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Am I really hearing God’s voice? Or is it just me thinking this?

Check Prophetic InsightThere were 9 in the front room of our holiday unit. And that was just the start. We found many more models and framed pictures of lighthouses in other rooms of the small home.

My inevitable thought was, ‘are all these lighthouses prophetic? Father, are you saying something through this?’

And then I went through that internal ‘eye-rolling’ routine. ‘Of course. I’m prophetic; I’m always seeing symbols and patterns. This could be just me.’

The next morning, as my husband Malcolm and I were beginning breakfast he said to me, ‘Do you think the lighthouses are prophetic?’ I was in the process of answering when I glanced down and a word jumped out from the headlines of the local newspaper’s front page. It read, ‘Lighthouse.’

During our holiday, we had fun exploring the possibility that God was indeed speaking to us through the ‘lighthouse’ metaphor. What could it mean? Was Father talking to us about significant guidance—for ourselves, or from us to others?

While holding onto that thought lightly, we explored the 3 lighthouses in the area and discovered the reason for their existence.

The local harbor entrance, through which many ships come and go, has a treacherous stretch of water known as ‘The Rip’, and a long history of shipwrecks. The lighthouses—one of which is still staffed 24/7—are needed to guide many boats and ships safely into our city of Melbourne, Australia. [1]

7 Filters to Help Check a Prophetic Insight

Have you received a prophetic dream, thought, or impression you believe is for yourself? Or have you received a prophetic insight for someone else?

Here are some common filters to help you assess and weigh up a prophetic insight you believe is from God:

  1. Does this agree—is it compatible—with what the Bible says?
    The Bible is not only the chief source of revelation from God but is also the standard by which we weigh up every prophetic insight we receive. (Ps 119:89, 2 Tim 3:16)
  2. Do I have an inner witness from the Holy Spirit that this is from God? Have I prayed about it? (John 14:26, 1 John 2:27)
  3. Does it line up with the nature of God? In particular, with the nature of the Father as expressed through Jesus? (Heb 1:2)
  4. Am I willing to share this with my spiritual oversight—and would my leadership be comfortable with this?
    If it goes beyond simple encouragement, especially if it relates to guidance, have I submitted it to oversight? If operating in prophetic in church life—do any protocols or guidelines apply? (1 Thess 5:19-21, 1 Cor 14:29, Heb 13:17)
    **For significant personal guidance, see ‘Personal Guidance for the Important Decisions of Life’
    **For more specific checks relating to personal prophecy, see, ‘Is Personal Prophecy Biblical?’
  5. Does your insight (and the interpretation of what it means) fall into the category of encouragement, comfort and exhortation? (1 Cor 14:3)
  6. If the prophetic insight concerns your destiny, does it line up with the way God has created and wired you? (Eph 2:10)
  7. Will responding to this guidance bear good fruit? If it’s for someone else, will it bear good fruit, have a positive outcome—if it goes beyond simple encouragement, have I thought through the possible outcomes? (1 Cor 14:3, John 15:16-17)

Your Prophetic Insights: Being Careful, Being Relaxed

Remember that over time, you will become more accustomed to hearing God’s voice.

You don’t have to publicly tag everything that you sense is from God with a ‘God says…’ If the matter is personal, give it time, process it in a journal or similar and when you see the fruit, give God the glory and share about it.

I’ve learned to be relaxed and to share personal revelation sparingly and sensitively.

If your insight is something to share with another person, be honest if you are not sure. Humility does not diminish God’s power.

We’ve taken our ‘lighthouse’ encounter with God through each one of the above filters. And we haven’t come to any conclusions. We are looking forward to the full meaning of what our Father is saying unfolding during the course of this year and beyond.

Prophetic revelation is not always about an event, sometimes it is about a journey of discovery, an adventure with God.

‘This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.’ (Rom 8: 15 MSG)

Notes:
[1] For those interested, we were holidaying on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, Australia and the 3 lighthouses mentioned are at Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.

Related Posts:
Is God Speaking to You Through the Environment?

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

Enliven Ministries: Prophetic Ministry for a Revival Generation

19 thoughts on “How to Check Your Prophetic Insight is From God”

  1. The Hunk

    Helen, that was amazing and I know God is speaking to us about the Lighthouses. I love the article and, I love doing life with you!!!

    2. Janet

      Thank you for your quick response. I am looking forward in anticipation to unlock the door to Gods heart through His prophetic gift to me.
      Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. That verse came to mind when reading your lighthouse story. You have probably received many interpretation including your own
      I feel God is using your ministry to draw us closer to His word that guides us to Him.
      God bless you.
      Janet

  2. Crystal

    Helen,
    When I first read your comments about the lighthouses, I felt a quickening in my spirit. I have a vision I had in August of 2014 to share with you – I hope this is the appropriate/right place to do so.
    ————
    Here is what I have in my journal:
    Image:
    A lighthouse at night – completely surrounded by the darkness. As the light is shining into the darkness, I see shadows of people being drawn toward the light. Pouring into the lighthouse is a strong, straight beam of light from above.

    I wrote the following:
    Have you ever seen a lighthouse? Its sole job is to ensure that passing ships don’t run into unsafe waters – to effectively guide them through the darkness.

    We need to be lighthouses to the world. Our light should shine so brightly that we call and attract people to us. At first they will just be drawn to our light, but as they get closer (in understanding and proximity to us), they will begin to wonder of the light’s source. We can tell them that the source of our light, our portion, our hope is in God alone. In that way, we will draw people into the Kingdom.

    However, some of the lighthouse windows are dirty and blocking the light from shining through. As we sin and don’t repent (intentionally or unintentionally), the dirt continues to thicken on the windows, making the light that shines through dimmer and dimmer. We need to ask the Holy Spirit for discernment and for correction. As He reveals, and we turn and repent, the windows of our lighthouses will be cleansed and the light will again shine brightly for all to see.
    ———–
    I believe there is a strong desire in the body of Christ for Kingdom increase, more so than ever before. Not only that the field is ripe; people are looking for something sturdy to grasp onto in a world filled with uncertainty. However, what is slowing this increase is us. But there is hope. We can seek revelation on how we must decrease for Him to increase.

    I thank you for your posts. They have been a constant encouragement to me.

    Blessings.

    1. Helen Calder

      I love it, Crystal! Your interpretation is so very meaningful and is a great illustration too. Thank you for sharing that – it’s very welcome. 🙂

  3. Athena

    Very helpful post. I’ve been seeing, hearing and feeling many things and it’s not always easy to discern whether, this is just me, God, or the enemy. I’m learning to just ponder it in my heart and trust that God will give me understanding when it’s time. But it helps to have some standard to hold it too.

  4. Samantha

    Helen,

    Thanks again for your teaching!

    I also appreciated Crystal’s comment on the vision of the lighthouses which was very confirming.

    I also have a theme of lighthouses to share. On 9/6/2014 I had a dream of a lighthouse and the statue of liberty. I struggled to find the Lord’s interpretation with this dream it was very heavy to me. I believe it is multi-part and so far I have only one-two layers of it. The meaning similar to what you both shared…in that where there is Christ the Light there is liberty and freedom from all bondage. We need only keep our eyes on Christ. In the dream there was fog all around…again Christ is our guide and sure hope to stay on course. But then the ending I wonder if it speaks to the enemies attacks on people that don’t know him yet….there is a quick and vicious attack like a lion, taking people out by any means the enemy can…and then there is a slow fade gradually like a snail, making people think they are nothing but destruction materials, not useful…all which are lies from the enemy. I believe we are to pray for the Light to overcome in the unbelievers hearts to show them His truth and for us as believers to shine all the brighter and live lives of complete integrity and freedom.

    Thanks for providing this place of growth!!

  5. David

    Hey Helen,
    I had to check a date on my wall calendar this morning and it only just hit me that every picture of every month is a lighthouse with a different scripture about God and his light. I felt the urge to buy this calendar in November 2014.I believe we as a prophetic people, the church positioned in Gods strategic place will help many avoid shipwrecking their lives, i don’t say this lightly Helen, blessings David.

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