How to Test Prophecy: Your Complete Guide for Believers

Part 2 of 3 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 9 minute read

Learning how to test prophecy is a vital and biblical practice for every believer who wants to grow in the prophetic gift. Building on the foundation we established in Part 1 — where we defined prophecy, explored its purpose, and understood its supernatural operation, we now turn to a critical skill: discernment. Just as a jeweler must learn to distinguish genuine gems from imitations, so must we learn to recognize authentic prophetic words from those that miss the mark.

Foundational Principles: How to Test Prophecy Biblically

Prophesying effectively requires biblical wisdom and spiritual discernment, and knowing how to test prophecy is a key part of that process. As believers seeking to honor God through prophetic ministry, we must carefully evaluate prophetic messages to ensure they align with Scripture and glorify Jesus.

3 Non-Negotiable Tests for Every Prophetic Word

Whether you're receiving prophecies from other believers or exercising the gift of prophecy yourself, these time-tested guidelines will help to safeguard your spiritual journey while fostering authentic prophetic ministry.

By applying these simple biblical tests, you'll be equipped to judge prophecies confidently. Questions to consider when you need to test prophecy:

• Does the prophecy present God's truth and glorify Jesus?
  
  "'When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you'" (John 16:13–14).
• Does the prophecy agree with the Scriptures without twisting their meaning?
  
  "Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:15–16).
• Does the prophecy bring edification, exhortation, and comfort to the Body of Christ (the Church)?
  
  As we explored in Part 1, these three qualities — edification, exhortation, and comfort — are the hallmarks of genuine prophecy. Any prophetic word that tears down, condemns, or brings fear instead of faith should be carefully examined. (See our foundational teaching on these three qualities in Part 1.)

The Divine Order: When and How to Judge Prophecy

Paul says, "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged" (1 Corinthians 14:29–33).

It can be argued that in their context, Paul's words have more to do with the order of those prophesying than with judging the prophecy; however, since some have applied this meaning to judging prophecies, I'll address that interpretation.

Note the order: the prophets speak, then the others judge. Some leaders, in their sincere desire to protect the congregation, request to review prophecies beforehand. If followed, this practice may lead to a spiritual-sounding message, but it won't be an inspired prophecy and it carries the potential of being influenced by what has already been shared.

That's because authentic prophecy flows in the moment as the Spirit gives utterance. Neither those prophesying nor those listening can know the substance of a prophetic message before it has been delivered. An understanding of this supernatural flow helps maintain the genuine character of prophetic ministry.

4 Key Indicators of a Truly God-Given Prophecy

The First Epistle of John says, "Beloved, do not believe every [human, angelic, or demonic] spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1, emphasis added).

The Greek word δοκιμάζω (dokimazō), translated as "test," means by strong implication "to discern." So, how can we discern or "test the spirits"? The Holy Spirit has wisely given us the supernatural ability — the gift of discerning of spirits — so we can test with assurance whether the individual prophesying is inspired by the Spirit of God or under the influence of another spirit.

For example, Luke the Evangelist recounts: "Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, 'These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And he came out that very hour" (Acts 16:16–18).

Notice that the slave girl's word was entirely accurate, yet was a counterfeit of prophecy. The men were the servants of the Most High God who were proclaiming the way of salvation. By exercising the gift of discernment of spirits, Paul determined that it was a spirit of divination (Πύθων Pythōn) who inspired the slave girl to speak, not the Spirit of God.

Paul warns, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).

Consider the Following Indicators

1. Was the prophecy delivered in the spirit of love?
   
   As we established in Part 1, love is the foundation of all genuine prophecy: "Though I have the gift of prophecy ... but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2).
2. Is the prophesier a person who bears good fruit of the Spirit?
   
   A true prophet's life will demonstrate godly character: "'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits'" (Matthew 7:15–16).
3. Is the prophesier submitting to the local leadership in the Body of Christ?
   
   Genuine prophets operate within the accountability of the Body of Christ, whereas false prophets do not: "From among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:30).
4. Is the prophesier open to having the prophecy tested?
   
   Authentic prophets welcome examination of their words: "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21, emphasis added).

Testing Corporate Prophecy: A Guide for the Church

A genuine prophecy will never contradict the Word of God; therefore, having knowledge of the Scriptures that's free from denominational bias is helpful when applying the biblical tests.

Realize that, except for Jesus, it's unlikely that any human has ever delivered a perfect prophecy. As Paul says, "We know in part and we prophesy in part" (1 Corinthians 13:9).

By knowing how to test prophecy, we can weigh carefully what's being prophesied. As Paul instructed Timothy, we need to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Rightly divide means to accurately handle and put in application the word of truth.

Whether testing of the prophetic was done by each individual or involved a group discussion is not clear in the Scriptures. Regardless, each one of us is responsible for testing and weighing the words we hear.

However, remember that none of us is perfect; we've all misspoken at times. Each person's prophetic journey is unique, and every genuine word from God deserves to be received with respect and gratitude.

While we carefully test prophecies, it's important to maintain an atmosphere of love and respect for those stepping out in faith to share what God is saying. This approach helps create a safe environment where the prophetic gift can flourish.

A Practical Guide to Testing Personal Prophecy

Spoken prophecies can be for the benefit of a group of people or just one person, so it's not feasible for every prophecy to be judged by a group of believers. However, Paul reminds, "Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21).

When you receive a personal prophecy, your approach to how to test prophecy becomes more individual. If the message is truly from God, you should feel an inner confirmation. This sense of confirmation from the Holy Spirit within you should align with the same biblical tests used to evaluate group prophecy. The key difference? YOU are responsible for the testing.

You should be able to relate to a personal prophecy in an edifying, positive sense if it's genuine, even if you don't fully understand its meaning at the time. Otherwise, set it on the proverbial shelf to test its possibility of fulfillment, or simply let it go.

Moving in Wisdom: Balancing Discernment and Faith

True prophecies bring edification, encouragement, and comfort. Therefore, when evaluating prophetic words, remember these key principles:

1. Focus on the fruit: Does the message build up the Body of Christ and align with God's character?
2. Maintain balance: While exercising careful discernment, avoid becoming over critical or suspicious.
3. Create a nurturing environment: Support those stepping out in prophetic ministry while maintaining biblical standards.

Fear of imperfection can paralyze believers, causing them to suppress their prophetic ability and other gifts of the Spirit. While caution has its place, excessively worry can inadvertently silence the Holy Spirit's guidance and promptings.

While we should know how to test prophecy, dwelling on false prophecies isn't helpful. Many believers become hesitant to use their prophetic gift because they're afraid of getting it wrong. Though this caution is altogether natural, it can block the Holy Spirit's work through prophecy.

Learning how to test prophecy is important, but obsessing over potential mistakes can hinder our prophesying. As believers develop their prophetic ability, a healthy balance of faith and courage is key. God's grace embraces our learning, and He celebrates our faith-filled attempts to prophesy His messages.

God is patient with us as we learn to exercise the gift of prophecy, like a parent helping a child take his or her first steps. By applying the biblical principles we've discussed, you can confidently move forward in prophetic ministry while maintaining sound scriptural guidelines.

Always remember: the Holy Spirit gives only good gifts (Luke 11:11–13). When you are moved by the Spirit to prophesy (2 Peter 1:20), your words will uplift and spiritually edify those who hear them.

You now possess the biblical tools to confidently evaluate prophetic words, whether spoken to you personally or delivered in a corporate setting. This discernment will serve you well, not only as a recipient of prophecy but also as one who prophesies.

For here's the beautiful truth: God doesn't just want you to receive prophetic words; He wants to speak through you. The same Holy Spirit who helps you test prophecy also empowers you to deliver it.

Your Next Steps in Prophetic Ministry

Testing prophecy isn't meant to make us suspicious or overcritical; it's meant to protect the purity of this precious gift and create an environment where the prophetic can flourish. With these biblical safeguards in place, you're now ready for the most exciting part of your prophetic journey.

In our third and final article, How to Prophesy, we'll move from receiving and testing prophecy to actually delivering it. You'll discover practical, step-by-step guidance for stepping out in faith, understanding the mechanics of prophetic delivery, and finding your authentic prophetic voice.

The gift of prophecy isn't reserved for a select few; it's available to every believer baptized in the Holy Spirit who desires it. Are you ready to become a vessel through whom God speaks His words of edification, exhortation, and comfort?

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About the Author

Don Bell is the creator of the Kingdom Anointing website and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He shares insights from his spiritual journey to encourage ordinary believers to seek God's Kingdom and walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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Hi, I'm Don

It's great to meet you! I'm not a pastor or theologian, but a believer who discovered the power of the Holy Spirit through personal experience. My prayer is that Kingdom Anointing™ will help you — a fellow believer — build your faith, walk confidently in the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and realize your full potential in the Kingdom of God. Let's discover together what God has in store for you.