MANIPULATION, CONTROL, & DIVINATION
We must also ensure that we are never using what we see or hear to manipulate or control anyone. We see in part, not in whole and our finite human brains cannot fully interpret the supernatural.
Let me give you an example. I was at an event one time when I saw a golden eagle fly into the room. I could only see a wing on one side of it’s body and then it was gone. I asked God what it was and all I heard Him say was, “My protection”. That was it. Later in the event I came to find out someone had prophesied to the presenter that he is like an eagle with one wing. Flying straight, but God was rebuilding his other wing. I didn’t know what it was and why it entered the room. But, beyond asking God what it was, I didn’t obsess over it.
The same goes for the demonic. There have been times I have watched a demonic entity enter a room. Rather than being afraid of it, acting weird, or rebuking it. I ask the Lord what He wants me to see and what He wants me to do. Usually, He tells me just to pray in the Spirit. When I do, it will usually disappear, or - God shows me what the angels are doing to take care of it. His power is demonstrated, my faith is built, and I can feel the atmosphere of the room shift.
We do not serve a God that is afraid of the demonic. He is the name above all names, the King above all kings, and Lord above all Lords. He is doing way more on any given day than the enemy and as those who are prophetic - it’s important that we seek His perspective in anything that we see, hear, or experience. Remember, the devil disguises himself as an angel of light. So, he will try to deceive you above all things.
This also means that we don’t always get to tell people everything that we see or hear from God. There are mysteries that God shows up out of intimacy, trust, and relationship with us that aren’t meant to be shared. We don’t get the whole picture most of the time. Let me give you another example.
One day, I had two of my prophetic friends praying with me about something. One was given words. She heard God say something very specific about the season we were in. My other friend, didn’t get any words but just kept seeing this ball of yarn where God was tying loose ends together. The two together confirmed what God was saying to me in that moment. Both prophetic, both slightly different in their gifting, but confirmation of each other.
We don’t get to interpret what God is saying to someone. Only they can do that in partnership with the Holy Spirit. Everything my two friends had said was confirmation (except one part) of what God had already been speaking to me. The part that wasn’t confirmation? The Lord showed me where her human interpretation was diluting the message. How did I know this? Because I took it to the Lord.
Every word we receive and every word we give must go before the Lord. We must audit it in His presence and in the quiet place at His feet. There, we can find interpretation, context, and clarity.
We also don’t get to tell people what they need to do next. Very rarely will God give specific details or the blueprint of instructions someone needs to follow through another person. There will usually be general themes or you might sense something. But, things like prophesying who they will marry, that they need to have children, or move to a specific city when they haven’t heard these things can be very dangerous and harmful. Trust me, I have made this mistake before (both giving and receiving) and there were painful consequences. So, in general - I would recommend you avoid them all together. He orders their steps. You don’t need to.