Head Pastor of Living Streams International Church, Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Markwei, has outlined five critical benchmarks Christians should use to evaluate prophetic ministry and avoid falling victim to false prophets and misleading prophecies.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Point of View, Rev. Markwei presented what he described as the “Five Ms” — key pillars believers must examine carefully.
1. Money: Christians should observe how money features in a prophet’s ministry. Rev. Markwei cautioned against ministries where every prophetic act is tied to financial demands. He noted that when spiritual direction consistently revolves around payments, offerings, or monetary exchanges, it raises serious concerns about integrity and intent.
2. Motive: He urged believers to examine the intention behind prophetic declarations. Prophecy, he noted, should not be used to manipulate people, seek personal glory, or exploit vulnerable individuals. He emphasised that the underlying motive must be to edify and guide, not to control or impress.
3. Message: According to him, any genuine prophecy must align with scripture and sound doctrine. The message should reflect biblical truth and point believers toward Christ rather than toward the personality of the prophet. He stressed that true spiritual depth produces humility, not arrogance.
4. Morals: Rev. Markwei reiterated that character matters as much as charisma. He pointed out that a prophet’s personal conduct must reflect godly values. According to him, if there is a disconnect between public gifting and private lifestyle, it undermines credibility and weakens the authenticity of the ministry.
“The bible says dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell. That means dead flies in the character of the person makes the anointing stink in the nostrils of people because people cannot marry the charisma with the character,” he said.
5. Methods: He also warned against extra-biblical or harmful practices. Any method used in ministry, he said, must be scripturally grounded. Practices that endanger people physically, emotionally, or spiritually are clear warning signs and should not be tolerated.
Rev. Markwei further encouraged Christians to build a personal and direct relationship with Christ, cautioning against making their faith dependent on any single spiritual leader.
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