We had a speaker, Bob Harper, who talked to us about cross-cultural communication. When contacting South Africa from England or America, there are many cross-cultural differences. Someone warned us that people moving to South Africa from America and England often suffer culture shock. I experienced culture shock myself on my return to South Africa after my three-month stay in America. The talk gave me useful tips for living in England. But, I only felt their true value after years of adjusting to life there.

 

Later at our gathering, we prayed for each other. We focused on those planning to do outreach in other countries. While praying for me, one of the students received two words for me. It was a scripture. It was about finding a great treasure, hiding it, and then selling all you have to buy the field with that treasure. She explained that God’s treasure is not in property but in people. This immediately confused me. Was she suggesting I should sell my house in South Africa and invest all the money in God’s people?

 

Then she shared another scripture, which warned against throwing pearls before pigs. She advised, I should keep this matter sacred between myself and the Lord. I felt a sudden sense of condemnation. She concluded with the reassuring statement, "God is so pleased with you."

I sat there in speechless confusion, grappling with the question, "God, what are You saying to me? Am I supposed to sell the house, give the money away, and not discuss it with anyone?" This was not an answer to any of the questions I had in my heart. I was left bewildered.

 

What I didn’t realise at that moment was that this was a perfect example of how not to use prophecy. I felt confused and hurt, unable to stop crying while trying to hide my emotions. One lady found me after some time, and I shared my feelings with her. Later, a couple approached me. They told me they believed the woman's view was misguided.

 

The moral of the story is this: Don’t always try to provide an interpretation of a prophetic word. One person may have a word and someone else may have the interpretation. Or, it merely answers your unasked questions. A prophetic word should always confirm what is already in your spirit. Sometimes we privately seek significance by sharing a word and its interpretation, therefore undermining the work of the Spirit.