One of the rules we always teach people in our prophetic classes is, “Don’t talk past Holy Spirit!”

What do we mean by this? If Holy Spirit only gives you a picture but no interpretation, even after asking for it, share the picture. If Holy Spirit gives you a word, prophesy that word, but don’t embellish it or add to it.

This teaches people to stay within the bounds of what Holy Spirit gives us or teaches people to trust what they are prophesying even if it doesn’t make complete sense to the person prophesying. Indeed, it may be crystal clear to the person receiving the word.

But is it always that simple? Do we always know exactly what to say and where to stop?

Paul made it a point to specify when it was him speaking and when it was the Lord speaking as he gave instruction regarding marriage. (1 Corinthians 7)

Of Samuel it was said the that Lord “let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19)

Does that mean Samuel said whatever he wanted and the Lord made sure it came to pass? Does it mean that Samuel heard the Lord so clearly and perfectly that he always prophesied 100% in tune with God?

We don’t know but God did make sure that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord.

Maybe there is room for our words, not to capriciously add to what God is saying, but to operate in genuine partnership with God.

More often than not I am finding that I have thoughts related to a prophetic word that I am giving that turn out later to be from the Lord.

For example, even though we do not encourage people to do this, I felt strongly compelled one time to share verses about children to a couple who had trouble having a child. The Lord gave me Psalm 127:3-5. Even as I shared the verses with the couple, I wondered if they were supposed to adopt. Several years later, after a number of failed in vitro fertilization treatments, they finally decided to adopt. I knew I was supposed to share the verses with them. The adoption thoughts were simply that: thoughts.

I think there is an area in the prophetic that is less black and white than we would like it to be. It is this area where we partner with the Lord in terms of the words we prophesy. Just as the Lord made sure that none of Samuel’s words fell to the ground, so in the same way the Lord can empower the words we speak.

It would be great if every time we prophesied, we had a perfect anointing to know that every single word was from the Lord. Although it may be that way sometimes, it’s not going to be that way all of the time.

The thoughts we have may be our own thoughts, Holy Spirit inspired thoughts, or a combination thereof. After all, we do have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

By Ralph Veenstra