12 GLAD TIDINGS OCTOBER 2025 When Emotions Hijack Prophecy Aug 19, 2025 Stewarding the Pure Message One of the greatest challenges in modern prophetic ministry is the subtle temptation to allow our emotions—rather than the voice of God—to steer what we say and how we minister. There's a growing desire among prophetic people to deeply feel what others are feeling. On the surface, this seems compassionate. However, when we let sympathy (sharing in someone's feelings) or empathy (projecting ourselves into their experiences) shape how we deliver a word from God, we risk mixing His pure message with our human emotions. It's important to be clear: Sympathy and empathy are not wrong. They are natural human responses. The danger comes when we receive a word from the Lord and then unintentionally insert our emotions into it. We may soften, alter, or even unintentionally distort what God is saying because we're trying to connect with someone's feelings more than honoring His truth. Some may ask, "But didn't Jesus show sympathy and empathy?" Scripture consistently shows that Jesus was moved with compassion, not merely human sympathy. Compassion, as described in the Bible, means to feel deep distress for another and to act out of mercy without compromising truth. Compassion moves us to love without editing God's words. Why Intentionality Matters The word "intent" means "purpose, intention, design," and "a reason" (Vine's Dictionary). In prophetic ministry, and in everyday life as Believers, we must intentionally prioritize God's voice above our emotional reactions. Look at John 8:1–11: A woman caught in adultery was dragged before Jesus. The religious leaders demanded a verdict, attempting to trap Him. How did Jesus respond? He stooped down and wrote on the ground. He stood up to address the accusers. He stooped again to continue writing. The accusers, convicted by their own consciences, walked away one by one. Finally, Jesus stood and spoke directly to the woman. (Photo via Pexels) He didn't interrogate her. He didn't shame her. Instead, He lowered Himself to meet her where she was, and then lifted her with truth. Jesus modeled intentional compassion, not emotional manipulation. He didn't let the intensity of the moment or the emotions of the crowd hijack the purity of what needed to be said. The Challenge for Us If we are going to be faithful stewards of God's voice, we must understand that prophetic ministry demands something deeper than emotional connection; it demands spiritual discipline and intentional obedience. The challenge for us today is to resist the urge to react emotionally and instead respond spiritually. When we hear from the Lord, we are not merely messengers delivering encouragement based on how someone feels. We are ambassadors delivering truth based on what God sees, knows, and desires to reveal for healing, correction, encouragement, and growth. This requires a few intentional steps: 1. Pause before speaking. Resist the immediate emotional pull to say something just because you feel compassion. Take a moment to weigh whether you are about to deliver God's words or your own additions. 2. Pray before delivering. Prayer recalibrates our spirit to His Spirit. It reminds us that His agenda—not ours—is what matters most. Before you speak, ask, "Holy Spirit, let me say only what You are saying." 3. Purge emotional interference. Ask yourself, "Am I adding my sympathy? Am I trying to protect someone's feelings more than honoring God's truth?" Purge anything that might alter the pure word He's given. (Photo via Pexels) 4. Position yourself like Jesus.Jesus demonstrated compassion without compromising truth. He moved slowly, intentionally, and deliberately. He didn't rush under pressure. He didn't cater to the emotions of the crowd. He stayed aligned with Heaven's heartbeat, and so must we. 5. Prioritize God's honor above human approval. Sometimes, the word God gives will not make you popular. It may be misunderstood. It may challenge people instead of comforting them. But your goal is not applause; it's obedience. 6. Practice faithfulness over feelings. Faithfulness to God's word often requires you to feel the weight of someone's pain without letting it dictate what you say. It requires maturity to be moved with compassion and yet stay rooted in truth. 7. Protect the purity of the prophetic. Emotionalism is one of the greatest threats to pure, prophetic ministry. Emotionalism often sensationalizes God's word rather than reverencing it. Our challenge is to be clean vessels that are free from the need to be understood, liked, or validated. The High Calling We Carry This is the high calling we carry—to speak His word with intentionality, integrity, and unwavering compassion. If we allow emotions to hijack prophecy, we will end up comforting people into bondage instead of calling them into freedom. But if we stay intentional, we will partner with God to see hearts healed, chains broken, and destinies unlocked. The purity of our delivery matters. The intentionality of our obedience matters. God's voice is too holy to be diluted by human emotion. Let us rise to the challenge. If this message stirred something in your heart, take a moment today to pray: Lord, teach me to carry Your word with purity and intentionality. Remove anything in me that would interfere with Your voice. u Permission Granted/ElijahList Ryan Johnson Ryan Johnson Ministries Email: info@ryanjohnson.us Website: www.ryanjohnson.us RYAN JOHNSON Sevierville, TN Inspiring Quotes “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” ― Bill Keane “I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.” ― Jon Katz “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ― Corrie ten Boom u On January 3rd, 2006, (her 50th birthday), Terri Jennings was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma lung cancer. She went through an aggressive treatment plan and surgery before the cancer was eventually eradicated from her lungs. Some time later the cancer started to develop in a lymph node in her neck and she was told that she now had stage 4 cancer. Again the Doctors started a treatment plan while family and friends lifted her up in prayer. After a PET scan and biopsy on March 17th, 2008 the Doctors told her that the cancer had metastasized in the lymph nodes in her back. Although the Doctors were still performing radiation treatment, Terri knew that this most recent prognosis could mean death. A few months later while in prayer, Bruce Van Natta felt led by the Lord to call Terri and give her some encouragement along with a specific message. He called but was not able to connect with her for a week or two. When they did talk, Terri knew what the message was even before Bruce said it, because the Lord had been telling her the same thing. A few days later on June 15th, 2008 Bruce and 2 other members from their church anointed Terri with oil and prayed over her in the name of Jesus. When they commanded the cancer to leave her body in the name of Jesus she trembled momentarily and then began to feel heat in her body. On June 17th, Terri went in for a prescheduled PET scan that would show the Doctors the current progression of the cancer. To the Doctors amazement the cancer was completely gone! Although only a few people had actually laid hands on Terri in prayer, several people had been praying for her for a long time. God was gracious and answered all of those prayers on “Fathers Day” 2008. u Sweet Bread Ministries Healing Testimony of Terri Jennings
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