Have you ever noticed that when you get a prophetic word, it gets you really excited for a moment but days later, it seems to be forgotten? It happens more often than not. Part of the reason for the forgotten word is impatience. When people do not see a word come forth immediately, they tend to lose interest. Even so, some receive a word and hold it for years, believing for it to come forth.
One way to faithfully wait for a word to be birthed is to write it out. You must wage war for your destiny. After testing the spirit behind the word, pray over it regularly. Then write scriptures around it that line up with God's word. Share the word with someone who loves you and you can trust and ask them to help you remember the promises of God for your destiny and encourage you to walk them out. The Apostle Paul did this for his spiritual son, Timothy. Paul wrote him saying, This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, - 1Ti 1:18 NKJV
Apostle Paul encouraged young Timothy to wage war according to the words he had received. These prophecies provided Timothy with direction for his ministry and gave him the motivation to continue to serve faithfully. These prophetic words imparted his destiny into him and released it into the atmosphere. Prophetic words are spoken through the Holy Spirit who speaks on behalf of God. (Jn 16:13)
How many times have you received words from the Lord only to dismiss them? How often do you activate your faith to engage with the words over your life? For a prophetic word to come to pass one must first believe in the word released. One must embrace the word and allow it to germinate in their soul, making the person pliable in the Father's hand.
If someone told you that you were going to win the lottery and all you had to do was buy a ticket, would you? Of course, you would spend the dollar, go to the nearest store, and buy the ticket. Then you would believe you were the winner or at least hope for it and would wait for the numbers to be drawn.
Why is it then when God releases a word over a person's destiny that they do not contend for it? When I say contend for the word spoken over you, what I mean is that you must take the actions required to meet God where He wants to bring you.
To contend for something means to argue, struggle, contest, or vie for something meaningful to you. By doing this, you speak against anything the enemy would say to you to keep you from your destiny.
Wrestle the Demonic Warriors that Lie to You
There was a man named Naaman who was the commander of the army of the king of Syria, and he was greatly honored, considered a man of valor, but he had leprosy. It was suggested to him that he go to the king of Israel to be healed so he went. The prophet Elisha heard that the king of Israel was upset about Naaman’s desire for him to heal him so Elisha said, “Send him to me.”
The story continues. Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” 11 But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’ 12 Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 2 Ki 5:9-14
There were at least two demonic voices that tried to convince Naaman to not listen to the prophet, pride, and anger. Naaman had first to swallow his pride, then believe the steps he needed to take would work and that he would be healed. Notice Naaman didn’t have to go and just put his toe in the water, but he had to go into the water and fully submerge himself in what he considered dirty water. He had to do it seven times, nonetheless! The outcome was Naaman becoming a believer in the one and only true God of the Jews.
The young Jewish girl that suggested her master go to the king of Israel was actually giving a prophetic word, a word of knowledge and wisdom. When she said go, and you will be healed, it was a direct order from God. Had Naaman remained in his pride and anger, he would not have been healed.
Give Yourself Entirely to God's Will
Paul also told Timothy, 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 1Tim 4:14-15
The laying on of hands and impartation of gifts and callings are biblical procedures. They release faith and exhort another to do the work of the ministry. But they cannot stop there. The release of the prophetic words is the beginning of a person’s destiny. One must wage war for the words to come forth.
Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Jesus comes to give life and more abundantly (Jn 10:10). The abundant life Jesus gives must be fought for at times. Obviously, life is full of tribulations and trials, just as Jesus said it would be.
The Apostle goes on in his second letter to remind Timothy again to stir up the gift that is in him. We see again, the gift was imparted through the laying on of hands. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2Tim 1:6
To stir up means to reactivate, fan a flame, or rekindle. The word gift is the same word used in Romans, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Rom 12:6
It was common practice for Paul to lay hands on people and prophecy their destiny as well as impart gifts to them. It should be common practice for those in a leadership role such as pastor, apostle, or prophet to do so today. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established; Rom 1:11
When we speak a calling or gift over a person’s life, it is spoken through the Holy Spirit and as God wills. We should never say something for the sake of saying it but we do so as God desires.
So, how do we contend for God’s promises when they do not look like they are ever going to come forth? It begins with faith. 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ... 6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. - Heb 11:1, 6 NKJV
If we don’t have faith, then there is no reason to ask God for anything. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 [he is] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. - Jas 1:6-8 NKJV
So, we start with faith and war for our destiny by taking our thoughts captive, holding them hostage to the faith we have put in the word of God. When the devil puts something in our thoughts that go against God’s thoughts of good and prosperity, we must command him to flee and address the thoughts with God’s word.
Your flesh will want to quit, act out in unbelief, or speak against what God has planned for you because your flesh is prone to complaining. You cannot do that or you will find yourself cursing your own destiny.