Weighing Prophetic Insight for business and the marketplace

Prophetic insight and business strategy often feels uncharted, a path for the brave-hearted who see beyond the natural and dare to venture into the spiritual. As Christian business leaders, we live in a realm where what God says has authority not only over our personal lives but, indeed, over our enterprises. The question is, how do we wisely weigh prophetic insight in our business dealings? If we are not careful, what is intended to be a blessing can become a stumbling block; if discerned correctly, however, it can be a catalyst to purpose and prosperity.

It is paramount to develop a sensitivity to God’s voice. In business, we often hear countless voices: advisors, stakeholders, clients, and even competitors. But the prophetic voice, the whisper of the Holy Spirit, requires quieting all other voices. RT Kendall reminds us that knowing God’s voice is not necessarily about the spectacular; it’s about the stillness of the soul, the deep awareness of God’s presence, and the humility to recognize that His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8).

In business, this sensitivity means cultivating a daily rhythm of prayer, meditation, and immersion in Scripture. A prophetic word or insight should never stand alone but must be in harmony with the principles and character of God as revealed in His Word. We are called to weigh the prophetic with the utmost seriousness, not as an accessory to our business ambitions but as the compass aligning us to God’s ultimate purpose.

Discerning the prophetic requires wisdom, as not every word we receive comes from God. The Apostle John exhorts us to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1), to measure them against the knowledge and character of God. In business, this means we evaluate prophetic insight by its fruits and the alignment it has with God’s principles. Does the insight encourage humility, integrity, and service? Or does it lead us toward pride, self-reliance, and greed? True prophetic insight will always guide us toward the attributes of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

This might mean assessing whether a prophetic word has substance beyond the immediate gratification or gain it seems to offer. Consider Joseph in the Bible. His dreams were prophetic, but they were not a license to shortcut his journey. Joseph endured trials and challenges, often questioning the fulfilment of the vision. Likewise, prophetic insight in business is rarely an invitation to easy success but rather a call to walk through a refining process that equips us for greater service.

RT Kendall emphasizes the importance of wise counsel as a check on our understanding and interpretation of God’s leading. Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety." A prophetic word held in isolation can become a source of confusion or even misdirection. However, when we share it with others who understand both the Spirit and the business world, they can help us see what we may have overlooked.

In business, wise counsel may come from fellow believers in the marketplace or mentors who understand the complexities of both faith and commerce. They serve as a sounding board, helping us to discern if the prophetic insight we received aligns with sound business principles. Even the Apostle Paul valued the confirmation of others (Acts 15). He did not walk his path alone, and neither should we.

Timing is crucial in the realm of prophetic insight. There are many in business who receive a genuine word from the Lord but fail to wait on His timing. Abraham and Sarah received a prophetic promise of a child, but they rushed ahead, birthing Ishmael instead of waiting for Isaac. Similarly, we can have a sense of God’s plan for our business but may act prematurely, leading to unnecessary complications. RT Kendall wisely notes that "God’s delays are not God’s denials." When God speaks a word over our business, He may speak of a future season rather than the present moment.

In business, timing can be the difference between success and failure. We must learn the discipline of waiting for God’s green light. Just as an investor waits for the right conditions before making a move, we too must be patient, trusting that God knows the best time for the manifestation of His promises. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength."

Weighing prophetic insight in business is ultimately about stewardship. God entrusts us not just with profits but with His purposes. He desires that our businesses reflect His kingdom values, and the prophetic can guide us on this path. Yet we must approach it with humility, discernment, and patience, ever mindful that God’s ultimate desire is to shape us into His likeness through every success and challenge.

In the end, prophetic insight in business is not a shortcut but an invitation to a deeper walk with God. It is a call to steward the gifts and words we receive with integrity and to place His purposes above our own. May we, like Joseph, navigate this path with wisdom and faithfulness, honouring God in every decision and waiting expectantly for His promises to come to fruition in His perfect time.