The primary answer to this question starting with the scriptures comes from Revelation -
Revelation 2:18
¶ And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Revelation 2:19
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Revelation 2:20
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Revelation 2:21
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Revelation 2:22
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:23
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Both a condemnation and an admonishment was being proclaimed to the church in Thyatira because women who were calling themselves "prophetess" and lacked the integrity(Job 2:3, Psalms 7:8, Proverbs 11:3) and sound doctrine(Titus 2:1) of the true prophetesses that were sent from The Lord were being allowed prominence and space was being afforded to them to teach others -unjustly.
There are a multitude of ministries throughout Gainesville and the surrounding areas and of course, even on a national level, that have women within them which would tell you that they are prophetesses. However, we have to remember the words from 1 John 4:1 -
1John 4:1
¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
As we begin to scrutinize (or try) these individuals as the scriptures instruct us to do - we do not see either their integrity or doctrine agree with established scripture or the character of the women who came before them. Who are some of those examples we have already mentioned?
Miriam - Exodus 15:20, Micah 6:4
Deborah - Judges 4:4
Huldah - 2 Kings 22:14
Anna - Luke 2:36
These women of scripture were not loose, nasty, adulterous, divorced, separated from their husbands, unholy women - they were Holy and could be proven righteous, upon thorough examination through the scriptures.
Are there any other scriptures that instruct us to evaluate, try, or scrutinize?
Proverbs 14:15
¶ The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
1Kings 10:1
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
1Thessalonians 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1Corinthians 4:1
¶ Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1Corinthians 4:2
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
With these references and biblical aids please enjoy listening to the 11th and 12th Broadcasts - for our discussions covering this woeful topic which is plauging the Gainesville area at large currently.
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