Who doesn't like to hear prophets say nice things - God is going to do great things for you, God is going to enlarge your borders, God is going to lift you up and let your enemies see that He is with you, etc.? Usually the prophecies are vague to the point that we cannot outright point out that they never happened! But if we would like others to respect us as prophets, aren't these the kind of prophecies we can safely make?
All of us are not meant to be prophets (1Co.12:29). But there are people who even teach how everyone can prophesy, totally misquoting 1Co.14:31. It does not mean that all of us can prophesy, but that all who have the gift of prophecy can take turns so that all of them can speak! See the context of the verse!
There is a kind of prophecy that is open to all of us and that is to speak from the word of God in order to bless others (1Co.14:1,3). We don't have to this publicly unless we have that calling, but we can all encourage one another as we meet together in person.
But real prophets - who hear from God and pass on His message to people - do not desire to impress others or to seek recognition. Just think about the kind of messages that are actually needed to be spoken in churches these days. "Avoid the wrath of God, turn away from sin and pursuing your pleasures, fear God, get things right with God and people, remember your time is short and repent before it is too late, etc." These words are hardly heard among God's people.
The impression being given out by many preachers is that God loves us, He is delighted over us, He has planned wonderful things for us, He understands our weaknesses, etc. In effect, there is really nothing for us to learn, change, seek after, or do, except that we should not miss meetings, we should pay our tithes, we must contribute to the programmes of the church, etc. Have you heard someone tell the church that some of the people really do not know God (1Co.15:34)?
Admonition and rebuke can only be done in church by fathers who love God and His people. But many leaders love their reputation more than the people whom they are supposed to love. What a great responsibility it is to speak to the people in such a way that they will turn from their sins to God, change their attitudes and behaviour and allow the Holy Spirit to mould them into the character of Jesus!
Paul's heart was, "Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ" (Ga.1:10). "The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted" (Pr.29:25). We have to be constantly on the watch against, "What will they think about me, or do to me," and moving away from the path of keeping our heart right before the Lord always, and doing what He wants us to do, irrespective of how it will affect our reputation. One day, we will have to give an account before the Lord (Ro.14:12).
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