By Andrew Williams
Series: The Year of the Prophet- Month 1: The Anatomy of a Prophet
Week 2: Distinction and Definition
Anchor Scripture: “…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” — Ephesians 4:12 (NKJV)
The Teaching
One of the greatest misconceptions regarding the Office of the Prophet is that the Prophet exists to be a “spiritual answer-man”—a person to whom everyone runs when they need a word from God. While prophets certainly deliver specific words, their primary mandate according to Ephesians 4 is actually equipping.
The Greek word for “equipping” is katartismos, which refers to “mending“ or “fitting together.” In the ancient world, it was used to describe setting a broken bone or mending a fishing net so it could be used again for its intended purpose. The Prophet is given to the Church to mend the spiritual perception of the saints and to fit them for their own assignments.
A Prophet who only gives words but never teaches the people how to hear God for themselves is creating dependency rather than maturity. The true success of a Prophet is not measured by how many people follow them, but by how many people become “activated” because of them. The Prophet’s mandate is to wake up the “spiritual ears” of the Body, ensuring that every believer can recognize the Voice of the Good Shepherd. You are not called to be a soloist; you are called to be a trainer who prepares an army to hear and obey.
Prophetic Insight
If you are called to the prophetic office, your greatest joy should not be when you give a “sharp” word, but when someone you have mentored hears God for themselves for the first time. The Prophet is an “ear-opener.” You carry a grace to break off the spirit of deafness that rests over a congregation or an individual. When you operate in your equipping mandate, you aren’t just giving people fish; you are teaching them how to live in the “flow” of the Spirit.
The Activation
Think of someone in your life who is struggling to find direction. Instead of just trying to “get a word” for them, take a moment to pray with them and ask the Holy Spirit to open their ears. Share with them one way that you personally discern the voice of God. Aim to leave them more confident in their own ability to hear the Father than they were before they met you.
Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You for the mandate to equip the saints. I repent for any time I have sought to make people dependent on my gift rather than on Your Spirit. I ask for the grace to be a ‘mender’ and a ‘fitter’ in Your house. Give me the wisdom to train others and the humility to see them grow. Let the ears of Your Body be opened today through the work of the prophetic office. Amen.
