How to Weigh “God Told Me”

God Has Spoken in His Son

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:1-2 (KJV)

God once spoke by dreams, visions, and prophets. Then he spoke last and fullest by his Son. The Confession says God committed his word wholly unto writing, those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased (WCF 1.1).

That written Word is enough. It makes the man of God perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3), once for all.

The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.

Westminster Confession of Faith 1.6

The Bible closes with a warning against anyone who shall add unto the words of the prophecy of this book (Revelation 22:18-19). Read fairly, it guards the book of Revelation itself. But it echoes what God said through Moses, Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you (Deuteronomy 4:2). No man may add to what God has said.

And see who that last Word is. The Son, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3). You need no fresh message to know God’s heart toward sinners. If you have never come to Christ, start with the gospel.

Prophecy, Tongues, and Miracles

Reformed churches hold that prophecy and tongues, as gifts that brought new words from God, have ceased. They belonged to the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). A foundation is laid once. The wonders of that time confirmed the apostles’ word (Hebrews 2:3-4), and Paul calls them the signs of an apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12).

Some evangelicals differ. They believe these gifts continue, and most say any prophecy today can be mistaken and must be tested by the Bible. Many of them love Christ, and this is not a line between the saved and the lost. But a word that may be wrong is not what the prophets meant by Thus saith the Lord. Call an impression an impression.

God has not stopped working. He still heals in answer to prayer (James 5:14-16), and he is free to work without, above, and against means (WCF 5.3). But an answered prayer is providence, not new revelation, and it makes no one an apostle. False prophets also shall shew signs and wonders (Mark 13:22). A wonder never proves a message.

How God Guides You Now

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). The picture is a lamp carried at night, enough for the next step, and what it pictures is real.

1. His Word. Most choices are already answered. Be honest, keep yourself pure, honor your parents, and marry only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39).
2. His providence. A man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps (Proverbs 16:9).
3. Wisdom. Where Scripture leaves you free, ask. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God (James 1:5).
4. Counsel. In the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).
5. The Spirit in the Word. The Confession says the inward illumination of the Spirit is necessary to understand what is revealed in the Word (WCF 1.6). The Spirit opens your eyes to what is written. He does not whisper what is not.

So may you say the Lord led you? Yes. Looking back on a closed door, you may thankfully say so. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:6). That confesses providence and claims no message. “I believe the Lord has led me here” is humble. “God told me, so you must accept it” claims a prophet’s authority.

Test Every Claimed Word

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 (KJV)

Moses gave Israel two tests. A prophet whose sign came true but who said, Let us go after other gods, was not to be heard (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). A word can come true and still be false. And when a word spoken in the Lord’s name did not come to pass, he had not spoken it. Thou shalt not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). The Bereans checked even Paul against the scriptures (Acts 17:11).

1. Does it contradict Scripture? Refuse it, even from an angel from heaven (Galatians 1:8).
2. Does it add to Scripture? Refuse a new doctrine, duty, or rule for others too (WCF 1.6).
3. Does it agree with Scripture? Then obey the Scripture. The claim adds nothing.
4. Did it fail? Then God did not speak it. Do not fear it.

Dreams, Impressions, and Feelings

A dream now is a dream. Jeremiah set a dream beside God’s word and asked, What is the chaff to the wheat? (Jeremiah 23:28). A strong feeling or a sense of peace may be God stirring you toward a duty he already commanded. It may also be your own wishes or fears. The heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). So these things cannot bind your conscience or anyone else’s. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and he binds it by his Word (WCF 20.2). Weigh impressions by Scripture, never Scripture by impressions.

When a Friend Says “God Told Me”

Most who say it are not false prophets. They usually mean they prayed and came away with a strong sense. Be kind. Do not mock, and do not pounce.

1. Ask what he means. “How did God tell you?” Often it was an impression in prayer.
2. Agree with what Scripture says. If he says God wants him to forgive his brother, say amen and show him the verse.
3. Point him to the surer word. Peter heard the Father’s voice on the holy mount, yet he wrote, We have also a more sure word of prophecy (2 Peter 1:16-19).
4. Leave room on lesser choices. If he says God told him to take a job, you need not argue. Encourage him to hold it as his judgment under God.

Be firmer when a word is used to control. If someone says God told him you must marry him, give him money, keep quiet about how he treats you, or obey him without question, he is laying a yoke God never laid. To require absolute and blind obedience is to destroy liberty of conscience (WCF 20.2). You may say no. Tell your elders. If a leader does this, read How to Spot a False Teacher. If someone is hurting you, read If You Are Not Safe.

This Week

1. Read Hebrews 1 and 2 Peter 1. Notice what God calls sure.
2. Take one decision in front of you. Write down what Scripture says about it, pray for wisdom, and ask a wise believer.
3. Watch your words. Instead of “God told me,” say what happened. “I prayed and have come to believe this,” or “This verse convicted me.”
4. Lay down a false burden. If a word frightens or binds you, weigh it by Scripture with an elder.
5. Rest in the Son. God’s last Word to you is Christ, and he is enough.