The Nature Of The PropheticSample

Submissive

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

To submit means to surrender or yield. Whether in our thoughts, our behaviour, or our relationships, submission is a purposeful acceptance of the will of another. Submission is not always a popular topic, but it is a vital component of carrying the nature of the prophetic.

We know the Lord’s prayer so well: “Your kingdom come; your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). Submission is to put God’s perfect will above our desires. Being prophetic comes from a revelation that our will, our intentions, and our decisions must be fully surrendered to God’s will. Practically, we do that by seeking to understand God’s will and intention through knowing His Word, and then obeying it. 

The starting point for prophetic people is to be submitted to divine authority. But to carry the nature of the prophetic, we cannot stop there. We must also yield to human authority. If you want to grow in the prophetic, you need accountability. It is very difficult to submit to authority if you are not under any spiritual leadership! Being planted in a local church creates the environment for you to cultivate and grow your prophetic gift.

David McCracken says, “The authority you are under determines the authority you carry.” He describes this as the ‘Centurion principle’ (Luke 7:1-10), “Jesus grew in authority because he was under the authority of His Father. The Centurion grew in his authority because he was under the authority of Caesar. It is a fundamental law.”

Being submitted to Father’s authority as well as human authority will increase your own authority in the prophetic. We all want to see more outworking of the power of the Holy Spirit. If you want to enlarge your prophetic gift, if you want to hear more clearly and receive more spiritual revelation, then ensure you are in submission in all areas of your life.