Prostitution of the Prophetic Archives

Biblical Principles

In Matthew 10:7-8, Jesus gave authority to cast out demons and to heal all kinds of sicknesses and diseases. Telling His disciples, “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Jesus instructed His disciples to not bring along money and other necessities, saying, “The workman is worthy of his keep” (Matt. 10:7b). They freely received the authority to perform signs and wonders in His name. And they were to freely operate in His power, and their needs would be met. They were not charging for their services, but they would be blessed as they go ministering.

Simony and the Prostitution of the Prophetic

This is not like the practices of some ministries requiring fees upfront. This is the prostitution of the prophetic known as “Simony.” It is the act of selling church offices and the trafficking of spiritual things for personal financial gain. In Acts 8, Simon Magus was believing in the gospel message taught by Philip. He was seeing that people were baptized in the Holy Spirit when the apostles laid hands on the new Christians. Simon offered money to Peter and John. Saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:19).

Simon was a sorcerer making money off divination. Psychics, astrologers and other occultists do the same today requiring payment before giving oracles and readings. This has been their practice for thousands of years. From the 8th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D., the temple of Apollo at Delphi was requiring payment for the oracles of the female priestesses known as the Pythia.

The Apostle Peter rebuked Simon for trying to bribe him for the anointing. Peter clearly said that the “gift of God” cannot be obtained by money. Simon’s heart was not right with God, being full of bitterness and bondage (Acts 8:23).

False Teachers and Marketing Schemes

Paul revealed to Timothy that false teachers have fallen into temptation by trying to get rich, plunging into ruin (1 Tim. 6:9-10). And this was the motivation behind Simon Magus’ request. False teachers were marketing their services upfront. Charging elaborate fees in-order to get wealthy as the false prophets in the Old Testament did the same (Ezek. 22:25, Jer. 14:14-16, Mic. 3:11-12).

Paul had these things in mind when, in the context of the use of prophecy, he said, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Examine all things. Firmly hold onto what is good. Abstain from all appearances of evil,” (1 Thess. 5:19-22). Prophecies are to be cherished and valued. Not mirroring pagan practices charging fees. Prophecy is to have a higher standard than the oracles of pagan temples where money was mandatory.

New Testament Principles

Those proclaiming the gospel should receive their living for their ministry (1 Cor. 9:13-14, 1 Tim. 5:17-18). But they should not be manipulating, cajoling or prostituting their spiritual gifts. This is abusing their ministerial office and misusing spiritual gifts by requiring payment. When this is the practice, people are spiritually bound to the ministry that is prostituting the prophetic. Returning frequently making payment to get their ears tickled while being led away from the truth (2 Tim. 4:3-5).

We cannot buy the gifts of God. They are freely given. Our giving to ministries is an act of worship. Wisely stewarding the resources God has blessed us with. Our tithes and offerings support the gospel message and the mission of the church. These are providing the salaries and administrative costs for the ministry, obeying the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). The gift of God is free, and as we freely give, God will supply our needs.

This is the second and final article in the Prostitution of the Prophetic series.

Balaam was once a prophet. The Old Testament Scripture reveals he had known Yahweh, speaking on His behalf. He knew the covenant promises of God and was anointed. But he went astray. Knowing that he had a great spiritual gift, he adopted the pagan practices of requiring money before giving oracles.

Speaking about false prophets, 2 Peter 2:15-16 says, “They have forsaken the right way and have gone astray. They follow the way of Balaam the son of Beor. Who loved the wages of wickedness, but who was rebuked for his iniquity. The mute donkey speaking with a man’s voice constrained the madness of the prophet.”

Balaam’s Error Being Practiced Today

Balaam’s error is the selling of prophecies, which I call the prostitution of the prophetic. This is when someone starts off hearing the word of the Lord but then begins charging fees, falling into divination (Jude 11; 2 Peter 2:15-16). It is when dream interpretations are given for a fee. And when finances are mandated in exchange for prophecies, following Balaam’s error. And paying for prophecies is not related to the common practice of ministry offerings.

Distorting Biblical Truth

Ministries that prostitute the prophetic misapply 1 Samuel 9:7, where Saul said, “But listen, if we go, what will we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our satchels, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” Having no bread and no present, the servant was offering to give silver.

At first glance, it may seem that they were paying the prophet. But when we look closer at the text and commentaries, we learn that during the times of the judges people provided the basic needs for the prophet, supporting their ministry. Presents given to the prophets were a cultural practice of respectful homage to an elder. These were small gifts and were not being used in paying for prophecy.

The prophet Samuel did not participate in the “conspiracy of the prophets.” This is when treasure and precious things are taken for personal gain and prophesying when the Lord hasn’t spoken (Ezek. 22:25). Scripture clearly warns against practices like this (Jer. 6:13-15; Jer. 14:14-16; Mic. 3:11-12).

New Ways to Spread the Gospel Must Not Be Abused

The digital age has provided new ways to publicize messages, raise money and market ministries. The Church should be leading technological innovation. There is nothing wrong with paid subscriptions, online ministry school fees or other training costs that are reasonable for the equipping of the saints, supporting the overhead, administration and salaries of the ministries. But the peddling of prophecies is the misuse and abuse of God’s spiritual gifts. And it caves into the temptation of false prophecies from the imaginations (Jer. 23:16; Ezek. 13:2).

2 Corinthians 2:17 (NIV) says, “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the root word for “peddle” is kapelos. It is a “huckster,” therefore, it is one who retails and adulterates the Word of God, corrupting it for profit.

Generosity is Key to Blessing

Generosity is key to Christian living. We are to be willing to share all good things with the one that teaches so that they make a living (Galatians. 6:6; 2 Corinthians 9:7). But our giving to the ministries that help us growing in Christ are not financial gifts given for prophecies. We do not give to receive. Tithes and offerings are basic principles we should apply as we give to God as an act of worship. But we need to correct ourselves when giving is mandatory or manipulated.

Matthew 10:8 says, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” We are to cherish spiritual gifts which we were freely given by God. And loving God and loving one another is how the world will know we are God’s children as we freely prophesy.

Prostitution of the Prophetic

What is the Prostitution of the Prophetic? Part 2