I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds. -- Jeremiah 23:21-22 (ESV)
Dr. John Veal calls himself the senior pastor/prophet of Enduring Faith Christian Center and the CEO of John Veal Ministries. He is an author of the book Supernaturally Prophetic: A Practical Guide for Prophets and Prophetic People. He authored the above linked article entitled, "Steps Every Believer Can Take to Activate Their Prophetic Gifts." Since the underlying assumptions contained within such a title are so wildly unbiblical, I thought it prudent to once again reason together to show what God says versus what the NAR and the false signs and lying wonders movement is trying to teach our youth today.
'"Follow after love and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy" (1 Cor. 14:1). Whether you know it or not, as a Spirit-filled believer, you are inherently prophetic. Inherent is defined as "belonging to the basic nature of someone or something." In essence, your gift was given to you by God to bless others. The gift of prophecy is quite literally embedded within your genes on a deep, spiritual level. It belongs to you, resides in you, and should flow from you organically and supernaturally. When you walk in continued ignorance of the gift at your disposal, stagnation and alienation of your God-given prophetic process occurs.' -- John Veal
Says no biblical text anywhere. This is the starting point for the false prophets of today. They open schools to teach the gifts of the Spirit; which is akin to blasphemy. Beloved we are inherently evil. We inherently need a savior. Our hearts are inherently deceitful and wicked. We are most certainly not inherently prophetic. This entire premise was made up in the wickedly deceitful heart of John Veal and whoever taught it to him. It is cute that he references a biblical verse and does no exposition on it because he knows the context destroys his premise and chosen beliefs:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. -- 1Corinthians 12:4-11 (ESV)
Does this set of verses even come close to implying that everyone has the same gifts? No! There are varieties of service! One is given an utterance of wisdom and to another an utterance of knowledge. To another healing and to another prophecy. If what Veal is teaching is true this verse would say to ALL prophecy. Notice that last verse? Who decides when and to whom the gifts are apportioned? Not John Veal. The Holy Spirit does. When you insist that you can apportion or teach the gifts of the Spirit then you are in fact committing the same sin that ended with Lucifer being cast down from heaven. Aspiring to the throne beloved is not something to be taken lightly within our faith. If we want even more proof, let's skip down towards the close of this chapter:
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. -- 1Corinthians 12: 29-31 (ESV)
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