We are often blamed for wrong prophecies that other people give, and as usual, this was the case with the Y2K debacle. I shared often over the last year that when I sought the Lord about Y2K He did not say anything to me for months. When I asked why He was not speaking to me about it, He said that He was not speaking because it was not going to be anything. When I called Bob Jones and asked him what the Lord had shown him about it, he said to not get caught up in the hype about Y2K. Few listened, including many prophetic people whom we know.

My point in bringing this up now is not to say "I told you so," but so that we can learn all that is possible from this situation. It did seem that most of the people who were crying the loudest about Y2K being a catastrophe were not prophetic people, but rather teachers, or pastors. However, I know many prophetically gifted people who were wrong about their Y2K predictions as well. My alarm now is that I have not heard a single one acknowledge their mistake. Those who do not acknowledge it will not learn from it, and will only be set up for worse mistakes in the future.

One of the greatest dangers is calling something revelation from God when we are in fact receiving it from other people. This obviously happened a great deal with Y2K. Those who humble themselves and learn from this lesson will probably be trusted with greater things in the future. The body of Christ is going to desperately need proven prophetic ministries in the times ahead. Many men and women of God in Scripture and history made great mistakes before being used for great things. Redemption is a foundation of the New Covenant. We look for the redemptive purpose in everything, especially mistakes, but we must judge prophecies if we are going to be found as trustworthy stewards.

We should also remember very well the spirit that was behind much of the Y2K hysteria. James 3:13_18 gives us clear guidelines for discerning this kind of spirit:

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.