Knowledge; lesson # 10

Knowledge; lesson #10
Prophecy should have knowledge in it. Though this seems obvious, it is the person who is prophesying’s responsibility to convey knowledge in a precise, understandable way to the listener. Paul says “If a trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? . . . Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.” (1 Cor 14:8-9). In Habakkuk we find that the Lord told him to “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that the herald may run with it. (Hab 2:2). It does no good to speak vague, unclear things as if somehow the Lord will make it clear later on. The knowledge is important, and we who prophesy must make it a clear message to the listeners.

We are familiar with the practice of horoscopes. They are purposefully vague so that anyone who reads one sees a “fit” for themselves. I’ve heard many people say “That just fits me” or “that fits my day”. However, the information given in the horoscope could fit just about any person, just about any day. The writers of horoscopes do not get their information from God. If they did, the information would be precisely for the person spoken to, and convey understanding of what was being said. The purpose behind the giving of horoscopes could be anything from gaining employment to becoming famous. The purpose behind giving prophecies is to speak God’s Words, for His purposes or goals.

The knowledge that we find in prophecies is not just information. Many people love information and seek God for more and more data. They are opening themselves up for deception. We do not seek God for what He can give us, as if we are a purveyor of goods. His knowledge is precious, like jewels, and it should be a treasured experience when He shares knowledge with us.

It is our human nature to not want to take too much risk, or place ourselves in a situation where we might be wrong. God understand this. He knows that we don’t want to offend people, appear to be a “know-it-all”, or err. However, this aspect of our human nature can cause us to be purposefully vague, withholding details that might bear witness in the heart of the listener if we had given the full message. It is hard to follow a conversation in which the listener shares secrets which you withheld from the prophecy with “I also heard that.” The believability cannot be gendered in the same way as when you had included the information in your prophecy before you knew it. Remember that the Lord speaks a thing before it happens so that we cannot say “I already knew that,” (Is 48:7) or, so that the information would not seem to come from another source (like “mother nature, or a spirit other than God’s. See Is 48:5). Keeping knowledge in the prophecy puts the prophesier at risk for being wrong, mistaken, and rejected. Yet it is the nature of prophecy to contain knowledge which God is revealing for His purposes.

I remember a time when a friend returned from studying at a charismatic Christian school. She shared that the practice they had learned concerning prophecy was to suggest that the Lord might be leading a person in a certain way. Her words of ministry were littered with “I think” and “Please pray about this yourself, but perhaps the Lord is saying . . . “ A few nights after our visit the Lord gave me dream wherein I was dressing up for an important occasion. I had on a royal blue dress with princess seams, which was close-fitting. I sat before a mirror, putting earrings on, when my husband appeared at the door and announced “come on, it’s time to go.” As I rose and turned to follow him, I glanced back at the mirror and discovered to my horror that the back of the dress plunged down to my waist! After praying about this dream, the Lord shared with me that to be one who speaks His words was a “royal” position, but though it may seem “fitting” to be “suggestive” (suggest), He would not “back” me. In other words, the Lord would not bear witness to watered down words that I suggested might be from Him.

You might wonder what to do with leadings from the Lord which seem vague or ill-defined. These often precede a leading by the Lord towards team work. It is not unusual for intercessory prayer to begin with a feeling, or a piece of knowledge from the Lord. Through group prayer more knowledge is brought in because more people are bringing their gift of prophecy into use. Paul writes about groups of prophets speaking in church. He gives greater importance to hearing from the one who receives a revelation (1 Cor 14:29-30). The revelation is the full picture of all the “pieces” the prophets are seeing. It should not be discouraging that we “prophesy in part” (1 Cor 13:9). God can put all the parts together, giving revelation to impart to all who are listening. The knowledge and understanding that is missing from one person’s prophecy can be supplied through another’s.

I often get “knowings” from the Lord that have no words attached to them. It takes time and practice to put language to things that are imparted by the Lord which by-pass our language center. If you have had this experience do not fret. The Lord has given you a gift He himself will help you to develop. He will ask you questions so that you will find words to answer Him. He will show you things so that you will describe them. The language will come. Wait on the words, for God is in the business of words. When we “sense” something, or “know” something that needs a language to describe it, it is like having the gift of tongues without the oral part of the gift. David writes that he will “open my dark saying upon the harp” (Ps 49:4). Without the light of understanding we do not have much useful knowledge. In the NIV Bible the translation states “with the harp I will expound my riddle.” The meaning of the little bit of information or knowledge David began with grew as he sang. “Knowings” are opportunities for “growings”. We grow dark sayings into productive prophesies by spending time with the Lord. If you receive knowings, you have a divine appointment with God. He awaits your time.

Knowledge helps a person work towards preparation and prevention. Without knowledge there would be no obedience, understanding, or discernment. Though this lesson has no application section, let the Lord lead you in developing a language to speak more precisely on those things which He is sharing with you, and to “grow” your “knowings” for the benefit of others.