With so many false prophets among us, what does a TRUE prophet look like? This Bible study guides the believer through the characteristics exhibited by one truly called as a mouthpiece for God.

1. School of the Prophets

2. Hebrew nabi
 “to bubble forth, as from
a fountain; to utter”
 proclaims a message
received from God
Hebrew ro’eh, hozeh
 “a seer”
 shares and interprets
divine visions and insight
Literally, one who speaks for another,
especially, one who speaks for God and
interprets His will to man; One who
prophesies, or foretells events; a
predictor; a foreteller; One inspired or
instructed by God to speak in His name;
One who utters a communication in
speaking the heart and mind of God; A
person who speaks by divine inspiration
or as the interpreter through whom the
will of a God is expressed; A
"watchman" or "seer"; One who
proclaims the divine will and counsel of
God; A "mouthpiece" and "spokesman"
for God; One able to hear the voice of
God and bring His words to the world.

3. Character
 the inherent complex of attributes that
determines a person’s moral and ethical actions
and reactions
Personality
 the complex of all the attributes--behavioral,
temperamental, emotional and mental--that
characterize a unique individual

4. Regardless of personality, a witch is still a witch!
Good Personality
Bad Personality

5. Personality is perceived; Character is
discerned
Character and personality are independent of
one another
Character influences personality
God changes our character, and uses us
DESPITE our personalities

6. How would you
describe your own
PERSONALITY?
▪ Shy, quiet, introverted
▪ Animated
▪ Organized and careful
▪ Adventurous
▪ Talkative
What are your
CHARACTER traits?
▪ Honest
▪ Trustworthy
▪ Nurturing
▪ Abusive
▪ Deceiving
▪ Loyal
THOUGHTS TO PONDER: Does your personality correctly represent your
character? Why or why not? The way others perceive you is judged by
harmony, or the lack thereof, between the two.

7. How do others “perceive” you?

8. Impression is another person’s
perception of your character,
based on what you SHOW
them
 Personality
 Appearance
 Actions/Reactions
 Communication
 Moods

9. Should a prophet care about image and
impression?
Should a prophet consider what others think
about him or her?
Consider this…
▪ A first impression is formed within the initial 3-5 seconds
▪ The first impression is always the strongest
▪ 60% of language is non-verbal; First impressions are largely
influenced by visual information (appearance, actions,
attitude, etc.)

10. WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?
YOU are the face of your
company
YOU are the voice of your
company
YOU are the voice of God
For many, YOU are the
face of God
Prophet, what impression are you making?

11. “In the long run no man can have high visions and lead a low life.”
--TC Gordon

12. All supernatural gifts are spiritually fed
The fundamental differences between a
prophet and a diviner (witch) are the spiritual
source and authority
A true prophet speaks ONLY as directed by the
SPIRIT OF GOD – You must be sent!
▪ Samuel (1 Samuel 10:6)
▪ God’s Spirit rests in His prophets (Nehemiah 9:30)
▪ Those not sent are condemned (Jeremiah 29:8-10)

13. A prophet is God’s “instrument” in the earth
An instrument only delivers what its master
performs
The fruit of disobedience is death
 The Young Prophet (1 Kings 13)
 Korah’s rise against Moses (Numbers 16)
REMEMBER: Delivery is just as important as
the message!

14. Can a prophet make a
mistake?
When a prophecy does
not come to pass, is
this a sign that the
prophet is false?
If a prophet speaks
outside of the leading
of God’s Spirit, will it
still come to pass?

15. RELATIONSHIP is key!
Worship and repentance frame the lifestyle of
a true prophet
“Covered” by God
 Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:19-21)

16. A prophet must operate in divine TIMING
The gift of “wait”
Words have seasons
 Daniel 12:9
 Isaiah 50:4, Luke 1:20
Remember Ezekiel
 “Timed” assignment

17. Can GOD trust you?
A prophet must ALWAYS stand for what is
right and righteous
Jeremiah is the picture of integrity
 Jeremiah 28
▪ Lack of intimidation
▪ Lack of “peer pressure”
▪ Disregard for personal gain
▪ Fear of God

18. Vanity is the greatest threat to prophetic
ministry
Power and authority are two different things!
Prophets, always remember your source!
 Psalm 75:6-7
 Proverbs 27:1-2
A true prophet is NEVER self-appointed or
self-acclaimed
 Elymas (Acts 13)

19. Why are prophets
consistently tempted
with pride?
In what ways is pride
demonstrated through
prophets who allow it
to enter their spirits?

20. A prophet is called BY GOD, TO THE PEOPLE
A prophet is a SERVANT of God
A prophet must have the heart of God, which
is a heart for His people
 Jeremiah
 God loves the people of the word (John 3:16)
A true prophet has a heart for evangelism,
often demonstrated inside the local church

21. Opposition follows the sent prophet
of God
 John 4:44
 Jeremiah 12:5-6
 Ezekiel
 Hosea
Called to the rebellious
A true prophet knows how to FIGHT
unto obedience

22. Prophets know, understand and respect
ORDER and PROTOCOL
Prophets are adaptable and malleable,
though never compromising the message
 1 Corinthians 9:19-21
 Adjustment for a purpose
The prophetic is PROACTIVE, not REACTIVE

23. Express only the heart, mind and will of God
Personal feelings and opinions must never
taint the word of the LORD
 Micah 3:5-6
 Ezekiel 13:1-3
No respect of persons
 1 Samuel 3:11-18

24. “Expect misunderstanding. Expect persecution.
Expect ridicule. Expect mistreatment. Expect
suffering. Expect rejection. Then, you won’t be
surprised when it comes.”
▪ Chip Brogden - Letter to a Reluctant Prophet
Fear of man is not acceptable
 Matthew 10:28
God protects the prophet
 Psalm 105:12-15

25. A prophet is more often misunderstood than
not
“A prophet always stands in danger of being
thought insane. He does not see what other
men see. He has the strangest kind of intuitive
grasp of things. It seems as if fresh from
heaven he is astounded by the carnality of
men. He gasps and cannot stand, wondering
that no one cries out.”
▪ Art Katz - The Heart of a Prophet

26. A prophet must be continuously PROVEN
The prophetic ministry is constantly tried and
tested
A prophet is not offended by questions of
clarification
Signs and wonders follow the ministry of the
prophet
“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the
kitchen… and don’t try to be a prophet!”

27. Character is demonstrated through ownership and responsibility

28. Prayer
Suffering
Receiving from God
Worship
Encouragement
Foretelling
Direction and Guidance
Proclaiming
Correction and rebuke
Warning
Watching
Challenging the Nation
Initiating God’s Plans
Healing
Appointing and
Anointing
Advising Rulers
Interpretation
 Dreams, visions
 Signs of the times

29. Individuals The Church The Nations

30. A prophet does not
turn on and off –
that’s the nature of a
witch
A prophet is 100%
dependent on God
and has no
confidence in the
flesh

31. Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37:1-14

33. ©2012, Joy of the LORD Ministries
Prophet Joy Allen, Instructor