Biblical Principles Concerning Ethics and Protocols Relating to New Testament Prophetic Ministry Originally compiled by John Paul Jackson and Marc Dupont Editing team: John Paul Jackson, Marc Dupont, Loren Sandford, John Sandford, James W. Goll and Bobby Connor The Preamble Within the contemporary church the term, "prophetic ministry," can mean a great many things. Therefore we have attempted to outline a brief description of biblically based values and practices for New Testament proph...

What does EH believe about emotions?       ---Emotions should be listened to and validated before going on to "fix" people's problems. If we don't do this, people will feel invalidated, like we are fixing them instead of their problem.  It can even feel like we are telling them their feelings are wrong (even if this is not our intention).  In order to validate emotions, active listening is essential.  Listen carefully to my words; let this be the...

"Why should I forgive? Why should I be responsible for what a molester did to me?" We at Elijah House would not want our call to forgive to inadvertently add to the shame that some have carried. Having been molested as a child myself, I know from experience that molesters blame their victims for what they do. So it is understandable that some would ask this question. Children tend to feel responsible. Even if a molester does not verbally blame a child, the very fact that he did not restrain...

Is a Generational Curse Still a Viable Concept, in light of Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 18? Can Christians inherit generational curses? Some would say no. As evidence, they cite Ezekiel 18:2-3 (NIV): What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: "The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?" "As surely as I live," declares the Sovereign Lord, "you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel." Similar wording is found in Jer. 31:29, in the ...

Many years ago while Kathie and I were working as missionaries in Japan, we begin to question why our ministry and the ministry of many others (who were way more anointed and qualified) were not more fruitful. God brought to our attention that there was much competition and jealousy among the different churches and missionaries in Japan (we struggled with our own set of problems as well). In prayer I begin to question God about the root of our divisiveness and strife. I felt the Lord speaking to...

  Can another's unforgiveness keep us bound (in light of John 20:22b, 23: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.)?Word for word, the Greek of John 20:23 literally reads, Of whomever you forgive sins, they have been forgiven to them; of whomever you hold, they have been held.  Does this mean that when someone refuses to forgive us, their unforgiveness continues to "hold" us on some level?After ver...

Is it correct to say that our bitter root expectations can "defile" others? Does John Sandford and Elijah House believe our expectations can override another's free will? [in answer to a video school student's questions]: Student's first question: Would you please give me some synonyms for "defile" as the ministry uses the term? That might answer or clarify the following question for me. Can we defile others by our bitter root expectancies if they do not have a sin in their hearts, suc...

Is it really allowable to "forgive" God? Many have objected to this on the basis that God has done nothing that needs forgiving.  We agree that God has done nothing wrong!  If that is what is implied by "forgiving God," we must never speak of it!  However, that is not what Elijah House means by "forgiving God."  What we do mean is not directly addressed in scripture, either pro or con.  In cases where scripture does not speak directly, the question to ask is whet...

Should we use the term, "inner child?"     Perhaps we should refine our understanding of the term.  For the difficulty in some persons' minds is that they think we are talking about a separate part of us called the "inner child."  That is, that there is a child part and an adult part in us in a way that is vaguely similar to DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder, which used to be called "Multiple Personality Disorder").          In scrip...

Why do we put so much emphasis on the fifth commandment ("Honor your father and mother")? [in answer to a video school student's questions]:     "Honor your father and mother" is at the end of the first of Moses' two tablets (among commandments regarding our relationship with God), and introduces the second tablet (commandments regarding our relationships with other people).  It has often been noted that this is because honoring parents affects our relationship with Go...

Does Elijah House believe masturbation is a sin? Some have misperceived that John Sandford condones masturbation. A discussion about the subject was originally found in Transformation of the Inner man on pages 288-290. There, John linked masturbation to idolatry, said it was an issue about which we need forgiveness, and suggested a prayer we can pray in order to put an end to it. Most readers understood that to mean that John believes masturbation is a sin. However, some readers found the conte...

Can a Christian be physically afflicted by demons, even when there is no sinful point of access? [a response to a question that came up at a prophetic school]     According to Lk. 10:17,18 (emphasis mine):  The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."  Jesus replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from the heaven.  I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of th...

Can a Christian have a demon?      Most persons who object to this idea do so based on the fact that since we are Christ's possession, we cannot possibly be "possessed" by a demon.  Our answer is that the phrase, "demon possessed" is never found in the Greek of the New Testament.  The Greek actually uses the verbiage, "to be in" a demon, "to have" a demon, or to be "demonized" (Gk.: daimonidzomai).  Wherever English translations of the Bible say "demon p...

Discerning it's strategies to bring down the prophetic movement "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many." Matthew 24:11 (NASB) As the year began, I was startled at my computer by an evil presence. Simultaneously, at the other end of the building, Heather, "saw" the same entity as a giant entering the land. I perceived that it wants to entice prophetic people (both prophets and persons with the gift but not the office) to proclaim false words. It was ssearching out vulnerabil...

An Update on the Vision-Aborting Spirit In our last newsletter, I wrote about a principality which afflicts leaders, especially intercessors and prophetic people. A principality dubbed the "vision-aborting spirit" tempts us to regard ourselves as incapable, unqualified or unworthy to minister. It urges us to imagine that others feel that way about us, too, so we will be too ashamed to reach out for help. Some have become convinved that their very fruitful ministries accomplish little. Some ...

Danger on the path to unity in Christ; Exposing two high-level strongholds resisting the Church "Watch our for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod" Mark 8:17 (NASB)As I walked into a computer store near Elijah House, I was sure some of the employees were Christians. It was great to meet a talented young fellow who knew about our ministry! When I asked where he attended church, he said he was burned out on church. He had been a worship leader on a church staff, but because of ...

Nowadays, spiritual warfare is heavier than it has ever been. In recent years, a particular principality has been especially on the attack. I have talked with countless weary intercessors and other ministers of the gospel. None have clearly understood the nature of the attack. Confusion besets many. For that reason, I write, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes (2Cor. 2:11). Last February, as my plane climbed into the skies on the way to Germany, I reco...

 In our last newsletter, I wrote about a principality which afflicts leaders, especially intercessors and prophetic people. A principality dubbed the "vision-aborting spirit" tempts us to regard ourselves as incapable, unqualified or unworthy to minister. It urges us to imagine that others feel that way about us, too, so we will be too ashamed to reach out for help. Some have become convinced that their very fruitful ministries accomplish little. Some have wanted to quit. Others have...