The Necessity of Faith
We need to recognize that every aspect of God’s work requires us to walk in faith.
Prophesying, like any ministry, is a step of faith that usually requires us to get past our feelings and our fears.
Since prophetic ministry is telling people things we do not know by our own knowledge, it is like walking on water every time we dot it. If we are insecure in the Lord’s willingness to cover us, we will struggle as we give prophetic words.
Faith and humility are two primary requirements for prophetic ministry.
Cheating is prophesying things you already know in the natural, which is characteristic of a false prophet.
However, mistakes are not optional. Although no one enjoys the process, the way most of us learn in through trial and error.
It is like walking on water? Another strange analogy, and one that seems to be rather questionable, too.
Remember that when Peter walked on water, he did so at Jesus' invitation. One may rightly point out that Peter did ask first, but then, there are some instances in the Gospel when Peter asked to do something that Jesus refused; for example, at Jesus' transfiguration, Peter asked to be allowed to build tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, and his perhaps rash request was refused. The point is, though, that Peter walking on water is not an account designed for us to focus on Peter's great, if rather brief, faith, but rather on the Christ who was already walking on the waters, who came to the disciples as they were sailing in the storm, and who calmed the waters as He rescued Peter and both of them entered the boat.
If Peter had been presumptuous in this instance, if he for example had tried to walk on the water without Jesus' permission, I have my doubts that he would have done little more than make a small splash.
Faith is one thing, but presumption is something else entirely. And I would contend that what Sollars is encouraging here is presumption.
For example, "If we are insecure in the Lord’s willingness to cover us, we will struggle as we give prophetic words". Now, if all of these supposed "prophetic words" are based solely on vague feelings and experiences, or from straining with might and main to hear some kind of still quiet inner voice that Scripture says nothing about, and it isn't based on God giving us a clear and sure message to give to someone else, then upon what basis are we to assume or presume that God will "cover us" when we dare to say that God has told us to say something when God hasn't?
And this is where her statment "Mistakes are not optional" is so misleading. If you're making mistakes, telling people that God is saying things to them that He isn't telling you to say to them, then God is not blase about that. And you're not making a mistake, you are absolutely sinning. In fact, if there is any kind of scale upon which sins could be measured from bad to worst, then presuming to say that God has spoken to you when He hasn't has to up there among the very worst of sins.
So what happens when we see something that is bad? Now we have to say something that is strengthening, encouraging and comforting.
1 Corinthians 14:32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; NAS
And here we have spin-control. Not only are we to not know for sure that what we think we've received from God is really from God, it may simply be our own imaginations or whatever, but if it's something we consider a bit too harsh, well, we have to figure out a shiny happy way of phrasing it. Apparently, rebuke is not "strengthening, encouraging, and comforting".
Judging Prophecy
The word must be congruent with the scriptures as well as the hearer of the Father God.
It must bear witness with the spirit of the one who receives it.
The fruit of the prophetic word must be that the person receiving it is brought closer to God and His people.
The prophets and leadership should be in an agreement with the word and its interpretation and application.
The interpretation of any prophetic revelation belongs to God, not to man. Therefore, we also need the Holy Spirit’s anointing to know the meaning of the word as well as what to do with it.
A prophetic word must agree with Scripture? Ok, I'm fine with that, though considering how Sollars has butchered Scripture in her message, well, I have to ask upon what basis she is to be considered one who can determine whether anything she receives really agrees with Scripture or not.
"It must bear witness with the spirit of the one who receives it." Translated: Oh, I have to agree with it. Well, that's a new one. Heaven (or maybe hell) forbid that God, or our inner feelings or whatever, should tells us something we don't like or agree with.
I like that next one, it's hilarious. "The fruit of the prophetic word must be that the person receiving it is brought closer to God and His people." Where does Scripture tell us that that is only fruit of a prophetic word? It may be the most ideal and best, but the only? Based on that, almost all of the prophets in the Old Testament would be disqualified, because very often their message was rejected. Based on that, even Jesus would have been rejected.
"The prophets and leadership should be in an agreement with the word and its interpretation and application." Prophecy by democracy? Everyone has to vote on what was said or not?
Traditionally, the church had a single dimensional way in which we judge prophecy. But God is calling us into a deeper relationship with Him. This will lead us into new ways of judging prophetic ministry.
"New ways of judging prophetic ministry". Well, there's some rear-covering for you. Apparently, in these "new ways...", well, it's ok to listen to things Scripture says nothing about, and it's ok to get it wrong. But that doesn't mean you common people can go around just poo-pooing what we maybe-not-quite-right prophetic types are saying. Sure, we may not be any more accurate than your local palm-reader or the carnival crystal-ball gazer, but you'd better take us seriously.
"We need to realize that God seldom does things all by Himself. He often requires us to be involved with Him to see our destinies fulfilled." Oh, yeah, poor helpless God. It's not we are so pathetically weak and helpless, it's God who's just waiting and hoping on us to finally let Him do something. It's not we who are need of salvation, but God who needs us to save Him from his helplessness.
Ok, so, how helpless is God?
Isaiah
is.63.1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.† is.63.2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? is.63.3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. is.63.4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. is.63.5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. is.63.6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
Brown, David; Fausset, A. R.; Jamieson, Robert (2011-06-02). Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary on the Whole Bible (best navigation with Direct Verse Jump) (Kindle Locations 144962-144972). OSNOVA. Kindle Edition.
We have to understand this--God is NOT helpless, God does NOT need our permission. We are the ones who are to say that when we have done all He tells us to do, we need to realize that we are still unprofitable servants. We humans are fallen, dead in trespasses and sins, completely unrighteous, and it is God who came, it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us, it is by God's grace that we who have been given faith are saved, and that salvation is not from our own works but the gift of God.
God seldom does things all by Himself? Rather, it is we who could do nothing without God. He is not the helpless one, we are the ones who cannot help or save ourselves.
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