How Personal Prophecy Works: The Spiritual, Prophetic, and Supernatural Sequence

 How Personal Prophecy works! 

Are you hungry for real spiritual experiences—not just hollow religion, but the supernatural life that Jesus promised? Maybe you’ve encountered personal prophecy and wondered: What’s actually happening behind the scenes? Why do some prophetic words strike the bull’s eye, revealing what God’s already stirring? And why does confirmation seem so important in Scripture and in real life?

The pain point is real: too many believers have encountered fake prophecy, flattery, or error, and walked away discouraged, wounded, or doubting God’s supernatural power. Or maybe you’ve missed a genuine word from the Lord because you didn’t discern the process at work. Today, I want to walk you through the biblical dynamics of personal prophecy—step by step—so you can recognize God’s voice, obey, and experience real transformation.

Stick around, because we’re diving deep into prophetic foundations found in 1 Samuel, Ephesians, and what is lived out on the streets. By the end of this post, you’ll see how personal prophecy isn’t about hype or psychic tricks—it’s about God’s relentless pursuit, correction, and confirmation, setting you up for your upward call.

What Is Personal Prophecy? Not Just Feel-Good Encouragement

Let's be clear: biblical prophecy is more than a motivational speech. The Lord still speaks—He reveals His heart, His warnings, His plans for you. Ephesians 4:11–12 tells us why God gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–12 KJV).

Notice that word ‘edifying.’ In the Greek, it’s oikodome—like building up a house. It’s about laying a spiritual foundation, not just tickling ears. Prophecy often addresses God’s plan for your life, not just your comfort.

This means when God delivers a personal word—whether through a preacher, a stranger, or a friend—it’s designed to put you (or get you back) on track with His purpose.

The Biblical Model: Prophecy Sequence in 1 Samuel

Let’s dig into 1 Samuel—a book sometimes called the “First Book of Kings”—to discover a real-world progression for how personal prophecy operates.

The Short Leash of Spiritual Responsibility

Eli the high priest is a perfect example. God holds those in spiritual authority to a higher standard. Think about Moses—one wrong move and he couldn’t enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12). Leaders are on a short leash because their choices ripple far and wide.

Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were out of control—committing sin at the very door of the tabernacle.

And he said unto them, Why do ye such things?... Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress (1 Samuel 2:23–24 KJV).

Eli gave his sons a verbal warning, but he didn’t enforce God’s standards with real action. According to the Torah, flagrant disobedience could’ve meant harsh discipline—even death. This is a hard pill to swallow, but God expects us to value His word above family ties (Deuteronomy 21:18–21).

When God Is Already Working: The Piercing of the Heart

Before a prophetic word arrives, God is already working on the recipient’s conscience. Eli was ‘pricked in his heart’ because he knew things weren’t right, yet didn’t take the necessary steps.

This is huge for street ministry and practical prophetic evangelism: the Holy Spirit often preps the ground before you arrive. Whether you’re sharing a word at Walmart, in your community, or behind the pulpit, God is already stirring up conviction and awareness in people’s hearts.

The Prophet from Afar: The First Witness

And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord... (1 Samuel 2:27 KJV).

God sends a prophet—often someone unfamiliar, from outside your comfort zone. Notice that in this account, the first warning didn't come from a friend, but from an unnamed "man of God." Jesus affirmed this principle:

A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house (Mark 6:4 KJV).

You might be tempted to dismiss the messenger, especially if they don’t fit your expectations. But, in my experience, this is often when God hits the bullseye. Many times, when we give words of knowledge in public, the response is, ‘How did you know that?’ Why? Because the Lord has already been dealing with them on that very subject.

Familiarity can breed contempt. Paul warns about not discerning the Lord's body—sometimes the word you need comes from a vessel you'd never choose (1 Corinthians 11:29–30).

For example, imagine a homeless man who, after you offer to buy lunch, quietly says, “The Lord is telling you to reconcile with your sister today.” It lands on the very thing God pricked your heart about that morning. If you brush it off because of his appearance, you miss the grace in the message. The Lord can speak through "the least of these" to confirm what He’s already been saying to you.

The First Word: Opening the Space to Repent

The man of God's message to Eli detailed everything the Lord had been communicating to Eli's spirit. He covered their history, the blessings, and the current offense:

Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering... (1 Samuel 2:29 KJV).

This phrase echoes what Jesus said to Paul: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (Acts 9:5 KJV). God had warned, disciplined, and pleaded—and now came the first prophetic witness.

Here's the critical timing: The first prophetic word opens the space to repent. God often provides this space before final judgment. Even in Revelation, God gives "Jezebel" time to turn around (Revelation 2:21).

The pattern is:

1. God convicts directly.
2. The first prophetic witness (often a stranger) opens a window for repentance.
3. If no repentance comes, the confirmation word establishes the result.

Confirmation: The Two or Three Witnesses Principle

God affirms His word with witnesses. The unnamed man of God was the first, and now Samuel—whom Eli is raising—becomes the second:

And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle... I have told him that I will judge his house for ever... (1 Samuel 3:11–13 KJV).

This is the confirmation. Samuel repeats what the first prophet declared. Jesus said:

In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established (Matthew 18:16 KJV).

In my experience, and in Scripture, when a prophetic word comes twice—or when the same revelation repeats through two different people—it’s God making sure you can’t miss it.

The Role of Relationship and Relational Prophecy

Notice that Samuel is someone Eli knows, trusts, and has mentored. This relational dynamic matters.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed (James 5:16 KJV).

When someone who walks closely with you shares a prophetic confirmation, it’s powerful. It’s not just “sidewalk prophecy”—it’s the spiritual architecture (oikodome) that Ephesians 4 describes.

The Prophetic Process: How It Plays Out on the Streets

Let’s bring this biblical framework to street-level ministry, where I’ve spent years sharing words of knowledge and prophetic wisdom.

1. God Is Already at Work: When we share a word from God, almost always, He’s already dealing with the person about that very issue. The prophecy simply brings to light what’s already burning within.
2. External Confirmation: Someone outside their circle—maybe you, maybe a traveling preacher—delivers a word that ‘reads their mail.’ This gets their attention.
3. Relational Confirmation: God then brings further confirmation through someone they recognize and respect, or by repeating the message through their own prayer life. Like Samuel with Eli, this second witness seals the word.
4. The Space to Respond: At this point, the recipient has a choice: repent, align, respond—or harden their heart. God’s heart is always to restore, never to ambush.

The Hard Sayings: Why Eli Failed

Eli's story ends with tragedy—his sons die, and the glory departs from Israel. Why? Because Eli failed the "Hard Sayings" test.

Jesus made it clear that following Him requires prioritizing God's will above even our closest family ties:

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26 KJV).

Eli honored his sons more than God (1 Samuel 2:29), refusing to execute the necessary discipline because it was too painful personally. Prophecy often demands we choose God over comfort or kin. Ultimately, the prophetic ministry isn’t about gaining wealth or popularity—it’s about aligning with God, no matter the personal cost.

Key Takeaways: How to Recognize and Respond to Prophecy

• God usually starts the process by dealing with your heart. When you feel conviction, don’t shrug it off.
• Prophets (sometimes strangers) provide confirmation—God’s way of saying, ‘Pay attention, this is Me still speaking.’
• Local or known leaders then often deliver a confirming word, solidifying the message.
• Confirmation is key. Like Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s double dream: And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass (Genesis 41:32 KJV).
• There’s always a window to respond. Even when judgment is declared, God’s desire is repentance and restoration.

Conclusion and Call to Action

If your heart’s burning as you read this, it’s time to act. The supernatural life Jesus promised—prophecy, edification, transformation—is not just for ‘higher-ups’ but whosoever will. Do not ignore that tug in your spirit. Ask the Lord how you can align with His plan, and boldly move forward.

If this post helped you, please share it with your friends and family on social media. Let’s build each other up in the faith, pursue our upward call, and take Jesus to a spiritually hungry world.

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Action Items

1. Silence: Spend fifteen minutes in silence this week, inviting God to highlight any area He’s already nudging you about.
2. Seek Confirmation: Ask the Holy Spirit to send confirmation—through Scripture, a trusted mentor, or even a stranger—about what He’s showing you.
3. Obey: Step out in obedience, even if it feels hard or costs you comfort.
4. Study: Read 1 Samuel chapters 2 and 3 in the KJV. Journal your lessons on spiritual authority.
5. Share: Post on social media or tell a trusted friend about a time God spoke prophetically to you.

Till we meet again, dig deeper and go higher!

Why I Don’t Get Excited About TV or Politics (And Neither Did Jesus)

Spoiler: It’s not apathy—it’s spiritual alignment.

The Great Confusion

People get genuinely confused when I don’t react to the latest late-night TV drama, the trending reality show fiasco, or the political circus dominating the 24-hour news cycle. The question always comes, full of incredulity: “Did you see what happened last night?”

My answer is usually a simple, slightly disarming, “Nope.”

I haven't even owned a television since the late 90s. This isn't a boast of spiritual superiority; it was a divine intervention, an honest correction from the Lord. I had to ditch the box when I woke up to a terrible truth: I could sing more commercial jingles than I could quote Scripture. That was an easy, necessary call. The choice was clear: I traded the endless static of commercials and sensationalism for the silent, nourishing communion with the Holy Spirit. And I have never once regretted it.

Think about the sheer volume of noise we invite into our spirits through that screen. It's not just the violence or the vanity; it's the mental real estate it occupies. Every jingle, every plot twist, every partisan talking point is a seed planted in the garden of your mind. How can we expect to hear the still, small voice of God when our spiritual antenna is constantly tuned to the world's deafening frequency?

The call is to have the mind of Christ. How do we get that mind? By meditating on His Word day and night, not on the latest drama. The world’s primary output is distraction—a highly effective spiritual anesthetic designed to keep us comfortable, entertained, and completely ineffective for the Kingdom.

The Political Obsession: Confusing the Capitol with the Kingdom

If TV is a major distraction, politics often becomes a full-blown spiritual substitute. I see Christians getting tangled up in political debates, campaigns, and partisan battles as if the outcome of the next election were the very Gospel itself. We pour our passion, our time, and our resources into earthly systems that are, by their very nature, temporary and flawed. We treat a political platform as if it were the bedrock of salvation.

Christians get tangled up in politics like it’s the Gospel. But Jesus didn’t campaign, endorse, or debate policy.

Let's be clear: Jesus didn’t campaign, endorse, or debate policy. He didn’t storm Rome to overthrow the occupation. He didn’t start a Political Action Committee (PAC) to fund a favored candidate. His entire ministry was focused on proclaiming one thing: the Kingdom of God. The power He wielded wasn't political; it was supernatural and spiritual. The change He sought wasn't legislative; it was transformational, beginning in the human heart.

Our mandate is not to save a political party; it is to save souls. Our loyalty is not to a flag or a platform; it is to the Cross. When the political obsession rises to the level of devotion, it becomes an idol, pulling our eyes off the King of kings and directing our energy toward temporary thrones.

What Did Jesus Say About Politics? 

If we want to know where to place our excitement and effort, we must look to our ultimate pattern. How much attention did Jesus give to the earthly rulers and the governmental debates of His day? The Bible, our infallible guide, gives us a very concise answer.

Let's meditate on the King James Version of these pivotal moments:

1. The Question of Taxes and Authority

When the Pharisees and scribes tried to trap Him with a question about paying tribute to the Roman Emperor, His answer settled the matter with divine clarity:

“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.” (Luke 20:25)

This is not a call to anarchy or revolution; it is a call to spiritual prioritization. Yes, we obey the laws of the land and pay our dues, but the core of our being, our heart, our worship—that belongs exclusively to God. Caesar gets the coin with his image; God gets the soul stamped with His image (Genesis 1:26).

2. The Assessment of King Herod

When warned that Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, sought to kill Him, Jesus didn't flee or organize a counter-political movement. He simply sent a message:

“And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.” (Luke 13:32)

A "fox" (a term for cunning and deceit) is the most scathing personal political commentary we get. But notice the context: Jesus immediately pivots from the politician to His own divine mission. The political climate was irrelevant to His agenda. His focus remained on fulfilling the will of the Father: driving out devils and curing people.

3. The Declaration to Pilate

In His ultimate confrontation with the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, Jesus defined the scope and source of His power:

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36)

This is the definitive statement that grounds everything. Our King is not leading a revolution of armies or lobbyists. His Kingdom operates by different laws, is sustained by a different economy, and seeks a different victory. If our focus is to bring about change through earthly fighting—whether physical or political—we are operating outside of the model our King laid out for us.

Flip the Script: From Informing Jesus to Informing the World

The lesson from the "fox" encounter is perhaps the most profound in how we approach the political landscape. Herod was a constant, shifting danger, yet Jesus was not consumed with tracking his every move or legislative decree. He wasn't waiting for the news of what Herod was up to.

Jesus didn’t ask for updates on Herod. He sent Herod a message. We’re not called to inform Jesus about politicians. We’re called to inform politicians about Jesus.

He sent Herod a message. This is the crucial paradigm shift. We have become so consumed with being "informed" about the world that we have forgotten our actual mission: to inform the world about the transforming power of the Gospel. We’re not called to sit at the feet of the evening news to report back to God on how bad things are. God is already sovereign over the chaos.

Our calling is to be ambassadors of a superior Kingdom. We carry a message of reconciliation, not political critique. As the Apostle Paul wrote:

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV)

Our job is to move with the authority of Jesus, who declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth,” (Matthew 28:18) and then commanded us to go and make disciples. Our true power lies in the spiritual realm, not the ballot box.

The Kingdom vs. The Chaos

We live in a world that thrives on drama and division. It wants to capture your attention and your energy. It wants you to believe that the fate of your faith depends on which talking head has the microphone or which party wins the majority. That is a lie designed to distract you from your true power and purpose.

If Jesus, the Messiah, the King of Glory, only mentioned politicians in passing—and usually to remind them (or us) who is really in charge and what His actual mission was—maybe we should adopt His economy of focus. Let's keep our eyes on the Kingdom, not the chaos.

Let us heed the timeless warning given in the KJV, a warning that applies perfectly to the distractions of the modern age:

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

Our mandate is clear: Look unto Jesus. His Kingdom is not of this world, and neither should our primary passion be. Let the world have its dramas and its debates. We have a higher calling, a greater King, and a destiny that transcends the temporary troubles of this life. We're called to alignment, not apathy. We are called to the communion, not the commercials.

***

What are you trading for communion today? The political noise? The TV drama? The choice is yours. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and consider subscribing to get more insights on living a truly aligned life!

The Good Decision That Cost Everything

My Theology Got Cooked: The High Cost of a 'Good' Detour

The Danger of 'Good' Decisions

I've got something burning on my heart today, something the Lord won't let me shake until I share it with you.

Lately, as many of you know, Susan and I have been running hard for the Lord. We've seen His faithfulness on the streets of Troy and Daleville, Alabama. We've ministered in nursing homes and seen the peace of Jesus touch people. I've even had the privilege of leading worship for a men's fellowship. God is moving, and we are seeing real, tangible fruit. It's a blessed season.

But as I was praying about what to share, the Holy Spirit didn't bring up these recent victories. Instead, He brought back a powerful, painful memory from a few years ago. It was a moment that didn't just teach me a lesson... it completely cooked my theology. It exposed a massive flaw in my walk, and the price for learning it was steep. I believe the Lord wants me to share this with you, not just as a testimony, but as a sober, prophetic warning for every believer who is walking closely with Him in this hour.

We all want to do good things, right? As Christians, we're taught to be helpful, to bear one another's burdens, to have a servant's heart. But what happens when a "good" thing, a "helpful" act, is actually a spiritual detour? What happens when that "yes" you give to a friend is a "no" you're giving to a divine assignment? I learned firsthand that the consequences aren't just missed opportunities... they can be catastrophic, opening the door to spiritual backlash, demonic attack, and the complete abortion of a ministry assignment.

The Indianapolis Incident: A Commitment Without Counsel

The story begins a few years ago in Indianapolis. Susan and I had committed to a ministry we'd never worked with before to do a homeless outreach. Our time was set apart. We were prayed up, focused, and ready to serve. This was our assignment. 

Then the phone rang. It was a friend.

"Hey Conrad, could you do me a huge favor? I really need some help moving furniture."

Without a second thought, without a moment of prayer, I said, "Yes."

Why wouldn't I? It's just helping a friend. It's a "good" thing to do. I figured it would be a quick detour, a simple act of service, and then we'd get right back to the "real" ministry of the homeless outreach. It seemed harmless. It seemed right. It was, in fact, a devastating mistake.

The 'Quick' Detour That Changed Everything

I want you to pause and think about how often we do this. We have our God-given assignment... raising our kids, working our job as unto the Lord, preparing for a ministry, or even just our committed time of prayer and study. And then the phone rings. An email pops up. A "quick" request comes in. It seems good. It seems helpful. And just like me, we say "yes" without ever consulting the One who gave us our primary assignment.

My "yes" was a prayerless decision. I had already committed my time, energy, and spiritual focus to the Lord for the homeless outreach. This new "yes" was a violation of that prior commitment. I had, in effect, made a new covenant with a "side event" without seeking the counsel of my King. And the spiritual world, which operates on legal principles we often ignore, took notice immediately.

The Immediate Spiritual Backlash

Within one minute of hanging up that phone, I was hit. It wasn't a subtle feeling. It was two distinct, intense, agonizing pains in my body. It was so severe I could barely walk. This was not a pulled muscle. This was not a random cramp. This was pointed. It was precise. It was an attack.

That debilitating pain lingered all day and all through the night. I was mystified, confused, and in agony. I was trying to figure out what I had done, what door I had opened. But the connection wasn't clicking.

The 3:30 AM Wake-Up Call

Then, at 3:30 in the morning, the Lord woke me up. It wasn't a gentle nudge; it was an alarm. And His voice was perfectly clear in my spirit: "You know those are demons, don't you?"

In that instant, it all made sense. The phone call. The prayerless "yes." The immediate pain. My theology, which had been a bit fuzzy on this, was suddenly "cooked" into sharp focus. I had stepped out from under the Psalm 91 covering of my divine assignment. My disobedience, my presumption, had given the enemy a legal right to "buffet" me. This supernatural Christian life we're called to is real. The authority is real, the assignments are real, and the spiritual backlash is also very, very real.

Biblical Precedent: The Gibeonite Deception

As I was processing this, the Lord immediately brought a story to my mind, one that perfectly mirrored my own failure: Joshua and the Gibeonites.

Remember the context. God had given Joshua a crystal-clear mission. He had just told them: "Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.'" (Joshua 1:11 KJV). The assignment was clear. The command from God was even more specific: "Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst." (Exodus 34:11-12 KJV).

No covenants. No side-deals. No mercy for the "inhabitants of the land." The mission was total possession.

Then, the Gibeonites show up. They're inhabitants of the land, but they're deceptive. They come with moldy bread, worn-out sacks, and old wine bottles. They look pitiful. They look harmless. They present a "good" reason to be spared. And what does Joshua do? Something along the lines of what I did.

"...and the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them." (Joshua 9:14-15 KJV).

They "asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD." That was the failure. They trusted their own eyes, their own logic, their own "good" intentions. And my "yes" to helping my friend move furniture? That was my Gibeonite deception. It was a "harmless" request that looked like the right thing to do. But I, too, "asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD." I made a covenant with a "side event," and in doing so, I had just allowed a "snare in the midst" of my primary, God-given mission.

Repentance, Warfare, and a Lingering Lesson

There at 3:30 in the morning, I repented. I got on my face and asked God to forgive me for my presumption, for my disobedience, for walking by my own "good" sense instead of by His Spirit. I confessed my sin of making a prayerless commitment that violated my assignment.

Then, I moved into authority. I wasn't just a victim; I was a disobedient son, but a son nonetheless, with the name of Jesus. I took authority over those two demonic spirits that were causing the pain, and I commanded them to leave. One left immediately. The other one, however, required me to stand firm. I had to press in, to stand on the word and the authority I have in Christ. Spiritual warfare isn't always a one-and-done "poof." Sometimes you have to stand your ground until the enemy fully yields. Finally, it too left.

I was reminded of Paul's words about his "thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." (2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV). My prayerless pride, my "I got this" attitude, had invited a messenger of Satan to buffet me. But in my humility, as I repented, God's grace was right there. I was vividly reminded: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).

The Sobering Aftermath: When I Didn't Fully Learn

This is the part of the story that's hardest to tell. It's the most sobering part of all. You would think that after a night of demonic attack, divine correction, and spiritual warfare, I would have immediately called my friend and said, "I can't. I made a mistake. I have to stay on my assignment."

But I didn't. My flesh was still in the fight.

I still went to help move that furniture. I had repented for the disobedience that led to the attack, but I hadn't yet fully submitted to the original instruction. I still tried to do both. I tried to serve God and serve my "good intention."

And everything... everything... went wrong.

It was chaos. Absolute, complete chaos. We went to get food, and our bank cards wouldn't work. We tried to reach the person we were helping, and we couldn't get in touch with them on the phone. Every step was met with frustration and roadblocks. This wasn't just "one of those days." This was the hand of God not being upon our efforts. The hedge of protection was not on this activity. We were operating "outside the camp," and we were exposed.

Then the disaster hit. A super heavy piece of furniture we were moving fell. It didn't just tip over; it fell and completely crushed my friend's ankle.  

The True Cost of My 'Helpfulness'

In that moment, the full weight of my decision crashed down on me. But the crushed ankle and chaotic day weren't even the highest price. Here is the punchline, the part that should shake every one of us:

The entire homeless outreach was lost.

Because of my "quick detour," because of my prayerless "yes," the entire kingdom purpose for our trip in Indianapolis that day was aborted. We never made it. The ministry we were supposed to do, the people we were supposed to reach, the souls we were supposed to touch... it all evaporated. All because I thought I could fit in a "good" deed that God had not ordained.

Main Message: The Higher the Calling, the Stricter the Walk

This is the warning I feel so strongly for all of us. When we're casual believers, God's grace covers an amazing amount of our sloppy living. But when you press in, when you raise your hand and say, "Yes, Lord, use me. Send me. I'll go," the standard changes. The expectations are higher. The walk becomes stricter.

We are called to be living sacrifices. Paul begs us: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2 KJV).

A sacrifice does not get to choose where it goes. A sacrifice stays on the altar it was assigned to. My "yes" to my friend was me, the living sacrifice, crawling off God's altar to go jump onto a different one that looked "good" to me. I was conforming to the world's pattern of "being helpful" instead of being transformed to prove God's "perfect will."

We are meant to be led by the Spirit. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8:14 KJV). I was led by my good intentions. I was led by my fleshly desire to be seen as reliable. I was not, in that moment, being led by the Spirit of God.

More Biblical Warnings on 'Side Quests'

This principle is all over scripture. My failure wasn't unique. One of my Inner Circle subscribers, responding to this story, pointed out another terrifying example from 1 Kings 13.

The Man of God and the Lying Prophet (1 Kings 13)

This story is one of the most sobering in the whole Bible. A man of God is given a direct, specific command from the Lord. He is to go to Bethel, prophesy against the altar, and then leave. God's instructions were explicit: "...for it was said to me by the word of the Lord, 'You shall neither eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.'" (1 Kings 13:17 KJV). The mission was clear. The boundaries were set.

The man of God does his job! He prophesies, the king's hand withers and is restored... it's a successful supernatural mission.

But then, the "side quest" is offered. An old prophet comes to him and says, "...I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, 'Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.' But he lied to him. So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water." (1 Kings 13:18-19 KJV).

The man of God disobeyed the direct word of the Lord to follow a "word" from another man. It seemed spiritual. It came from another "prophet." It was a "good" offer of hospitality. But it was a lie, and it violated his primary command. The consequence? As he was leaving, a lion killed him on the road.

My friend's "harmless" request was my "lying prophet." in my particular scenario.  They are actually a good friend; I am just using this as an illustration.  It seemed like a good, godly thing to do. But it contradicted the mission God had already given me. I listened to it, and while a lion didn't eat me, my assignment was killed on the road.

The Internal Battle: Why Do We Still Do It?

It's easy to read this and think, "Conrad, how could you be so foolish? Especially after the demonic attack!" And that's a fair question. The answer is found in Romans 7, which another subscriber brought up.

We are still in this flesh. And the flesh is at war with the Spirit. Paul's struggle is our struggle.

"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ... For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me." (Romans 7:15, 18-20 KJV).

My spirit knew my assignment. But my flesh, my "good intentions," my desire to be helpful... that part of me that is sin that dwells within me... rose up and took the bait. The "good" I wanted to do (the outreach) was hijacked by the "evil" I didn't want to do (disobeying my assignment by taking a "good" detour).

This isn't an excuse for our sin, but it is a critical explanation of the battle. It's precisely why we cannot trust our "good intentions." We cannot trust our feelings. We cannot trust "what seems right." We MUST be Spirit-led. We must ask counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

Conclusion: A Call to Radical, Prayerful Obedience

My "yes" was a small word with massive, kingdom-altering consequences. The walk with Jesus is a supernatural one, and the stakes are higher than we think. The closer you get to Him and the more He entrusts you with, the more precise your obedience must be.

This isn't about legalism. This is about intimacy. This is about staying so close to the Shepherd that you hear His voice for every step. It's about recognizing that we are on a mission, in enemy territory, and detours are deadly. We are not our own; we were bought with a price.

The warning for the Church in this hour is this: Stop saying "yes" to things God hasn't told you to do. Stop letting "good" opportunities from men pull you away from the "God" assignment He has given you. Your time, your resources, and your "yes" belong to Him. Before you commit, before you take that "harmless" detour, before you agree to help move the furniture... ask counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

The cost of a prayerless "yes" is just too high.

We Want to Hear From You

What about you? Have you ever had a "Gibeonite" moment? Have you ever said "yes" to a "good" thing and watched it blow up in your face, only to realize you had stepped off your assignment? What has God taught you about this kind of obedience?

Please share your thoughts, stories, and any verses that have helped you in the comments below. We sharpen one another!

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Grace and peace, Team Jesus.

Conrad