The Prophetic Ministry — ‘Vampire Prophets and Leaders’

Open Heavens Apostle Colin Nyathi Senior Pastor & Founder Harvest House International Churches
(Part Three):
1 Corinthians 12 vs 31,
But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 14 vs 1 & 39,Vs 1, “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.Vs 39, “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”

Introduction
The prophetic is one of the most significant gifts in the Bible. It is significant because of the following reasons: (1). Most mentioned in the biblical lists of gifting’s (2) Most explained gift in scripture (3)Most edifying to the whole church, most revealing of God’s will (4)Most available to all, in particular the “simple gift of prophecy.” 1 Corinthians 14 vs. 3: But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.(5) Most used together with the gift of speaking in other tongues: 1 Corinthians 14 vs 5: I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. (6) Most promoted of the gifts:1 Corinthians 14 vs 39, Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.(7) Most connected to Jesus : Amos 3 vs 7: Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

However when the inexperienced and untaught presume to be prophets, and begin to function outside the parameters of accountability and humility, nothing can be more devastating to the congregants and the body of Christ at large. It is mandatory therefore for those who sense a calling to the prophetic do the following: (a)Be serious students of the Word of God (b)Register at a Bible School and be taught (c) Find a good mentor, who themselves are proven prophets, very firm and will not tolerate nonsense. (Elijah and Elisha) (d) Be first a pastor (shepherd) because that ministry will enhance your love for God’s people and a sense of responsibility. Most “so called prophets” are harsh and irresponsible in words and action (e)Seek to learn from other ministers outside your sphere of influence.

How to develop in the prophetic ministry
Desire the gift with faith: 1 Corinthians 12 vs. 31, But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. Faith is important for prophecy because one can only speak forth in this way according to the proportion of their faith. Romans 12 vs. 6, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith. Be in the word and prayer: To increase one’s faith for this realm, one must constantly hear and study the Word of God, because only through the Word of God does faith arise. Romans 10 vs. 8, 17; 8, But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach)…17, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The greater the faith of a Christian, the greater the depth of prophecy. Be a worshipper: God’s anointing releases the operation of the spiritual gifts and the heavenly realms are opened. Psalm 22 vs. 3, But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. Understand impartation and the prophetic nature:2 Timothy 1 vs. 6, Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. This is transference of gifts, but those gifts need development. Understand the levels of prophetic (four levels):(a) Simple prophetic.(b) Prophetic gifting.(c) Prophetic ministry.(d) Prophetic office. These were discussed at length in our last week’s article

12 ways we can hear from God
Impressions — An impression is more than a feeling, it is a sensitised feeling or intuition. It is a form of discernment. The still small of voice of God is under this category. A word — we may see an actual written word in our mind and as we focus on it, an idea or a whole phrase forms. It’s easier if we know nothing about the person or situation and the thought comes suddenly. A picture — this is similar to a word but in pictorial form. It may seem ridiculous . . . you may see feet, hands, an eye . . . Again you often have to step out and the revelation comes quickly behind your step of faith. Visions — the first and most common manifestations of visions are visions of the spirit in the heart. The eyes can be open or closed. Seeing a vision and interpreting what is being seen are not one and the same. Supernatural senses — in this level, the five senses are amplified in sensitivity and ability. One can experience, “X-ray vision,” giving the ability to see through something or a heightened sense of smell or hearing. (We will continue next week with the remaining 7 ways of hearing from God).

Vampire Prophets
What is a vampire? It is a creature that drinks your blood. It lives by sucking your very life away. A vampire does not give you anything for sucking your blood. It simply takes away your life and your blood. Unfortunately, some leaders simply take away from the life of the sheep and never give anything back. Scripturally, a spiritual father, a pastor, a leader will benefit from the sheep he has reared. The Apostle Paul says, if we have sown spiritual things unto you, is it too much that we ask for material things. 1 Corinthians 9 vs 1 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? This is the balance that Apostle Paul advocates for, invest in sheep and the sheep will invest in you too.(This is not vampirism).A good shepherd gives many things to his sheep. A good shepherd does many things for his sheep. Are you a giver or a taker only?

E. Characteristics of a Vampire Apostle, Prophet, Pastor or Leader. (1)They manipulate people or situations for their own ends. (2) They display Narcissistic tendencies (Narcissus in Greek mythology was a handsome, vain young man, who fell in love with his own image not realising it was his own).They display symptoms similar to a Narcissist personality disorder which belongs to a condition known as dramatic personality disorder. They have a distorted superior self-image, abnormal love of self and an excessive sense of importance and superiority, combined with a preoccupation with success and power. These individuals have a deep sense of insecurity and an extremely fragile self esteem. (Medical News Today January 28, 2014) (3) Their appetite for attention causes them to have an inordinate desire to have hoards of people serving them including, in some cases, unnecessary security teams protecting them from imaginary danger. (4) They give prophecies of convenience that pander to people’s whims.

(5) Always expecting to receive and give nothing in return they are like parasitic leeches that suck on their hosts’ blood. (6) Whereas Christ exhibited a servant leadership style, vampire prophets on the other hand exhibit guru like tendencies and in some cases dictatorial tendencies. (7) They enter into ministry with wrong motives, self-aggrandisement, appeasement and self-enrichment . . . to this end the flock is flogged and sapped of its last resources as they endeavour to get rich. (8) They are accountable to no one in their life and ministry and are highly irresponsible (many of them). (9) A vampire leader will take away your sons and daughters and mistreat them like King Saul, who became a very bad leader the Bible says . . .,1 Samuel 8 vs. 13, “He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.” (10) A vampire leader will demand “offerings” from congregants for each prophecy given and each time they pray for you or your business they expect a token of appreciation in cash or in kind. (11) A vampire prophet will discard you when they think they have sucked you of all the resources you have and they now have no need of you. They move on to the next victim within their congregation. (12) A vampire leader gives preference to the well to do in the church and the poor are considered invisible.

Symptoms of Christians Affected By The Spirit of Vampirism.
(1) They look terminally bored because they have lost the joy of the Lord. (2) They have lost faith in Christian leaders and in God (3) They become cynical about every form of giving to the Lord, prophetic activity and any form of signs and wonders are despised because they have experienced abuse in that area. (4) They are suspicious of every man or woman of God. (5) They harbour anger, resentment and bitterness towards all church leaders. (6) They withdraw from all church activities. (7) They eventually backslide as they lose their calling.

How to Help Someone Affected by the Spirit of Vampirism.
Firstly, the onus is on them to leave that environment and be in a new environment where they can learn to trust again. Secondly those who receive them should welcome them back with open arms without condemning them. Show them much love. Thirdly take them back to the basics of Christianity which are Daily prayer, daily reading of the word of God, basic teaching on the doctrines of Jesus Christ and Salvation. Hebrews 6 vs 1-2, 1, Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God. 2, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. If one is in an environment where the basics like: repentance, faith, baptisms, resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment are not taught, it’s easy for them to backslide. Lastly, Counseling to do with the following issues will be very necessary: