01/06/2026
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗱’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁: 𝘗𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘕𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘺 𝘈𝘨𝘦
The church is tired of being played. We’ve watched men in suits sell miracles, trade in fear to keep the unsuspecting Christian in false loyalty, and turn the gift of prophecy into a marketplace. So when someone says, “If the prophets were real, this country would look different,” it feels honest but lands hard in those who are genuine. It feels like someone finally calling them out.
But there’s a problem with that statement: it throws the baby out with the bathwater.
1. Broad brush strokes discredit the faithful
The Bible never throws away the gift of prophecy with its abuse. In fact, it does the opposite. Paul tells us to “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy”, and then in the same letter gives instructions for testing, weighing, and judging what is spoken.
When we say “those who call themselves prophets” without distinction, we silence the quiet, faithful ones. A Christian who weeping and praying to God for a breakthrough or a word that saves their marriage. The elder who speaks correction with tears away from cameras they get swept up and the body loses voices it desperately needs.
2. Dismissing the gift creates a mistrust in the Body of Christ
Prophecy is not a sideshow in the New Testament. It’s how God builds, encourages, and comforts His people. Many believers have been carried through loss, directed in decisions, and convicted of sin by words that came from God through credible vessels. When social media stuns says “if prophecy worked, SA would be fixed,” it tells those people their experience didn’t count. That doesn’t make them more discerning or help them feel they will ever hear God for themselves. It makes them shut down and wonder if it was true that God actually speaks,
A church that doesn’t trust God’s gifts becomes a church that only trusts programs and has no breath. Programs don’t raise the dead nor bring revival.
3. Rebuking without a road map leaves people stranded
Biblical prophets didn’t just call out; they called people back to God's path. Isaiah didn’t stop at “your hands are full of blood.” He followed with “wash yourselves, make yourselves clean”. Jesus didn’t just denounce the Pharisees; He taught His disciples how to spot them.
If we’re going to confront fake prophets, we need to do more than just exposing them. We need to equip the local church. That means: Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. The test is not charisma or crowd size. It’s alignment with Scripture, humility of life, and fruit coming from the spoken word over time.
Prophecy in the New Testament was never a solo act. Words were weighed in community long before there were any of these one man shows that we have seen in recent years. The church must recover the practice of elders and mature believers helping to judge what’s spoken instead of being known only for criticising the ministry of a prophet. That is exactly what the enemy wants. To create fear and rejection of what God deems a blessing for to His church.
Paul says “do not despise” prophecy. We should publicly affirm and make space for prophetic voices that are submitted and bear good fruit. Quiet faithfulness deserves a microphone too.
The way forward
Yes, we have a real problem with counterfeit prophets in South Africa. They exploit, they manipulate, and they’ve caused deep hurt. We must name it, reject it, and protect the flock.
But we must not confuse the counterfeit with the currency. Truth is God still speaks. The Holy Spirit still gives words of knowledge, encouragement, and warning. The answer to abuse is not abandonment of the gift. It’s maturity in how we use it.
So let the church pursue prophecy again. Not recklessly, not for hype, but biblically. With open hearts, sober minds, and Scripture in hand. Let’s test carefully, hold to what’s good, and honor those who live it out faithfully and quietly. Because a church that can tell the difference between noise and the voice of God is a church that cannot ignore.
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