Are We Prophets?

Biblical prophets speak out. They speak out boldly. And, nine times out of ten, they don’t live very long. Maybe that is why we shy away from being a prophet now a days. Looking at the lives of those who have stood up for truth throughout history can kind of make you pause before standing on the mountain top and warning others. 

I totally get it. I know that I am silent more often than not. I see someone following a path that can’t lead to good or I am in a conversation with someone and I feel that nudge to speak about a topic that won’t be comfortable. Maybe I see something on the TV or hear it on the radio and it pierces my soul, because I know that it is a lie. A lie that sounds good, looks good, but is so very harmful to our society. Even doing this blog post, right now, I have a fear inside that someone will read it and disagree or view me as close minded or whatever. I sense that someone will shut me down before they truly let me speak, tuning me out because I don’t agree with them. 

I’ll bet we all feel that way. So, instead of doing the hard thing, we just let it go. We don’t want to offend. We don’t want to be seen as unsympathetic or cold. We buy the lie that it’s not hurting anyone. And no one likes to be the lone voice or the one to stir up trouble. That feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know someone is mad at you, it can eat you up. Being quiet and just stuffing that urge to speak out feels easier. At least that way, no one else knows what your thinking. You can just pretend it’s all okay. 

But, God calls us to a different approach. I mean, the story of Jonah should teach us that. He ran, tried to be quiet, and look where it got him. Real love calls for courage. Do we love our family, friends, and even our society, enough to be brave? We have to know that Truth is the loving option. And to speak truth into a situation,

 even though you know that it will cause you some “difficulty” is the unselfish act. It is putting someone else above yourself. Don’t be silent. This isn’t about you. It’s about the other who needs to hear the truth.

One last point. Truth can hurt. Wield it carefully. It should not be a weapon that destroys, but a fine scalpel that delicately cuts out the cancer. We are called to speak, but with love and humility. I know that we can get emotional and angry, but put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Would you be more open to change and receptive to God’s word with negative language or with a loving and understanding message? I think we all know which has a better chance of winning us over. 

I know it gets frustrating, but God calls us to patience and love. I don’t believe that people hold beliefs contrary to God’s law because they know it’s wrong and just don’t care. They truly believe they are right. They have compassion and their own life experiences from which to draw their conclusions. Let’s have real discussions, not arguments that don’t lead anywhere. 

If you are being called to be a “prophet” right now in some situation, prayerfully consider what God wants you to say, how he wants you to say it, and ask him to speak through you. Pray for there to be fertile ground for the seeds to fall. And after you speak, be quiet. Let God do the heavy lifting. His Spirit will harvest what you’ve planted. Don’t feel like you have to be the one to make them change. That is pride. Just speak boldly, yet lovingly, prayerfully and patiently. No matter what comes at you, stand firm. And offer it all to Him for His glory. 

XOXO,

Barb