Judging Prophetic Words

Everyone has a right to judge or discern the prophecy they receive from an individual.
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 says Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” The Living Bible says it this way: 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 TLB “Do not scoff at those who prophesy, but test everything that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is, then accept it.”
Some people use “thus says the Lord” as a threat to those on the receiving end not to judge this prophecy They are giving you, which is incorrect. Under the Old Testament, prophets that were sent by God prophetic words came to pass, if it didn’t then they were a false prophet. Under the new covenant, we prophesy in part, and we know in part, yet when we Judge a prophetic word the discerning of spirits is at work, we are discerning the spirit behind what is said and what is being said: 1 John 4:1 says “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” In Acts 16, Paul met the girl with the spirit of divination! What she was saying wasn’t wrong, but her spirit was of the devil. Paul through the discerning of spirits tried the spirit behind the saying. It’s more important what spirit is behind a prophetic word than its accuracy. Accuracy is correct, but try the spirit and test the prophetic.
1 Corinthians gives us rules in prophecy in chapter 14:29-32 saying “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge (discern). If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” When that prophetic word is tried and proven that it’s from the Lord then it can be an Arsenal weapon against any dart of doubt the enemy can throw against you!

-Anthony D. Booker