I. Prophecy

A. Characteristics of a prophet - (Strong motivation to conform to God's standards.)

1. Can discern or has perception into the hearts of men, has insight into people's motives..
   • He makes a good counselor, but generally doesn't enjoy counseling.
   • Example - Jesus and the money changers. (Mark 11:15-17).
   • Elisha - When Hazael came to him. (II Kings 8:7-15).
2. Has vision - can see into the future and see where a course of action will lead, etc. (Prov. 29:18) (I Sam. 3:1) (Lam. 2:9).
3. Is a leader - may be a pastor, but can also be a leader in other areas. (Acts 13:1)
4. Is persuasive and expects results.
5. Functions best when "in control" or "in charge" of a situation.
6. Is an initiator - thinks of new and unique ways of doing things.
7. Is receptive to new ideas - willing to try anything.
8. Is convinced every problem has a solution, that every problem can be understood and solved.
9. Tends to be a crusader - has strong opinions - sometimes seems to be an egotist.
10. By nature is abrupt and blunt and therefore sometimes seems to be insensitive to other people's feelings. Tends to be frank and to speak boldly.
11. Tends to be disorderly and disorganized because he has-an intense awareness of priorities and tends to leave unimportant details undone or to leave them to someone else.
12. Identifies evil, enabling the body to deal with sin.
13. Experiences brokenness over sin, interceding for the sins of the people.
14. Often use scriptural validation.
15. Seeks evidence of change that someone has turned from sin.
16. Concerned for the reputation of the church.
17. Like to be told their own 'blind spots'; places were they are 'missing it'.

B. The prophet's greatest joy - he is happiest when taking charge of a situation and accomplishing results through doing important tasks.

Note: A gift of grace is given us by God but since we are still in this human body, we have to guard against certain things that will prevent us from reaching our greatest potential in expressing our motivational gift. By "dangers" I mean that these are the areas he needs to work on, or if these are not true of him, he needs to guard against them becoming true. This is the “dark” side.

C. The prophets greatest dangers are:

1. Tends to hurt other people's feelings because of his bluntness. Often too harsh, and must learn to speak the truth in love.
2. Tends to be intolerant, critical and condemning of those who are not like him. Use of scriptural validation can be misplaced, eg condemning make-up.
3. Tends to come across as an egotist, or wise guy.
4. Sometimes turns others off because he is so opinionated, so sure he is right.
5. Has difficulty making close friends
6. Needs to work on being more orderly and organized.
7. Needs to ask God to help him to be more sensitive to the feelings of others, etc.
8. Tends to be insubordinate because he is not happy unless he is "in charge".
9. Tends to move into new ideas and new ways of doing things without properly analyzing a situation.
10. Sometimes tends to talk too much - to monopolize the conversation, because he feels subconsciously that no one is as logical or that their thoughts cannot possibly be as important as his.
11. Tends to have an abrasive personality, because of his bluntness and abruptness.
12. He is often too interested in groups and forget the individual.
13. Likes to see dramatic changes and doesn’t allow people to change gradually.

B. The prophet needs to heed the scriptural admonitions of Romans 12:9.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (Rom 12:9 KJV)