“I prophesy that you will never lack,” says one social media prophet. “I cancel every demonic covenant,” and “I prophesy that this is your year of expansion,” claims a TikTok prophet. The rise of prophecy in our churches and on social media, especially TikTok, is gaining momentum fast. It feels almost impossible to escape these prophetic messages. A large portion of them encourage listeners to believe God for some form of breakthrough. Most of the time, the prophetic messages aim to uplift individuals in their life circumstances. The messages typically focus on common problems such as sickness, marriage issues, poverty, abuse, barrenness, stress, work-related struggles, and family troubles. The online prophets often provide emotional prayers, declarations to cancel negativity in life, spiritual anointing, and financial blessings as remedies to these challenges.
Why “Prophecy” is Attractive
What makes motivational prophetic messages on social media appealing is that they offer listeners a sense of control, hope, and an uplifting perspective, reminiscent of an “everything will work out” pep talk. It’s similar to the comfort a child feels when their parents say, “You’ll be alright,” which instills courage in the face of challenges. The authority, comfort, and security behind the parental messages mirror what a prophetic message offers the average listener online. Social media prophets aim to encourage people facing everyday struggles by asserting they will never lack or by allegedly canceling demonic strongholds and covenants. But are these prophecies true, and are they the best message for people to hear?
In the New Testament, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 urges believers to test the spirits behind prophecies and not to take everything prophets say as absolute truth. If a prophet’s words align with Scripture (1 John 4:1), they can be deemed edifying and helpful (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, it is essential to discern whether a social media prophet is speaking the truth by measuring their words against the truth of Scripture. Discernment is a crucial ability that every believer should grow in.
The Suffering of Prophets in Scripture
It is important to note that Scripture’s sole goal is not to promise our prosperity and health. It also does not guarantee that our declarations of fruitfulness and positive affirmations will come to pass. Consider the following examples of prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist, who faced significant hardships despite their allegiance to the Lord.
Isaiah
Historical data suggests that Prophet Isaiah came from a wealthy family. However, after his call to ministry, he consistently associated with the poor and spoke on their behalf (Isaiah 10:1-3). This implies that Isaiah experienced a decline in financial status. History also suggests that King Manasseh ordered Isaiah’s execution; he was placed in a sack and then inside a tree trunk, which was subsequently sawn in two. Even a powerful prophet like Isaiah could not prophesy a life devoid of hardship.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah once said, “I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; surely against me he turns his hand again and again all day long” (Lamentations 3:1-3). Jeremiah experienced little success in his ministry and wept over Israel’s lack of repentance (Jeremiah 13:17). He was instructed not to marry or have children (Jeremiah 16:2), which is why he is known as the weeping prophet. Even he could not prophesy a life free from affliction.
John the Baptist
The life of John the Baptist was lived in discomfort, wearing rough camel clothing and eating a sparse diet while ministering in the harsh wilderness (Matthew 3:1-4; Mark 1:4-6). Though he was filled with the Holy Spirit before his birth and proclaimed the coming of the Lord (Luke 1:15-17), he spent a considerable amount of time in prison (Luke 3:19-20) and ultimately met his end by beheading (Mark 6:27-28). Like Isaiah and Jeremiah, John’s life did not get any easier after he followed the Lord in faith. Instead, it became more challenging. Indeed, John was recognized as the greatest of the Old Testament prophets (Matthew 11:11), and he broke centuries of silence since the prophet Malachi. However, John could not prophesy a life free from suffering into existence or even prevent his untimely death.
Receive the Will of the Lord
The most unfortunate part is that social media prophets often fail to proclaim the whole counsel of Scripture. Regardless of what they prophesy, decree, or cancel, they cannot undermine what God has ordained (Proverbs 16:33; Job 42:2; Lamentations 3:37-39; Acts 4:27-28). Faithful prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist faced a lot of hardship. Yet, they accepted what God had allotted them, finding joy in fellowship with him, which surpasses anything the world could offer (Psalm 16:11, 84:10). Rather than being enamored with worldly things, these prophets were devoted to God himself, willing to endure any form of hardship for his glory (Isaiah 6:8-13, Jeremiah 16:2, Mark 6:27-28). That is why their prophecies did not pertain to worldly, temporal matters, as the social media prophets often do.
Your life may resemble that of the poor man Lazarus, considered righteous after enduring much suffering (Luke 16:19-31). No amount of flamboyant prophecy—be it from you, a social media prophet, or a church prophet—can prevent the purposeful challenges that God has ordained for you (Daniel 4:35, Psalm 115:3). Even if you face significant hardship for following the Lord, just like the prophets, you can rest assured knowing that in the end, you will have every tear wiped away from your eyes (Revelation 7:17, 21:4). You will experience the fullness of joy forever in heaven with Christ (Psalm 16:11). Furthermore, any suffering you endure will ultimately serve a greater good for those who love the Lord (Romans 8:28) rather than for the fleeting pleasures of this world. Indeed, the glory of heaven will outweigh the sufferings of this world (Romans 8:18).
Thus, dear saint, persevere and remain faithful in whatever situation God has placed you. Instead of trying to evade God’s will through social media prophecies and decreeing various outcomes in your life, rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). Strive to be grateful for who God is and for what He has done for you!