If you've been in Christian circles long enough you will inevitably hear the following statements: God spoke to me; God told me; I heard God say... These statements normally send a chill down my spine and not in a good way. Most of the time these Christians are just using a turn of phrase. To them it really means that the Holy Spirit may have convicted them of something through the Word or perhaps in hindsight they note God's hand in a decision they have made. But some Christians actually think that they have heard the audible voice of God. Therefore, they believe that they have received personal revelation.
This personal revelation is especially being seen in the emergent church but it is spilling over into the mainstream evangelical church. The main reasons I have a problem with personal revelation are as follows:
1) Satan has the capability of posing as an angel of light. In other words, he is a counterfeiter. The voice that you hear could be that deceiver or one of his demons. (2Cor 11:14)
2) The canon of the Bible is closed. Therefore any revelation you are receiving should be included in the Bible. Yet the Bible includes a curse for those who would add or take away from the Biblical canon. (Rev 22:18,19)
3) Scripture is sufficient and the final word of authority for any Christian. It alone is our infallible rule of practice and faith. (2Tim. 3:16,17)
It has also been shown in times past that personal revelation has led to numerous cults or sects including Mormonism (personal revelation of Joseph Smith) and Seventh Day Adventism (the visions of Ellen White). If someone claims to have heard from God, it is hard for many to dispute their claims. Who can argue with the words of God? Many televangelists use this in order to reel in vast amounts of cash from undiscerning people.
I can't stress enough that Scripture is sufficient for us. God gave us His Words already, we should be reading them instead of waiting for some extra-Biblical experience.
waiting for another post! :)
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