How To Read Scripture, Part 8

There is no doubt that some might resist this description because they believe that it falls into the mystical arena. Throughout Old and New Testament history, we read about people who audibly heard from God. I believe that with the 66 books comprising the canon of Scripture we no longer need visions, dreams, or personal appearances by the Lord to give us direction. However, we must be careful not to force Scripture to say what it doesn’t say. Those who vehemently oppose hearing from God use logic rather than clear Scripture to support their argument. Let me share some guidelines about personal revelation:
· The Lord generally speaks to His people through His written Word.
· Any experience outside the Word must never contradict the Word.
· Hearing from the Lord is not a mystical experience but the living Word relating to the life of a believer.

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Since the Word is spiritually and we as believers are spiritually alive, then two living things of the same kind can communicate. Most people who do not believe the Lord can speak to them today will often give evidence contrary to what they verbalize. Here is an example. Several years ago, one of my favorite Bible teachers was conducting a seminar. In the midst of his teaching, he defended his staunch position that the only revelation we have is the Scripture. Following his lecture, someone asked how the speaker felt called into the ministry. Without hesitation, he told us of a car accident he was involved in during high school. He said, “This was my Jonah experience.” He went on to tell us that he had been running from God and the Lord used the accident to call him into the ministry. Though he didn’t realize it, this countered everything he had just said regarding the silence of God outside of Scripture. Perhaps he learned firsthand what the psalmist said, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71). Another common example can occur with career choices. Those who deny the Lord can speak in any way other than God’s Word will often ask for prayer about a possible job change. “Please ask the Lord to reveal to me if my family and I should move to California and take this job.” How will it be made clear if we can only go by Scripture?

Much of what we believe comes out of a defense against the pendulum swing--if we allow for God to speak outside of Scripture, then we open the door for all types of heresy. Should fear of what might happen affect how we interpret Scripture? The Bible itself gives us permission to learn of God outside of His Word. If this sounds heretical, consider the following: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2). This verse tells us that we can learn of God through natural revelation. Job tells us to go to the fish of the sea and the beasts of the field and learn of God (Job 12:7-9). What about answered prayer? Is this not God speaking? Who could ever deny the promptings of God’s spirit (Romans 8:16)? Proverbs 6:23 tells us that one of our instructors are the reproofs of life. I’m not trying to put all this on the same level of divine revelation because divine revelation is universal, whereas promptings, circumstances, and the reproofs of life are personal. Hebrews 12 is an example of God’s dealing with His children in discipline. Most believers have felt this discipline and recognize it as from the hand of God. I simply want to point out that the most ardent defenders against hearing from God outside the words of Scripture will often use such terms as, “the Lord answered my prayer,” or “I could feel the Lord pulling at my heart,” or “I felt the Holy Spirit convicting me,” or “the Lord put you on my heart today.” These are all mystical expressions at best, but ones that are very dear to every believer. That's the way I see things.