YOU ARE YOUR GREATEST PROPHET – APOST. WILLIAMS MOMODU
YOU ARE YOUR GREATEST PROPHET.
The passages you cited, Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:1-5, are foundational to understanding the New Testament concept of prophecy for believers.
They highlight a significant shift from the Old Testament, where prophecy was often restricted to a select few, to a new era where the Spirit is poured out on “all flesh.”
You Are Your Greatest Prophets:
An Explanation:
The statement “You are your greatest prophets” encapsulates a profound truth for born-again believers:
Joel 2:28 prophesies a future where God will “pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.” This isn’t limited to a priestly class or specific individuals.
Acts 2:1-5 describes the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit descends upon all the disciples gathered, enabling them to speak in other tongues and Peter then explains this phenomenon by quoting Joel 2:28.
This event demonstrates that the outpouring of the Spirit, and with it the capacity for prophetic expression, is now available to every believer.
Therefore, “You are your greatest prophets” means that as a born-again believer, you have direct access to the Holy Spirit, who is the source of all prophecy.
You don’t need an intermediary to hear from God. The Holy Spirit dwells within you, empowering you to hear His voice, receive revelation, and communicate His heart and will. While there are still prophetic offices and individuals gifted in this area, every believer has the potential and privilege to operate prophetically in some capacity.
Four Dimensions to Operate in Your Prophetic as a Born-Again Believer:
These dimensions are not exhaustive but provide a framework for understanding and engaging with the prophetic gift available to all believers:
1. The Dimension of Hearing (Receiving Revelation):
Description: This is the foundational dimension. Before you can speak prophetically, you must first hear from God. This involves cultivating an ear to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit, which can come through various means:
A. Inner Witness/Impression: A strong sense or knowing in your spirit.
B. Scripture: God speaking to you directly through His written Word.
C. Dreams and Visions: As mentioned in Joel 2:28, these are still valid avenues of divine communication.
D. Audible Voice (Rare but possible): The Lord speaking directly.
E. Circumstances: Discerning God’s hand and message within your daily life events.
# Practical Application: Spend time in prayer, meditation on Scripture, and quiet contemplation. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Journal your thoughts and impressions.
2. The Dimension of Interpretation and Understanding:
Description: Hearing from God is one thing; understanding what He is saying is another. This dimension involves seeking clarity and meaning from the revelation you receive. Not every impression is a direct word for others, and sometimes a personal word needs to be processed to understand its implications. This requires wisdom, discernment, and often, humility to admit when you don’t fully understand.
# Practical Application: Ask clarifying questions of the Holy Spirit. Seek counsel from mature believers if needed (while still maintaining your direct line to God). Compare what you hear with Scripture. Avoid jumping to conclusions or imposing your own interpretations too quickly.
3. The Dimension of Proclamation (Speaking and Acting):
Description: Once you’ve heard and understood, the prophetic dimension moves into proclamation. This isn’t always about standing up and giving a public word. It can take many forms:
A. Speaking Words of Encouragement, Edification, and Comfort: As described in 1 Corinthians 14:3, this is a primary function of prophecy.
B. Intercessory Prayer: Praying God’s heart and will into specific situations.
C. Worship: Expressing prophetic truths through song and adoration.
D. Righteous Action: Living out God’s values and truth in your daily life, which can prophetically declare His kingdom.
E. Direct Prophetic Utterance: Sharing a specific word from the Lord for an individual or group (with wisdom and discernment).
# Practical Application: Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit to speak. Exercise courage in sharing what you believe God is saying, but always with love and humility. Test every word (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).
4.The Dimension of Discernment and Testing:
Description: This crucial dimension ensures the integrity and purity of prophetic expression. Not every impression or utterance is from God, and even genuine prophetic words need to be evaluated. This involves:
A. Scriptural Alignment: Does the word align with the character of God and the truths of His Word?
B. Fruit: Does the word bring forth good fruit (e.g., peace, encouragement, conviction leading to repentance, not condemnation)?
C. Witness of the Spirit: Does the word resonate with your spirit and the spirits of other mature believers?
D. Accountability: Being open to correction and feedback from trusted spiritual leaders and mentors.
# Practical Application: Don’t be
afraid to question or test a word, even if it comes from someone you respect. Cultivate a community where healthy discernment is encouraged. Prioritize the love of God above all else in your prophetic endeavors.
By embracing these four dimensions, born-again believers can step more fully into the incredible privilege and responsibility of operating in their prophetic calling, demonstrating the reality of Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:1-5 in their lives and in the world around them.
