THE PROPHET’S CHARACTER AND LIFESTYLE– WALKING IN HOLINESS, HUMILITY, AND WISDOM
1. Holiness — The Foundation of a True Prophet
Prophets are called to represent God to His people. Their lives must be marked by separation from sin and obedience to God’s commands. Holiness is not optional; it is a prerequisite for ministry.
1 Peter 1:15–16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
Prophets cannot lead others into righteousness if their own lives are in disobedience. The foundation of all prophetic ministry is the pursuit of God’s holiness.
2. Humility — A Prophet’s Heart Posture
Humility protects the prophet from pride, self-exaltation, and the pursuit of popularity. True prophetic words are delivered with reverence, not self-glorification.
Micah 6:8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Philippians 2:3–4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Pride in prophetic ministry leads to manipulation, exploitation, and error. Humility ensures the focus remains on God and His Word, not on the messenger. Humility in Delivering Words:
Prophets must never speak to draw attention to themselves or intimidate others. Words must be given in meekness, reverence, and love.
Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Humility safeguards against manipulation, error, and misuse of God’s gift.
3. Wisdom — Delivering God’s Word with Discretion
Prophets must speak the truth boldly yet wisely, discerning when, how, and to whom to deliver God’s message.
Proverbs 15:23 “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”
Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”
Wisdom balances courage and tact. A prophetic word spoken without discernment can harm instead of heal.
4. Dependence on God — Not on Self or People
A prophet’s authority and effectiveness come solely from God. They must not seek validation, fame, or financial gain from their ministry.
Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
1 Corinthians 2:5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
Prophets are stewards of God’s revelation, not self- promoters. Their dependence must always be on God, not human applause or resources.
5. Integrity — Living What They Proclaim
Prophets are called to align their words and lifestyle with God’s truth. Hypocrisy undermines both their message and their ministry.
James 3:1–2 “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”
Matthew 23:3 “Therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”
Integrity demonstrates the authenticity of a prophet’s calling. God’s Word must be mirrored in their actions.
6. Love and Compassion — Motivated by Godly Concern
Prophets must operate in love, even when delivering rebuke or correction. God’s heart is always for restoration, not condemnation.
Ezekiel 3:16–21 “And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”
1 Corinthians 13:2–3 “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
Love tempers boldness. A prophet without love risks delivering messages in judgment rather than correction.
7. Avoiding the Love of Money and Covetousness
True prophets must not commercialize the prophetic gift or use it to build wealth or power.
- 1Timothy 6:5–10 “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
- 2Corinthians 2:17 “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
Prophets must give freely as they have received freely from God, not charging or exploiting those seeking God’s guidance.
8. Accountability — Remaining Under Godly Authority
Prophets are not above correction. God places leaders, elders, and the written Word to ensure prophetic ministries remain aligned with His will.
1 Corinthians 14:37 “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
Prophets thrive under accountability, humility, and submission to God’s ordained order.
9. The Prophet’s Witness — Leading Others to Depend on God Alone
Prophets exist to point others to God, not to themselves. They must avoid fostering dependence on their words, presence, or reputation.
Jeremiah 17:5–7 “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.”
John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
True prophets humble themselves, ensuring that all glory and dependence flow toward God.
10. Prayer — The Lifeline of Prophetic Ministry
Prayer is the prophet’s primary channel of communion with God. True prophetic insight flows from consistent, Spirit-led prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
Luke 6:12 “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”
Acts 13:2–3 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Prayer must be persistent, reverent, and Spirit-led. Prophets are strengthened and guided by ongoing communion with God.
11. Fasting — Deepening Sensitivity to God
Fasting enhances spiritual discernment, breaks the influence of the flesh, and intensifies intimacy with God.
Matthew 17:21 “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
Isaiah 58:6–7 “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”
Fasting must be paired with righteousness, mercy, and compassion, aligning the prophet’s heart with God’s purposes.
12. Meditation on the Word — The Prophet’s Foundation
The Word of God forms the prophet’s foundation. Meditation ensures that all revelations align with Scripture.
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Psalm 1:2–3 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Meditation deepens the prophet’s understanding, ensuring that every word spoken is rooted in God’s truth.
13. Worship — Aligning the Heart with God’s Presence
Worship focuses the prophet on God, humbling the heart and fostering intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
John 4:23–24 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Psalm 22:3 “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
Worship reminds the prophet that prophecy is a service to God, not self-promotion.
Conclusion:
The life of a prophet is a sacred calling requiring:
- Holiness — separation from sin and obedience to
- Humility — serving God and others without
- Wisdom — delivering the Word carefully and
- Integrity — aligning words with
- Love and Compassion — guiding people toward repentance and
- Dependence on God — avoiding greed, pride, or self-promotion.
A prophet’s ministry is effective only when rooted in God’s character, Spirit-led, and grounded in His Word.
