Acts 23:10-24)
We conduct prophetic warfare when we call to mind what God said we would do, and when we use His words as spiritual weapons against whatever is hindering or opposing us. Mark refers to obstacles as mountains. (Mark 11:23)
So fight to prove that what God said about you is true—not to prove that what someone said about you was not. Forget your school teacher’s destructive words that you would never amount to anything. Words are prime weapons in prophetic warfare, and can be used either to build up or to pull down (2 Corinthians 10).
Timothy’s service for God began when those who knew him recommended him. (Acts 18:2) He replaced John Mark, who had left the field of battle. Years later, as a leader in his own right, Timothy initially felt inadequate—not equal to the opportunity. His earliest role models had been his believing mother and grandmother. Timothy was timid. He was regarded by others as too young for the ministry position he held. He also had a queasy stomach. (I Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 1:5-7)
Paul encouraged the timid young minister to develop the toughness of a soldier, the discipline of an athlete, and the patience of a farmer (2 Timothy 2). He encouraged Timothy to “war” by using the prophecies that had been spoken over his life—using them as “weapons” in the fight against hindrances and obstructions. Since God had said he would—then he could!
Prophecies are effective weapons of spiritual warfare. We say, “I can do it because God said that I would!” This is not metaphysics. (“You can if you think you can!”) It is simply repeating what God has already said. In New Testament terms this is known as testifying, which in Christian terms is repeating what God has said.
Are you using the prophecies spoken over you in your battle to do what God has said you would? No one but you can hinder them. How? By sleeping through the battle, as did the Lord’s disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane (and fleeing as fearfully as they did).
Jesus Christ was not the prophet of his own life but matched the messianic description of the prophets by his words and actions. (Some prophecies, such as “Not a bone of his body is broken,” were beyond his control as he hung lifeless on the Cross. The lesson is that when you and I have done all we can do, our loving heavenly Father will take care of the rest.)
Since prophecies play an important part in spiritual warfare, the question that naturally arises is why the spiritual gift of prophecy is not more widely exercised in church meetings—ought not a gift that builds up the church be one that every Christian should seek more eagerly? The Apostle Paul thought so.
You are not the prophet of your own life—God is! You are not the one who determines your future—God has already done that. You are a spiritual warrior with an effective weapon: inspired words which have told you that, despite your human fears and failings, you will win out in the end – if you don’t give up. Bear in mind always that whatever you do, God foreknew. But what you will do or not do will be up to you! So the question is not whether you can win—it’s whether or not you are willing to win.
You may not be not the prophet of your own life, but how much you accomplish in life will determine whether you become all that God knows you are capable of, and how much you achieve will be up to you. It’s not like a dog chasing its own tail but you becoming what God knew you can be.
The Eternal is with you in Time and waiting for you beyond Time in Eternity. If you can’t work this out, just do your best to be all that He said you could and fall into the arms of Jesus when you arrive in Heaven!