Speak with Authority

Keepin’ it Real!

Why is it that sometimes we feel the need to exaggerate or make something sound bigger, better, or more important than it really is? Have you ever found yourself bolstering something up to give it more impact or clout? Is it that we need for the person listening to our “story” or words to be impressed and think that we are something special? Could it be that we think we are not good enough so we need to build something up to validate us in the eyes of others? Well, I think we have all been aware when someone was doing this and have probably done it ourselves.

Use The Authority You’ve Been Given

How many times have we heard a person using an authority figure’s name to get a job done more quickly?  Or have you ever heard someone refer to what “the experts” say in order to deliver a message that they really don’t want to? As we know, sometimes it’s easier to do this than to stand in the authority we have been given by a leader. It takes more effort and confidence to communicate from our own perspective what we want to be done or how we would like something to be done. And then this can lead to a secondary problem—what if the other party ignores “our” directive. What then?

God Has Given Us His Authority

Did you know that God has provided us with all authority to proclaim His word and demonstrate His power here on earth? He gave you this inheritance all the way back in Genesis when He gave Adam all dominion and power over the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). Unfortunately, this dominion was forfeited by the first Adam, which we refer to as the fall of man. That is why, the Second Adam, Jesus, had to come and restore to us the true dominion of the kingdom of God. The dominion He died to give us back is over both heaven and earth.

Live a Life of Demonstration

If you did not realize this, then you’re missing out on what living an abundant, kingdom-lifestyle is all about. Do you realize we have been given the ability to live in heaven on earth right now? (Psalms 17:15 MSG) When we have grasped this truth, we don’t have to exaggerate or create something inflated. Shouldn’t we just live a life that reveals, demonstrates, and proves the perfect will of God? (Matthew 10:7-8).

Please No “Thus Says The Lord”

The same goes for when we deliver a prophetic word or declaration that God has given us to speak over someone’s life or over the Body of Christ. We don’t have to preface it with, “THUS SAYS THE LORD,” or “the Lord has told me to tell you this,” or even “God says about you x or y.”  I feel there are specific reasons why communicating a prophetic word this way is not the best things to say when communicating God’s heart to others.

We Only See & Hear in Part

Firstly, when we say, “Thus saith the Lord,” we are not acknowledging that we only see and hear in part when it comes to prophecy (1 Corinthians 13:9-10). This passage tells us there are areas where we cannot see the whole picture or have all the information as we prophesy. In this case, this is very difficult for the person to ask for feedback from you, or more importantly, from God!

Don’t Box Them In

Secondly, using these types of phrases can put people in a box because it makes them feel that there is no leeway for them to move, and your word becomes the only word for their situation. In other words, there is an implication that if they don’t receive this particular word, they are going to miss God’s will on the matter.

Prophecy Confirms God’s Word

Thirdly, a word spoken as if it is a definitive word from God means that they may not feel the liberty to go the Lord for further clarification on a situation or to continue to seek God for what they need. Our words should always allow an individual or a group to be able to have the freedom to seek God and see what He thinks or says about the word given to them. In a lot of cases, prophetic words confirm things that have been previously given or shown to that person. These confirming words should always point them back to Jesus, by giving them the opportunity to engage with Him on a personal level.

When your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from above lines up with God’s heart, character, and nature, then you are able to deliver prophetic words and declarations that carry His authority. So, we can now say things like the following:

• I sense the Lord is saying x or y to me; can I share this with you?
• I feel God has given me this word for you; can I tell you what it is?
• I think the Lord has downloaded this picture, or Scripture for you, may I share this?

Ask For Permission 

When the prophetic gifting is flowing, asking for permission is key to sharing God’s heart with someone. Once they have agreed to listen, then the authority comes naturally as all things are done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Point Them in The Right Direction

Finally, after you have delivered a word, it is often good to say something like, “If it does not mean anything right now to you, then please put it to one side for the moment and just ask God about it later.”  Once again this allows them to process what has been said, but it also points them back to God to seek Him for a clearer understanding of what has been shared.

AND REMEMBER WHILE YOU ARE GROWING IN THESE AREAS, ALWAYS ASK THE PERSON RECEIVING THE WORD FOR FEEDBACK!