Ever have anyone tell you that they have a Word from the Lord for you? BEWARE! Usually, such words from the Lord surprisingly like personal opinion, and usually, the “word from the Lord” benefits or helps the person who shares it with you in some way.
I remember several years ago when my family was moving from one town to another, another Christian in town called up my parents and said that they had a word from the Lord for them. Apparently, God had told this person that my parents should give them their house. My mom responded wisely, I think. She said, “If God wants us to give you our house, He will let us know.” He never did.
Anyway, be careful and wary of people who have words from the Lord for you. Such “words from the Lord” may even be what God meant by “taking His name in vain.“
Jeremy, I think you are being far too cynical here. I have probably been more than you in charismatic etc circles where people have offered me words from the Lord. Now I would not disagree that many of these words have been personal opinions and wishful thinking. But the great majority of them have been from people who have genuinely wished for the best for me, wished for their encouraging words to be true. Rarely if ever have they been directly for the benefit of the person giving the word – except in the context of open appeals for money, which are a different matter. Of course it is right to be careful with all such words, especially if there might be any suspicion of a personal interest. But there should also be an openness, that God might actually be speaking to us through that person, and we should give serious consideration to whether we should take the word as good advice.
I hope your attitude is not becoming like that of John MacArthur with “Strange Fire”, writing off a whole movement as deceptive and demonic by over-generalization from some admitted abuses. I suggest you read Frank Viola’s and Adrian Warnock’s responses to MacArthur, and consider whether their criticisms of his attitude might apply to you too.
I agree with Jeremy. The truth is that there has been a false movement in Christianity, where this “thus saith The Lord” has been abused. Jesus said, “a little leaven, leavens the whole lump.”
The fact is most Christians who say: “God told me” are deceived or delusional or mistaking their own mind and thoughts for God’s voice.
A classic is Mike Murdock who told millions on air and said, “God told me, tell them about the miracle of the thousand dollar seed.”
There has also been a false movement in Christianity where the Lord is no longer allowed to “saith” anything. As with most things, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
As one who has attended a week-long prophetic school, who loves the true prophetic gift, sadly I have to say my experience has been that most of the time it was charismatic fortunetelling in action (Derek Prince’s term). And I fully agree with Jeremy’s caution about taking the Lord’s name in vain in this way.
It would seem that my comment was not received in the spirit in which I meant it. I do not disagree with Jeremy’s point, and while my personal experience has been more in line with what Peter Kirk describes, I am aware that there is much abuse in this area, especially in certain circles. Jeremy’s warning about taking the Lord’s name in vain is certainly warranted.
My concern was mostly with Dustin’s comments, specifically with the unsupportable sweeping assertions that were being made (“most Christians who say… are deceived or delusional or mistak[en]”, “usually people who say God told them things are egotistical”). I don’t believe that Dustin has the ability to demonstrate either claim statistically. Rather, the statements seem to be based on a selection of negative personal experiences, which one would generally expect to provide a very narrow and imperfect perspective on the matter as a whole. I was simply trying to make an appeal for balance.
Apologies Tony if I was not clear. I also simply meant to add in support that I do believe in the prophetic gift for our generations too, but the abuse is clouding the whole issue. Maybe I should add that the fact we see so much negativity against Christianity is in no small way due to the widespread misrepresentation and philosophising of the Scriptures far above what was written and what was understood by the original recipients. If the institutional “church” at large would start to rightly divide the Word of Truth, we would probably find a different attitude among people. My specific reference to Jeremy’s statement about taking the Lord’s name in vain flowed from the average view of people that this refers solely to using the word “God” in ungodly contexts.
Peter,
I am definitely not siding with MacArthur on this. I just see so much “Thus saith the Lord” abuse.
If people want to instruct and encourage, fine. But why do they need to tack on “Thus saith the Lord” or “the Lord told me to tell you”? If it is true that God said it, then it doesn’t need to be said because the words themselves are instructive or encouraging enough, and can stand or fall on their own merit (or lack of merit). But if it is not true that God said it, then saying He did is akin to taking the Lord’s name in vain.
We spent time for a season with two groups who believed they received these words from the Lord. I have no way of knowing the source of what they said, but observed that some of their words were very general, containing nothing previously unknown, and most others (usually predicting future events) never came to pass. Does anyone know the origins of this phenomenon (or whatever the proper term for “A word from the Lord”)?
No, I don’t know it, but would love to learn it too. I think some of it stems from a psychological need people have to know that God cares for them. One way they can know this is if he gives them a special, personalized message.
Good post. Usually people who say God told
them things are egotistical. Or it gives them that little bit of added authority to their words.
I had an experience of a different side of this issue, which I think would add to this conversation. We attended a church for several years that would occasionally invite guest speakers who were itinerant prophets. (I won’t comment on whether they were genuine prophets or not… that is not my point.) Interestingly, the church leadership would only receive words from these prophets which brought them some emotional benefit. If one of the prophets ever spoke any word of correction, they were subsequently labeled a “false prophet” and never invited back. I am aware of multiple instances when the pastors and the leadership were given private corrections or warnings to change by these prophets, which they then used to publicly decry the prophet which the church had originally been told was invited “because we have investigated this man/woman’s ministry and feel they have a genuine anointing from God.”
It would seem to me that self-interest can motivate the hearer just as easily as the speaker.
It is true that self-interest can motivate the hearer. I do not deny that for a second.
Thanks for sharing what happened in that church. I know I do not have the final word on this issue…
I used to find someone claiming “God spoke to me” quite intimidating. A friend of ours was always saying it. In this context “Me” and “I” are signals to reckon them by their fruits. Conversely, it seems to me that the Lord will sometimes speak from some one – believer/unbeliever – any time.
The Kingdom context is in the meeting with the ministry of the Holy Spirit. As new believers my wife and I heard tongues interpreted or a prophesy spoken and we heard from God. Not only were we blessed by the unusual thing that was happening but we grew in the Lord as a result.
However, “the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets” (thus says the Lord!!! 1 Corinthians 14’32). That highlights the normal submissive disposition of “submitting to one another in the fear of God” that should be characteristic with all ministry.
Ron,
Yes, I do try to keep open to what God is saying through other people, and often, He has said something very clearly to me. But in my experience (which may be different for others, for sure!) is that these times have rarely (if ever) been from someone who wanted to share a word with me.
I have found that when we speak as if we know what we are talking about, regarding Christian faith in any regard at all, we are in effect saying “thus saith the Lord”. If we say or write that a Bible verse means one thing and it actually does not, or we tell someone something about reality and God’s will yet it is not true, then we have stepped over to a line that is dangerous to cross. Prophets were not just those who told the future, indeed their purpose was to declare the word of God just as often about their present time.
We do not have to say the literal words, nor does it have to be only about some “insight” or prophecy. Jesus tells us that He spoke only what the Father says, did what the Father was doing. As members of His Body, this is the image we are being conformed into. This is our mission, as we live in Him and He in us.
Oh be careful little mouth what you say…
Peace to all who are still learning to joyfully submit to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. We walk by the Spirit just as we live by the Spirit, for this is our great privilege by God’s grace, in the Father’s will, by the person of Jesus, through God the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God!
Yes, Greg, I agree. Of course, my post in some ways claims to speak as I know what I am talking about regarding how God does or doesn’t speak today. That’s why posts like this are a bit dangerous.
True, Jeremy, yet I think your post avoids (not even skirts) the danger of “God spoke to me” Ron mentions in his comment. And of course, I agree with the concept that when God said not to take His Name in vain this is exactly what was the primary meaning. The same kind of abuse would be like the bragging criticized by God through Jeremiah, “Do not trust in deceptive words, and say ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord.'” Even Jesus speaks of this kind of ignorance about faith in Matt23.16ff. We must ever and always guard our “dogmatic” speech. Part of what seems obvious to me is that your comments, opinions, and writings appear to stem from devout solitude such as Henri Nouwen wrote of in “Clowning in Rome”. I’m very grateful for your efforts to build up the Body into the measure according to the humanity of our Lord (See Eph4). Peace of Christ to you and on your house.
I have been guilty in the past of throwing the baby out with the bath water so If i Might interject something here with the hope I am not duplicating what someone else might have already shared. I now very rarely discount anything that someone shares from the Lord with me. Working by the principle that everything should be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses, it would be difficult to lose our way. After the first, I usually wait and pray for the second, which I usually expect to receive in a way that is a total surprise to me. The third being hearing directly from the Lord on the issue, be it dream, revelation or that silent still voice. I once received it from a loud audible voice! This is the best way to ferret out what the original persons intentions might have been.
Tony,
That might be a good way of approaching the topic. Very balanced and careful. It neither accepts outright or rejects outright what other people say.
There are people that get words of knowledge and then their are Charletons. Charletons are loud and draw attention. The say “God told ME” not to reveal God, but to elevate themselves. God’s Word usually benefits them not the person they are telling it to. I saw one of these people once in a very small rural church. A guest revivalist from Texas. I was dumbfounded not so much by his blatant lies from the pulpit, but by how I seemed to be the only one that saw it. Well two people did try to leave but he chased them to the foyer and after several condemnations he said what I took as a threat designed to make them fear God would smite them with a horrific accident if they dared leave by saying “if you leave now you better be careful on your drive home. I would be careful. “. He scared them so badly they stayed. When I talked about the revival the next day to a friend who was also there I was shocked to find she had been taken in by him. Even defending his threat saying Jesus said similar things. WWWHHHAAATTTT??!!! So you know that’s where were at to day. Over the top Pentecostal revivals that glorify everything but God and cold legalistic traditionalists. No wonder Christianity is loosing ground.
People that really get words of knowledge from usually don’t announce it loudly. They speak it quietly often not even aware they have it till it tumbles out of their mouth. It always benefits the person they are talking to heart,mind, and spirit never them. They receive it for obedience to God, acting in love, and studying scripture. Not because they are favored by God. It’s not something they do all the time to everyone they meet. It’s not an ability they have because they are favored. i may be wrong, but I tend to think everyone can do when they are in a season where they are able to put God in the center of their heart.
Yes! Charlatans is right. Often for their own power, their own glory, and even their own income.
That story you share is shocking, and sadly, far too common.
If people spent as much time in God’s Word as they did worrying about what God “told them”, most of this confusion would disappear. God revealed Himself in His Word….focus on that.
Right! I figure that when we have mastered what God has said in Scripture, then He will tell us more…
So true. I spent years in churches where people were always saying that, and I don’t remember anything good coming from those people.
Not only the sender has responsibility in this also the receiver … We must be mature enough to filter what is of God and what is not … For some time I have clear or in part what God wants for me. .. For the same reason I have stopped asking everything and also attending those supra emotional meetings where this type of practice is confusing.
Desde Chile con amor.
I can’t believe this is even a discussion on here. Bonkers. Just bonkers. The Lord told me to tell y, all that. Lol. Jeepers. Get real folks.