In an interview with Heather Schott and Les Cody from Mercy Culture, Cindy Jacobs explained why prophetic accountability is necessary for those who operate in the spirit.
“Yes, prophets do get it wrong,” Jacobs says. “Our feet need to be held to the fire when we get it wrong, and we need to be humble about it. But teachers get it wrong. Pastors get it wrong. Evangelists get it wrong.”
One of the key points that Jacobs makes about having accountability is that it all must be done in love. She points out how people are more willing to hear correction from someone who loves them than they are to hear it from someone they believe does not care about them.
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Jacobs describes the need for those in the prophetic to operate with a true fear of the Lord. When something is an impression from the Lord, she suggests calling it as such, being mindful and in reverence of the Lord instead of carelessly throwing words as a ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ Jacobs says there has to be a difference in understanding the gift of prophecy and the office of the prophet.
“I know when I click into the office [there’s a] difference,” Jacobs says. “Heavier authority. There’s a weightiness upon it. It’s very supernatural.”
“I can pretty much tell you when I am standing in that office. And I can say ‘This is what God is saying’ in the fear of the Lord,” she continues.
Jacobs says she believes we take prophecy too lightly, not fearing the Lord the way He deserves. One way of correction includes repentance and correction when a completely false prophecy is given. For those who falsely prophesied, it is key that they listen to other leaders who have seen the fault in their message.
“What you do is you find people that they will listen to, if there’s any in your circle or in the church to try to speak to them, first of all. Then, if they won’t heed that, then you broaden it. You begin to let it be known,” says Jacobs. “There are times where I have just literally said to a person or a group, ‘that is erroneous. I do not judge that to be the Word of the Lord.'”
Jacobs says that living a life of humility and submission is necessary for righteously walking in the prophetic.
“I have to honor the office of the pastor as much as I want the office of the prophet to be honored,” Jacobs says.
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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
