Servanthood is about making a choice to serve at all costs and denying what self wants, feels, and has to say. It is a call to serve the Most High God so fully, completely that His attributes come forth as proof that is it truly Him we serve. So, this month I share an article, which captures who we truly serve by the messages we speak and write. This article opens the door to clearly determining what is of God, what is not of God, the motives coming behind what is spoken or written -- whether good or bad, and who is serving who. You could literally develop a checklist for future reference.

I pray the eyes of your understanding are opened as you read it, and that God takes you to the next level of discernment and servanthood in Him.

Before the article, here are two scriptures to mediate on and underpin what you have read and will read in a little bit.

Job 26:4 AMP
With whose assistance have you uttered these words? And whose spirit [inspired what] came forth from you?

Joshua 24:14-16 AMP
14 Now therefore, [reverently] fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth ; put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the [Euphrates] River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord .

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve , whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .

16 The people answered, Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods ;

Here's the article – titled: What's up With That Message . . . . a KOG or KOD?

Prophetic streams . . . yes, there is a flow. It's a prophetic stream. It comes from the same source (Godly or demonic).

Let's explore this:

•  The stream produces the intended result of the source/Source.

•  The stream has the nature and characteristics of the source/Source.

•  The stream may or may end of up in the same place (e.g. destination). It could change course at some point in the flow resembling a body of water in the natural.

If you have been in prophetic circles, you've heard the term “flow”. I want you to know flow doesn't mean everybody is saying the exact same thing in 14 different ways. The common denominator is the source/Source. God can say what He wants, to who He wants, when He wants. It's a deception to believe that because we are all a part of this ministry, group, etc., we are always going to receive the exact same unified message. It also does not mean because I'm a prophet/prophetess and you are a prophet/prophetess that God is telling us the same thing.

Remember, the key to prophetic utterances come out of our intimate relationship with God. Someone may be at a different point in their walk with God and in a different stage of life and ministry. So, what they hear may be different from what He's telling you. It doesn't mean they are the devil, against the vision, or against you. This deception is humanly inspired. By that I mean, we [not necessarily God] want everyone to speak the same overarching message/theme.

Now let's explore the sources. There are two sources that can give you a message. They are: 1) a Godly source and 2) a demonic source. The below chart will help you discern the purposes of each source.

I thank God for the insight He imparted via this chart. Thus far we have been delving into the sources and purposes of the message.

Now, I want to mine further for more gold and look at how this applies to delivering the word also. If you are bringing a true word to a demonic source, the same purposes could manifest. What do I mean? Let's say I bring you a word from God. It's a true word from a true vessel delivered from the Spirit of truth, but you turn and personally accuse me of not being Holy Spirit inspired, hurl slanderous remarks, spread rumors about me, attempt to damage my reputation, and play tormenting mind games. Now, re-read the above list of characteristics of a demonically inspired message, did you catch the similarities? That's eye-widening isn't it?!

If you have delivered prophetic messages before you could have easily replaced “the me's and I's” in that classic example with yourself, right? This is one of the reasons I wrote this article. This is not an uncommon practice, and this type of behavior is fear-induced. The mindset is, “I'm afraid of what you might hear from God”, “I'm afraid God might expose or reveal something I don't want revealed or exposed”, and if the truth be told, “I'm afraid of the real power of God.” This is one strategy the devil uses to make true prophets believe they are not hearing from God. Listen to him talking . . . “That's not what I hear God saying.” Remember, the devil is a liar! The people who say this could be totally oblivious [e.g. what I call a blind witch] or could have gone astray as a prophet in the way of Balaam. Sadly, they have sold out.

Let me ask you, “How much pride do you have in your prophetic track record when God uses someone to speak something you might not have heard or is different than the messages all around you?” A “Selah” moment . . . pauses . . . calmly and prayerfully considers that!

When everybody is saying the same thing ALL the time, we need to really check to see if it is truly God. It could be the DIM factor – domination, intimidation, and manipulation. Simply put witchcraft. Here is a prophetic announcement: witchcraft and control is not mentoring and training . . . although some think it is!

In team ministry, I have found the prophetic stream builds. For example, one person will prophesy either a personal or corporate to the Body and then another team member will prophesy. The prophetic words form a continuous stream of what God is saying to the individual or the Body. By the time the entire team has an opportunity to accurately share what God is saying, a theme may emerge. At the same time, the prophecies are distinctly unique and different. I have personally experienced this in small groups, our local church, and when my husband and I minister prophetically.

Many prophets wonder and ask why God tells other prophets things about their life that He doesn't tell them. They say things like, “Why would God tell you something about my husband, wife, ministry, job, etc.., but not tell me? Here is an answer. “You are not ready to hear what He wants to share. So, He tells someone who is and is not emotionally or spiritually attached to the results or the issue. The truth is, you are too proud to hear and receive what He wants to say. Could it also be He doesn't tell you because you won't respond appropriately? The person He tells will pray and handle what He says with great wisdom, but you will nag, worry, plot, and scheme.

Prayerfully, this article has armed you with the ability to discern a KOG [Kingdom of God] message from a KOD [kingdom of darkness] message. Just a gentle reminder, the message should contain all the characteristics of a KOG to be one. If one cog or link is missing, it's a cod.

Dig Deeper – If you want to go blepo [a Greek word meaning to see in secret where man sees nothing], look up the word cog in a regular dictionary and the word cod (i.e., fish) in a Bible dictionary. I know Holy Spirit will unfold a mighty, hidden switcheroo to you. Note: for this exercise, use a dated dictionary vs. a modern dictionary for the richness of the meanings.

I close this article with a prayer for those of us who deliver and receive prophetic messages from the Lord.

Prayer

Jehovah-Nissi the One who lifts our standard/flag in war and Jehovah-Tsidkenu and Jehovah-Tsaddiq our righteousness, I call on you and ask you to help your true prophets be able to stand and boldly proclaim your messages right in the midst of deception and demonically-inspired messages. I pray you anoint their words so that life, spirit, and fruit are clearly seen. I pray for a quick manifestation of what they speak. I call for purely chosen words from pure vessels that produce what you intend . . . immediately, straightway. I declare before they finish speaking and calling on you, the manifestation of power, signs, and wonders will appear. Thank you for shining your light on them and through them. In the matchless name of Jesus, I pray. Amen!

Article inspired by the following scriptures: Psalm 7:9, Jeremiah 23:6, Psalm 4:6, Matthew 7:22, 24:23-25

Power PS – Did you notice the words KOG and KOD almost sound the same? You really have to place emphasis on the “G” in order to differentiate. Just one more discernment tip; the message could almost sound the same. Watch and pray.

©2008 All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted and copied in full without special permission, provided it is used for non-profit purposes and full attribution, copyright notice, and About The Author information remain intact. Send a courtesy e-mail to kpina@godscoach.com and let us know where the article will appear. For all other purposes, please contact Gifts Ordained by Direction, PO Box 110022 , Trumbull , CT 06611 , www.godscoach.com .

BIO

Karen M. Pina is a leadership coach and the CEO of Gifts Ordained by Direction www.godscoach.com , a coaching practice that addresses everyday leadership issues. Pick up a copy of Karen's book “ Leadership FITness ” and get FIT physically, financially, and spiritually.

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