As spirit-filled Christians we believe in prophecy. We believe that the Holy Spirit can move upon an individual and speak through an individual the words of divine revelation that God wants to impart to His church in this hour. Prophecy is one of the Gifts of the Spirit as found in I Corinthians. The Holy Spirit desires to move through the Body of Christ with the utterance of prophecy just as much today as in the early church.

Having said the things above, I want to address some issues that are problematic in the Body of Christ today pertaining to the area of prophecy. First, let me say as clearly as I can, nobody but nobody can give a prophetic word today that would supersede or supplant the authority of the written word of God as found in the Bible. If anyone tells you otherwise, then that person is either momentarily deluded, or worse, a false prophet altogether. You must determine this matter in your own heart if you choose to listen to such a person. If you choose to neglect your duty of discernment, then you do so to your own peril. And, there is a lot at stake when it comes to your spirituality and your future.

We are hearing some ministers who are actually teaching that the Bible is no longer relevant in today’s world and, at the same time, these ministers claim to have current prophetic revelation that actually supersedes the authority of the Bible. This is a most damnable heresy. If you are currently in a church that is teaching such grievous error, then you should run out the door and never look back. If any Pastor or so-called spiritual leader says that a modern prophetic word spoken today has more authority than the written words found in the Bible, then that Pastor or so-called spiritual leader is a liar and a heretic. The person who would speak such lies is a false prophet, a charlatan, a white-washed sepulcher. Indeed, their throat is an open grave.

We have this problem in the Body of Christ today. In fact, there are churches where the congregations are told that they need not to bring their Bibles to church anymore as it appears too religious and out-dated to be seen “walking around with a Bible tucked under your arm”. Or, even worse, it is reported that some ministers are even teaching that the words of the Bible are outdated and no longer relevant today. And, these same ministers claim that they are now operating solely in the realm of the prophetic revelation they are receiving from God. This is beyond heresy, it is demonic. It is a demon-inspired teaching because it directly rebels against the Word of God and it prevents the listener from reading or studying the Word of God. The Pastors who are preaching or allowing such heresy to be preached in their churches are going to pay a severe price. The Bible says that if a spiritual leader deliberately misleads the flock then, outer darkness awaits that Pastor. Yes, it is possible for a Pastor to end up in Hell if he or she turns their back on the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. To put it in street vernacular “Hell will be very hot for the Pastor who deliberately leads the people astray”.

The above described approach to ministry and the inordinate emphasis on the prophetic has led to a flood of false teaching, a flood of false manifestations, a flood of demonic activity within the church. The experience of spiritual manifestation is elevated above a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Signs and wonders, angel dust, (plastic) gemstones (bought at local craft stores), angel feathers, oil, physical sensations and the like are elevated above the very Savior these so-called signs and wonders are supposed to be a testimony of.

You listen to some of the false prophets and they seem completely focused on the manifestation and the physical attributes associated with them. They rarely, if ever, mention the name of Jesus. There is no testimony of Jesus and His saving grace. The message of these false prophets is totally focused on the prophet rather than the God that the prophet is supposed to be prophesying about. It is a false prophetic realm of “me, myself and my”.
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I  am writing in response to what I view as a disturbing trend in some camps of the Christian faith. I want us to focus particularly on the understanding of the how the Holy Spirit moves and operates in the life of a believer today. Specifically, let’s examine the emphasis that is being given to certain types of physical manifestations that are being described as coming from the Holy Spirit in association with giving a prophetic word.

I am hearing some in the prophetic circles talking about how they are being “possessed” by the Holy Spirit. This “possession” is being described as something beyond and something greater than being Holy Spirit baptized. It is being described as something different than what is scripturally known and accepted as the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit. It is being described as some sort of uncontrolled frenzy or ecstatic type catharsis or, in the case of a few of these so-called prophets, as an almost “orgasmic type experience” with the Holy Spirit. It could even be said that the description some are giving is like a comparison or analogy of being possessed by a demonic spirit. In other words, the experiences are being described as uncontrollable type experiences from the Holy Spirit but are implicitly being analogized to the similar uncontrollable type manifestations that one can see in a demon-possessed person.

The above described theology and approach used in communicating spiritual things is not new. The feature that some find attractive in this way of communicating is that it creates an air of mysticism about the person using this form of communication and, it opens doors for further and more grandiose things later on. It is self-aggrandizing in the sense that it makes the story-teller out to be an exclusive person who is having exclusive experiences with the Holy Spirit that, none of the rest of us can have. And, that is where I draw the line.

It seems that a lot of what we are hearing about so-called prophetic encounters could be more accurately described as “self-focused fantasy” rather than true and genuine encounters with God. In other words, they are saying “my encounter with God was/is all about me”. In contrast to what we have been talking about, let’s now look at a true and genuine encounter with God as seen in the Bible.

Isaiah is believed to have been a statesman of his day as well as a prophet of God. He was a man who was in right standing with God and honored by the people of his time. Yet, we see when Isaiah has an encounter with God in the throne room in Heaven, that Isaiah reacts in a very humble fashion. According to Isaiah chapter 6 we see that Isaiah didn’t simply waltz into the throne room of God thinking that he was “all that”. In fact, what do we see? We see Isaiah marveling at the presence of the seraphim flying around the throne room. Isaiah is awestruck by the appearance of this particular type of angel. Then, one of the seraphim began crying out praises unto God and the whole place started shaking. What do we see Isaiah do at this point? He falls on his face in fear as he cries out “woe is me for I am ruined. Because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips”. Isaiah feared to be in the presence of a Holy God.

It is quite noteworthy to point out here that Isaiah was not casual or non-chalant when confronted with the angels in the throne room of God. Isaiah’s reaction to seeing these angels is quite different than the descriptions we are hearing today of certain individuals as they describe how casually and carefree they are in their interaction with the angels of their so-called encounters. It is the casualness with which our modern day prophets tell their stories of their many encounters with angels, that convinces me that most of their stories aren’t true.

But the point I want to focus on right now is the statement made by Isaiah upon seeing and hearing the seraphim praising God. Isaiah is saying in his words “I am a man…”. Isaiah did not say “I am Isaiah”. Isaiah did not become self-focused in his reaction to, and interpretation of, the events going on around him. Isaiah realized that he was simply a human being in the presence of the Holy God of Heaven. Isaiah realized that it was his human qualities that made him inadequate to stand before God. Isaiah was acutely aware of his sinfulness as a man and that he was in a situation that was way out of his control.

Note that Isaiah did not become self-focused on his own life but rather became focused on God. Note that Isaiah did not portray or describe his life as some type of “special case” with “special problems” in God’s eyes. Rather, Isaiah identifies with the human race. Isaiah identifies with all men.

Isaiah was a major prophet. Yet, in the presence of God, we see Isaiah simply identifying himself as a man. Isaiah doesn’t claim any special privilege or any special case with God. Isaiah feared God. Isaiah was a major prophet. Isaiah almost gives the impression of a man who found himself in the presence of a Holy God and afterwards expresses that he was happy that he lived to tell about it. Isaiah’s reaction and description is very much unlike what we hear from some of our prophets today.
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“Silver bells, silver bells, soon it will be Christmas Day”. The memories of Christmas, they are many. It was always such a special time, a wonderful time. And, the food, so much food. Maybe more than the gifts, I think back upon the atmosphere. The atmosphere was unmatched by anything or any other occasion.

Christmastime is very traditional for the Christian. It is one of the two greatest observances of the Christian faith. Just like other faiths have their sacred holidays, Christians have Christmas. Just like other faiths celebrate privately and openly their holidays, so too Christians celebrate privately and openly their sacred days.

But, we see that the old traditions and observances of Christmas have been slowly slipping away – probably never to return. The world has changed over the last several years in a way that has been so dramatic and so comprehensive that the scope of the change is difficult for the average person to fathom. It seems that the world still wants Christians to celebrate Christmas but, just leave out the “Christ part”. Don’t think or contemplate what Christmas is really about, just spend your money, buy our products but don’t mention Jesus or say anything religious. In other words “just celebrate Christmas without Christ”. A Christless Christmas.

It’s funny, I grew up my entire childhood hearing people exchange Christmas greetings in the stores and restaurants and anywhere else people would meet. Then, it seems that in a moment’s time, we were all told that this is somehow wrong, somehow offensive. We are asked to consider that Christians celebrating Christmas is offensive. Not since the beginning of the nation has a generation had to deal with such a thought. Come to think of it, maybe not since Christmastime observances began centuries ago, has a generation been asked to deny the very Christ they are supposed to be celebrating.

It is a double-standard on the part of those who ask Christians not to express their belief in Jesus during Christmastime, but, yet those of other religions are able to freely express their beliefs without criticism. It is a double-standard to ask department store employees not to say “Merry Christmas” as this may offend someone, but, you can say the names of the holidays of other religions.

It is a double-standard to ask Christians to come and spend their money in the department stores and buy gifts to give as a way of celebrating Christmas but, at the same time, request that these same Christians not even mention the Savior that Christmastime is set aside to celebrate. It is a double-standard and could even be viewed as a “societal schizophrenia”. That is, to be asked to celebrate something but, at the same time, deny the very thing you are supposed to be celebrating. All of this has worn very thin on our society and it has reached the breaking point.

I remember the smell of oranges, tangerines, pumpkin pie, turkey, cookies, cakes, coffee, candy, and pine trees. But, now, we even have some within the Christian ranks who are telling us that all of this is “offensive” therefore, we shouldn’t do any of it. And, unfortunately, even many Christians are abandoning the traditional concept of Christmas. We are being told that having a Christmas Tree is offensive, sending Christmas Cards is offensive, saying Merry Christmas is offensive, displaying a cross (even in church) is offensive, any expression of Christmas is offensive – even expressing a belief in Jesus. Ultimately, we are being told by the world that Jesus himself has become offensive. And, thus, scripture is being fulfilled.

So, what are we going to do with Christmas? Perhaps, we could call it “Commerce Day” or “Xmas Day” or “Gift Day”. The reality is this; something has been lost concerning Christmas. Everyone knows it. It just isn’t the same anymore. Not just because some of us are growing older but, rather, the very substance of Christmas itself has changed. A way of life is slowly slipping away.

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