6 Tips for Testing a Prophetic Word

Julian Adams • February 21, 2020
Have you received a prophetic word and then wondered if it was truly from God? Julian encourages us to test prophetic words and provides six tips to help us navigate the filtering process.  

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  • Transcript

    - Hi, my name's Julian Adams. You know, one of the most asked questions that I get is, "How do I know if the prophetic word I've received from a prophet is actually true?" Well, I wanna just give you six tips to discovering whether a prophetic word is true. My first tip is quite simple. The prophetic is always meant to be discovered and discerned in community. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians, chapter two, that we have the mind of Christ. In other words, it is a community dynamic. You need people to speak into the prophetic word. You need those around you to help shape that prophetic word, and you need those around you to help weigh the prophetic word in the context of community. I love what Kris Vallotton says. He says that, "When you find your tribe, you find your destiny." Most often your prophetic word and what God's called you to do is connected to your community. It's so important that you're not isolated when you're trying to discern whether a prophetic word is from God or not. My second tip is, is it biblical? Does the prophetic word that you've received resonate with scripture, resonate with the sense of God speaking throughout the Bible from the beginning to the end? Are there things in that word that seem contrary to the scriptures and what Jesus is doing in the scriptures and how he lives? The Bible is the ultimate form of prophecy, and everything has to weigh up and line up under its authority and under its revelation. My third tip is what do wise leaders say about the prophetic word you've received? Whether it's corporate or whether it's private, what are some leaders doing about that prophetic? How are they weighing that up? How are they talking about it? Invite good, wise people, spiritual fathers and mothers to speak into the prophetic word that you've received, so that you can weigh up against the witness of their spirit. Very often there's wisdom that is found in the counsel of many. My fourth tip is has it been confirmed? When I receive prophetic words, what I wanna do, particularly if it's directional, is I wanna wait. I wanna take a moment. I wanna chew on it. I wanna pray through it. I wanna weigh it up. I wanna wrestle with it until it's confirmed before I take any actions on it. Only once it's confirmed do I step out on those prophetic words. My fifth point is does it lead me to freedom or a sense of control? The prophetic is not fatalistic. It's not meant to keep you in a place of control where you feel afraid. I remember talking to one of my friends who is in ministry, and they said, "I feel hostage by the prophetic words that have been spoken over me." No! That is bad prophecy! Prophecy doesn't lead you to feeling under control. Prophecy leads you to freedom. The prophetic dynamic is an invitation for you to partner with God. So when a prophet prophesies over you, if there's controlling language in it, it's probably not from God. My sixth and final point is does it bring a sense of faith? Does it spark something in you that goes. "Yay, this is God!" "I can do this!" "I wanna do this!" In fact, sometimes you might even be, "I can't do this, but I'm excited to go for it," because it's impossible, and God calls us to live a life of the impossible. Prophecy is meant to spark faith. It's meant to spark a sense of, wow, God's on this. Something significant can happen through this. I want to encourage you, when you use these six tips as a filter for figuring out whether or not the prophet is speaking truth, or whether the prophetic word you have heard is truly from God, it will be like a litmus test. It will be like a plumb line that will help you live out the prophetic and the word that God has spoken over you. If you've got any questions on the prophetic or the content that we're producing, why don't you let us know in the comments below, or message us on one of our social media platforms? [Upbeat Music]

Prophetic Perspectives for 2025

March 3, 2025
In this live session, Sean Smith and Julian Adams share their prophetic perspectives on 2025, offering honest reflections on what they sense God is doing across the earth. With hope and expectancy, they discuss the spiritual landscape ahead and how we can prepare for what’s to come.

Your Story Matters: Here's Why

By Julian Adams • January 3, 2025
We are living in a world of dramatic change. The relentless pace of development often leaves us breathless and exhausted. The demand for innovative ways of communicating, inventing, and staying ahead of cultural trends can feel daunting and demoralizing. It can push us into a space where we find ourselves trying to copy rather than be authentic, to imitate rather than create. This pressure can lead us to believe that we need to be more creative, and that our individual stories do not matter. But nothing could be further from the truth. Your story, no matter how small, matters and is powerful. One of the remarkable aspects of ancient manuscripts, like the Bible, is that they tell the stories of individuals whose lives may seem small and insignificant. Yet, God chose to make their lives a memorial of what He could do with a life that the world deems insignificant. The incredible power of the gospel is that it changes lives one at a time. God is as interested in the individual story as He is in redeeming the cosmos. The aim of the gospel is not just dealing with personal sin; it is about restoring individuals to a relationship with a kind Father. In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis beautifully said, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." Justification addresses our standing before God, but our adoption invites us into a relationship with the Father. It allows us to partake of who He is and to live in a place of deep joy from who He is. Romans 3:23 reminds us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Many of us forget that the work of salvation has turned this verse around. Through Jesus, we have been restored to the glory of God. One description of the word "glory" refers to the divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, and splendor. It is the revelation of God's intrinsic worth and beauty. Do you see that? We have been restored to His divine quality, splendor, and beauty. In a world where it can be easy to feel like just another face in the crowd, remember that your story is significant. Your experiences, your journey, and your voice matter. Embrace the unique narrative God has given you and let it shine. You are not just a spectator; you are a vital participant in God's grand story. Your authenticity, creativity, and individuality are valuable. As you navigate the rapid changes of our world, hold on to the truth that your story has power and purpose. God sees you, knows you, and has a plan for your life that is uniquely yours. Let us celebrate the beauty and significance of each individual story, knowing that together, we contribute to a tapestry of divine splendor and glory.

Pursuing Wholeness: My Journey from Rejection to Healing

By Julian Adams • July 17, 2024
Rejection is a powerful force that can shape the trajectory of our lives, often in ways we don't fully realize until much later. For me, this journey began in childhood. I was born with a cleft palate, which affected my ability to speak, and coupled with my passionate devotion to Jesus, I faced daily ridicule and rejection throughout my school years. My speech and my fervent faith made me a target, and I found myself isolated and misunderstood. Despite the rejection, something beautiful began to grow within me: a deep and abiding friendship with Jesus. Through profound encounters with the Lord, I began to walk in the prophetic. This newfound gift led me to public ministry, where I started releasing prophetic words. However, beneath the surface, I was carrying an immense amount of pain that I hadn't dealt with. This pain manifested as a lifestyle of performance, driven by the need for acceptance and validation. Though I was a new creation in Christ, I was living as if I were still bound by my old wounds. In Matthew 23:27-28 (MSG), Jesus describes the Pharisees as "manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin, you're total frauds." These words struck a chord with me because I realized I was living like a professional Pharisee. Outwardly, I appeared to have it all together, but inside, I was disconnected from the healing process that God wanted to take me through. This disconnect had a significant impact on my prophetic ministry. My words, especially those concerning sin, were often harsh and unkind, reflecting my damaged perspective of myself and the world. It wasn't until I began to address my heart issues that my approach to the prophetic truly changed. God started speaking to me about the connection between my gift, my performance, and my worth. Through this process, He took me back to moments of pain and difficulty from my childhood and even into my adult life. In one profound moment, God said to me, "Son, I want you to grow up and be a child." This statement might seem paradoxical, but it revealed a crucial truth: the posture of the kingdom is one of childlike fascination and trust. My journey into sonship transformed how I viewed the prophetic and how I ministered to others. No longer driven by judgment and legalism, I began to approach people with love, kindness, and the heart of the Father. Understanding my identity as a beloved child of God allowed me to see others through His eyes. This shift not only brought healing to my heart but also enabled me to minister more effectively and compassionately. Rejection and pain had shaped my early years, but God's love and healing power brought me to a place of wholeness. This journey has taught me that dealing with our heart issues is essential for authentic and impactful ministry. As we pursue wholeness, we open ourselves to deeper intimacy with God and greater effectiveness in serving His people. If you find yourself struggling with similar issues of rejection, pain, or performance, I encourage you to invite God into those wounded places. Allow Him to heal and transform you, just as He did for me. Embrace the posture of childlike wonder and trust, knowing that you are deeply loved and valued by your Heavenly Father. In this place of wholeness, you will find the freedom to live and minister authentically, reflecting the heart of God to a world in need.
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