Thus Says the Lord, Today?

What am I supposed to think when someone claims, "God told me"? Should I believe them? Is this any different than cult leaders or false prophets? Answers to these questions have a great deal to do with how we understand God's revelation to His people when he was dual-authoring the Bible compared to today. How do we understand God breathing out his Word?

Outside of Christianity, we find the TV-type prophets, the LDS and Jehovah's Witnesses founders, and those claiming to be modern-day Apostles representing God to the entire world. These individuals often avoid appealing to Scripture for themselves because there is a greater likelihood that others will use the same Scriptures to claim the office of Prophet. Instead, they appeal to an "internal witness" that's hard to verify. It's a story about how God appeared to them. When we hear their claims, we should test them against Scripture. Is it another gospel (Galatians 1:8-9)? Do these people have a strong doctrinal fidelity to the Triune God and the true Christ (1 John 4:1-3)? Are these cliamants obeying the already-given Word (Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 18:20-22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, and Revelation 22:18-29)? Do these "teachers" demonstrate Godly fruit and character (Matthew 7:15-20)?

It's easy to discuss those outside of biblical Christianity. How should we think about those holding views within orthodox Christianity? Interpretations fall along a spectrum. On one end is the Continuationist/Charismatic. On the other end is the Cessationist. Between these poles is the Open-But-Cautious Christian. However, don't think there are only three views; when, in fact, this is a spectrum with many different ideas falling somewhere along a diverse line.

The Contiuatioist will claim that God may guide and illuminate his Word today through impressions and prophecies, but all of these words must be weighed against Scripture. The Charismatic might appeal to Acts 13:2, 20:22-23, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, and 1 Corinthians 14:29. Most who understand God speaking today who fall in this category will likely still argue that a word from God must still be submitted to the church and seek guidance from Scripture.

An Open-But-Cautious Christian might argue that the Holy Spirit prompts and guides, but never contrary to Scripture and never with apostolic authority. It's not for all Christians, and it's not equal to the Bible. Everything said to be modern words from the Lord must be humbly tested in community by other brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who hold to this view might appeal to Acts 15:28, Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:16–25, and 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22.

Finally, a Cessationist claims that the revelatory gifts (such as propheticly getting a word from God) have ceased with the Apostles. A Cessationist might argue that "God told me" might be misleading language and is imprecise. The Cessationist appeals to Hebrews 1:1-2, John 16:13, Ephesians 2:20, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, and Revelation 22:18-19.

Regardless of which camp one might be coming from, it's wise to test anything said by one claiming it's from God. Test it. Does it agree with Scripture (Isaiah 8:20, Galatians 1:8–9, and 2 Timothy 3:16–17)? Does it uphold the faithful Christ and the gospel (1 John 4:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)? Is it humbly submitted to the church for testing (Acts 15:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, and 1 Corinthians)? Does the character of the claimant match wisdom from above (Matthew 7:15–20, Galatians 5:22–23, and James 3:17)?

There's a triage process in place for determining how to deal with individuals who claim to have heard God speak to or through them.

The first category is the Wolves and manipulators. They are either outside orthodoxy or domineering inside the church. Publicly reject them, warn the flock, and bar them from teaching. If in membership and unrepentant, proceed to church discipline (Romans 16:17–18, Titus 3:10–11, 2 Peter 2, and Jude). Their track record and refusal to submit are the key points here, not a single bad guess.

The second category is the brothers or sisters who engage in sloppy "prophecy-talk." For these, correct with the doctrine. Show them that Scripture alone binds. Prophecy—if you believe it continues—is weighed and can be wrong. Call for repentance. Seek to repair any harm done. This would be another circumstance in which the person should be restricted from teaching until the matter is corrected. Regardless of which viewpoint you are coming from, teaching takes precedence over prophecy and must govern practice. Re-evaluate over time and remember that fruitfulness and humility should prevail (Matthew 7:16 and 1 Peter 5:5).

The final category is the ordinary Christians, who confuse impressions with revelation. This is a place for pastoral gentleness and care. Encourage prayer, Scripture, counsel, and prudence (Romans 12:2 and James 1:5). Teach them the difference between guidance through the Word and mystical impulses that bypass it.