The Dangers of Unregulated Prophetic Utterances in Political Contexts: The case of Rev. Owusu-Bempah

The declaration by Rev. Isaac Owusu-Bempah regarding the winner of the 2024 Ghanaian presidential elections, ahead of the actual voting, is deeply troubling. Such prophetic utterances, mainly concerning political outcomes, carry significant consequences. They can disrupt the political process, inflame public emotions, and create division, especially in highly charged environments like national elections. When prophets claim divine insight into political outcomes, they usurp the legitimate authority of institutions like the Electoral Commission and endanger social and political stability.

In this article, I aim to examine the dangerous implications of unregulated prophetic utterances from biblical, theological, and political perspectives. By tracing the history of such utterances in the church, analyzing the theological concerns around prophecy, and exploring the political consequences, I will show how unchecked prophetic declarations—such as Rev. Owusu Bempah's—can lead to confusion, disillusionment, and even violence.

From a biblical standpoint, prophecy is a legitimate spiritual gift intended to edify, exhort, and comfort the church (1 Corinthians 14:3). However, the New Testament warns against false prophets and their dangers to the Christian community. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, urged believers to "test all things" and "hold fast to what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This call for discernment applies especially to prophetic utterances, where testing the message against the broader revelation of Scripture is vital to avoid deception.

Jesus warned about false prophets in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching His disciples to recognize them "by their fruits" (Matthew 7:15-20). True prophecy is consistent with the character and message of God, leading people to righteousness rather than confusion or disarray. Furthermore, in the early church, as seen in the Didache, there were specific instructions to test prophets based on their moral character and whether their message aligned with the teachings of Christ.

Prophetic utterances, particularly those related to political matters, must be scrutinized with this biblical lens. Declaring the outcome of an election before votes are cast not only bypasses the processes established by legitimate authorities but also risks sowing distrust in these very institutions. In Ghana, where elections are conducted through transparent voting procedures, such declarations can undermine the credibility of democratic processes, causing instability and fueling division.

Prophecy is not a tool for personal or political gain, nor should it be weaponized to sway public opinion in favor of particular individuals or parties. Throughout church history, the misuse of prophecy has led to significant schisms and crises of faith. One prominent example is the Montanist movement of the second century, where Montanus and his followers claimed new revelations from the Holy Spirit, prophesying the world's imminent end. This movement caused immense confusion, leading some Christians to withdraw from society and others to question the integrity of the church. Eventually, the Montanists were condemned, but the damage was done: they had led many believers astray through their unregulated prophetic utterances.

The danger lies in treating prophecy as an infallible guide to future events, especially in political contexts. The Bible makes clear that prophecy, though a gift of the Holy Spirit, must be subjected to scrutiny (1 Corinthians 14:29). When prophetic utterances are left unchecked, they can become a source of pride, allowing individuals to claim divine authority over matters they are not divinely mandated to control.

Rev. Owusu Bempah's declaration regarding the 2024 elections illustrates this theological concern. By predicting the election outcome ahead of time, he assumes a level of authority that belongs solely to the electoral commission.

His utterance elevates him above democratic institutions and stokes the dangerous notion that political power is divinely assigned through prophets rather than through the collective decision of the electorate. This conflation of prophecy with political authority distorts the purpose of the prophetic office, turning it into a tool for political manipulation rather than spiritual edification.

The political ramifications of unregulated prophetic utterances are stark and dangerous. Throughout history, prophecy has often been misused to influence political outcomes, resulting in violence and instability. A clear example is the Anabaptist movement during the Reformation, particularly the Münster Rebellion, where self-proclaimed prophets led their followers into violent revolution under the claim that they were establishing God's kingdom on earth. The result was a bloody siege, mass casualties, and the eventual execution of the prophetic leaders. This rebellion exemplifies the dangers of untested prophetic claims intertwined with political ambition.

In the modern era, prophetic utterances have also shaped political events with similarly troubling consequences. In the United States, the 2020 presidential election saw numerous prophets predicting Donald Trump's victory, claiming divine revelation. When these prophecies did not materialize, many prophetic figures doubled down, refusing to admit their error. This refusal contributed to widespread confusion and exacerbated political tensions, culminating in the January 6th storming of the U.S. Capitol. The events illustrated the power of unchecked prophecy to incite violence and undermine democratic processes.

Similarly, where religious leaders hold significant sway over public opinion in Ghana, prophetic declarations about political outcomes can dangerously heighten tensions. In the aftermath of the 2020 Ghanaian elections, some prophets made contradictory predictions, leading to disappointment and disillusionment among their followers. The fallout from these failed prophecies undermined trust in the democratic process and contributed to political unrest.

If unchecked, Rev. Owusu Bempah's declaration could have similar consequences. By proclaiming the election outcome before the votes are cast, he risks inciting unrest among those who do not agree with or benefit from his prediction. Should the electoral result differ from his prophecy, it could lead to disillusionment, especially among his followers, potentially causing them to reject the outcome as illegitimate. This undermines the authority of the Electoral Commission and erodes the democratic foundation of Ghana's political system.

The historical and contemporary examples of unregulated prophecy highlight the urgent need for accountability within the prophetic ministry or the Christian community. While freedom of speech and religion are essential rights, they must be exercised responsibly, especially in contexts where prophetic utterances can influence political outcomes. Prophetic figures must recognize the weight of their words and be held accountable to their religious communities and the broader public.

Church leaders and governing bodies must create mechanisms to test and evaluate prophetic claims in line with biblical principles. As Paul instructed the early church, prophecies must be weighed and tested (1 Corinthians 14:29). This is a matter of theological integrity and public responsibility, as unchecked prophecies can lead to confusion, division, and violence. Political prophecies, in particular, should be cautiously approached, and church leaders must be wary of allowing their prophetic ministries to become entangled with political power struggles. Rev. Owusu Bempah's declaration of the 2024 presidential election winner before the election illustrates the dangers of unregulated prophetic utterances in political contexts. Biblically, prophecy is a gift to edify and exhort the church, but it must be scrutinized.

Theologically, misusing prophecy for political purposes distorts the prophetic office and elevates prophets above legitimate political institutions. Politically, such unregulated utterances can incite unrest, undermine trust in democratic processes, and lead to violence.

There is a pressing need for accountability and discernment in the prophetic ministry to avoid these consequences. As history has shown, unchecked prophecy can devastate the church and society, especially when intertwined with political outcomes. Church leaders, prophetic figures, and their followers must heed the biblical call to "test all things" and ensure their prophecies align with divine truth and public responsibility.