Decree: an official order issued by a legal authority.
synonyms: order, edict, command, commandment, mandate, proclamation, dictum, fiat;
law, bylaw, statute, act.

Yesterday I saw a short message that said essentially, that all your words of prophecy will hit the mark this month. These words were spoken through someone who addressed themselves as an “apostle.”

“PROPHETIC RELEASE! The Prophet of God comes to show you where to shoot your arrow. This year shoot your arrow in the direction the Prophet tells you because I prophesy and decree that 2016 you will not miss your mark. You will hit the bulls-eye. Get ready for the divine release.”

Immediately I sensed something eschew in my spirit, because I know that not “everyone” who speaks a word of prophecy hits the mark. Some of those arrows will fall to the ground for various reasons, and yet others will hit the bull’s eye. Why is that you may ask? It’s because of the spirit of the person who is prophesying. Some may have mixed the words of God with their own. Some others may be speaking for monetary gain, and still others may be living in outright sin.

So when someone “decrees” that ALL who speak for the Lord during a particular month, season, or whatever, is something that I am not in agreement with. Some teachers and ministers, use the word “decree” very loosely. The word certainly comes with authority for those who would speak it, but again, it is oftentimes spoken loosely and without understanding.

Who is the audience for that this decree would be given? Is it simply thrown over an entire group of people like a blanket, assuming that ALL under that blanket, will then follow the instructions given in that decree? Is it spoken for an entire church or congregation, being unaware of those who are living in sin, or are not at a level of maturity to allow the seeds of that word to become effective?

A more appropriate phrase might be to speak to only those the Lord would anoint to speak to. Be careful of the phrases that we use dear people. Remember that “My people suffer for lack of knowledge.”

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children,” Hosea 4:6.

Just because something that is spoken “sounds good,” doesn’t mean that it is necessarily true. “Not all that glitters is gold.”

The decrees of God are His eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His will, whereby, for His own glory, he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass. Then again I would ask, are the words that we are speaking through a decree, according to the counsel of His will, or are they simply spoken through a phrase that we are speaking under presumption?
There are phrases and scriptures that one would recognize as a decree:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being,” Revelation 4:11.

“God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” Numbers 23:19.

“I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee,” Psalms 2:7.

Know your audience when you are prophesying, decrees, speaking, proclaiming, and preaching to. Don’t simply lump everyone together and assume that your message is intended for everyone.

~ Stephen Hanson

Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the Lord is a special way in 1975 and has been prophesying regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are to be reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?