PROPHETIC SCRIBAL MINISTRY
The Skilled & Filled Prophetic Writer
Understanding the skilled and filled writer
Review pages 60-64 of The Scribal Anointing.
Exodus 31:2-4 AMPC states, “See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, To devise skillful works..."
One of the greatest challenges we face among prophetic writers and scribes is the tendency to be "super-spiritual" instead of finding a needed and necessary life-balance between their calling and the practical side of writing. This is another one of those "difficult" conversations we need to have within our scribal groups.
God does speak to us! But if it comes out in a way that the writer is the only person who understands it -- its a problem.
Once we put what the Lord desires of us on paper, there is a need to make sure that it is skillfully completed if we plan to publish beyond ourselves. Writing in a journal is one thing for most of us, but writing for distribution is completely different.
Unfortunately, one of the struggles prophetic people make is not recognizing that "excellence of skill" is a foundational part of the prophetic as well. Can I be frank for a moment?
Listen, people send me horrible poetry all the time. I can hear the Lord in it! I appreciate the prophetic release! But most of what I read from people is UNPUBLISHABLE! It doesn't fit the "concept of poetry" that would e successful in a published format. My heart here is not to discourage anyone, but we need to talk about this.
I've had people send me fiction novels, for example, that was without plot, setting, character development or even a dialogue that could be followed. There are many genres of writing where skill is needed to pull it off!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with becoming better. We understand this when it comes to carpentry, baking, sewing, etc. Guess what? We need to apply it to writing as well.
From this perspective, that is where contests, traditional Christian writing conferences or secular writing conferences can really help the prophetic writer. Truth are released in the venues where the industry is understood.
Many of those environments specialize in producing skilled writers WHO ARE ALSO sold out for the Lord!
Exodus 31 reminds us that GOD not only releases the gifts and ability to us, but that he also gives us "THE CAPACITY" to DIVISE skillful works. The word DEVISE is a powerful word in context with this passage and application today. In English, it means to systematically plan out, develop detailed blueprints for to with careful thought.
That kind of production requires expert knowledge and application! It requires teachability!
It can be dangerous, as believers, to lean so heavily into the skilled area that we neglect the things of the Spirit. We run the risk of operating out of the flesh versus the mind and will of God which is what drives the prophetic. It is also dangerous or to lean so heavily into the spiritual realm that we completely neglect the value that skill brings to a project. We must remember that we are developing our writing "for consumption" and to convey "specific messages." How we communicate that message is critically important as well! Failure to pay attention to this can easily result in a person's inability to receive what is written. It could cause them to regard the vessel releasing as one without a concern for excellence or without authority. Without the skill, we leave the appearance that "we just don't care!" No one wants to leave anyone with an impression like that. Yet, so many prophetic writers do... and then wonder why they are not taken seriously or respected!
REAL EXAMPLES
I have worked with many prophetic writers - most of whom disregard the need for professional training or professional services in critical areas. If we are to bring wholeness to the Scribal Nation, this is an area that we must make absolutely sure we are constantly growing and developing in to the best of our ability.
Over the years, many people have sent me their book projects. In one instance, an author sent a 70k word novel to review. I made it to the third chapter and had to completely put the novel down. While the story concept was strong based on the book description, the novel itself lacked all the elements that "make a novel a novel." I couldn't identify the setting, the main character, follow the dialogue, or even figure out a possible plot! While the concept of the story was indeed inspired by the Spirit, the author had absolutely no "skill" in novel writing. The book was horrible, and I had the difficult task of releasing that truth.
There is this "super-spiritual" belief among prophetic people that "I will write the book, message or develop the concept" the way it comes to me. The fallacy of this is that: "We filter everything we write through our place of understanding." So if, I do not understand how to construct a novel, poem, play, skit, contract, curriculum, etc. properly, then when I receive that Holy Spirit download... it will be filtered through my level of understanding.
Gaining the right skills provide the "structure needed" to place what we receive in the correct perspectives.
When we begin studying the life of biblical craftsmen, we not only learn about their interactions with the Father but also their process of growth, development, and apprenticeship. Unless a person is already an expert in that area, some form of training, assistance, or expanded body of knowledge will be needed to take those projects and processes to the next level.
In Habakkuk 2:2, the prophetic was instructed to "write the vision" and then "to make it plain." In other words, he put the prophetic message on paper, and then, as a son, he gave Habakkuk the authority to put in words those he was assigned to could understand. We must remember, the Lord is a LORD OF UNDERSTANDING... and wants us to be able to grasp the messages he conveys.
Sometimes, people go too far with the prophetic. We are living in a time of UNVEILING THE MYSTERIES not compounding the confusion.
As a potential teacher, you will face this struggle among prophetic scribes overall - not just in the writing realm.
Our prophetic writing projects are rarely okay "as is." Whether its a proofreader we need or a re-write. There are exceptions, for example, when it comes to releasing personal prophesies, writing letters, etc. But overall, anything that will be distributed widely should have extra care/skill.