In the affairs of life, it is God who will have the last word. At best, prophets only prophesy in part no matter how accurate a prophecy might appear. We are messengers who carry a small part of a greater revelation known only to God. God not only saves the best for last – He has the last word in all things, even when it comes to our most detailed and expansive revelations.

From time-to-time, all of us will add personal opinion to the revelation we release. Any addition of content to what God asks us to speak is our opinion. Opinion is not just verbal. It can be our style of presentation, our response to the expectation of our listeners, our tone or even our timing. Hopefully, at some point in the maturing process of our gift, we will learn to discern the difference between opinion and revelation in order to preserve the purity and integrity of our message. 

Where our prophetic gift can go sideways is when we think our opinion is fully the opinion of God. At this point, pride pays a subtle visit and attempts to elevate our opinion beyond what it should be to become an equal reflection of a greater and more complete truth known only by God. Well-meaning listeners of the same opinion can begin to champion a ministry and put people on pedestals where no human should stand. 

Paul wished all believers would prophesy at some level. That wide-open invitation to share a word from the Lord can only be safe and trustworthy when we remain humble in our understanding of our prophetic significance.

“Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He’s standing right alongside God, and what he says goes” (I Peter 3:22 MSG).