Recently I posted a blog titled Spirit Led Boots and was surprised when I received a comment saying that I had ‘whacked theology’.
So…This blog is a question for you because after four weeks of pondering I am still neck deep in musings, reflections and examples without any solid scripture to concrete my beliefs.
I approved the comment as I believe we can all learn something from one another and also that it is only though our discussion that out convictions are solidified.
I then asked a further question as to why my theology comes across as being ‘whacked’.
The reply came back that a Spirit led life from a biblical perspective (and his personal valid view) should be the ‘Holy Spirit in our hearts (2 Cor. 1:22) bearing witness, (Rom. 8:16), helping us pray (Rom. 8:26) and convicting us of sin (John 16:8).’
Therefore it would be assumed that God would not or could not speak to me about boots or other trivial matter as I can’t back it up scripturaly?
This is not a debate, I just genuinely would love to hear what you believe and why you believe this.
Does God speak to you? If so how does He speak, what does He speak about and can you back it up in scriptire?
So, if you have a moment, please go back and read the post, read the comments and if you can add your own.
Hope to hear from you
Carly xx
I’ll step out and comment first to get the discussion started.
Firstly I do believe that God speaks to us today about many things. I think at times we don’t invite Him to participate or have an opinion sometimes… If we have faith to believe that He will respond I believe that He can.
I have asked many questions, big ones with dilligent seeking and had no answer and also minor questions with little seeking and have had a clear answer.
Over time I have learned to discern His voice though the Word as I read, but then through people, situations and His personal words to me.
Over time I believe I have heard God as it always feels similar- I remember what He said and feel it though all my senses (I remember where I was, how I felt, what I was looking at etc)….and generally there is a shift or a confidence that comes as a result of His words.
Mostly for me it comes like a thought, like an idea except as above I recognise it differently.
This conversation has made me realise how much church culture and my own church upbringing has shaped my convictions of God, how He speaks and what He would speak to us about. It has been normal for me to think that God speaks. Prayer has always been described to me as a conversation.
I realise now that this is not everyone’s belief. That for some God may still answer prayer by acting and hear us when we pray but He is more distant, still loving but not engaged conversationally.
And as far as scriptures like I said in the post I can’t think of specifics which is why I need help. James 4:8 talks about closeness but not speaking, the best seems to be John 10:27 ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.’
But still that was in context…..
That’s enough rambling for me. I would like to hear what you think.
Meant to put that comment on this blogpost.
He once spoke through a donkey (Numbers 22:28). Why then, can’t He speak through anyone at anytime or in any way He wants to?
My experience says, God is interested in me. Every area of my life. His Spirit resides deep within me and speaks to me. I’m so grateful.
Psalm 73: 23-24 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Hi Carly a great question. I’m not a biblical scholar by any means, I do recall that the Bilbe tells us that God spoke directly with Adam, He spoke directly with Moses, He spoke directly with Joshua, He spoke directly with Jacob. He spoke through angels to Mary and Joseph, also through prophets and ordinary people. The bible also tells us that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow which in my theology tells me He is still speaking today in, through and to us,He wants a relationship with us. How can you have a relationship with anyone with communication? The real question then becomes, are we listening?
Beautifully said Alex.
I don’t think it’s a matter of asking IF God speaks to us, but HOW God speaks to us.
In arguing with the Sadducees about the resurrection Christ claims “have you not read what was said to you by God” in reference to his Old Testament citation (Matthew 22:31). Would that not point to the reality that God speaks to us through his word and is not the word of God Christ? (John 1) To claim that the Almighty God speaks to you is to claim that what he has said is on par with his written word, whom Christ IS the word and thus your extra revelation outside of scripture would be on par with scripture.
Hebrews 1:1-2 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
It was Christ himself who said to his disciples/apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit as he ‘will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.’ (John 14:26) Thus if today, we have the New Testament canon, to which accounts the finished work of Christ. What more needs to be added to his finished work? As Paul says in 1 Cor 4:6-7, “I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers,1 that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may ube puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? vWhat do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
Unfortunately the bible warns us against our own heart and experience (Jer 17:9, Prv 28:26), to the degree that if AN ANGEL should appear (mind you would be an experience out of this world!) with another gospel they should be under Gods curse (Gal 1:8). And if that’s not convincing enough, the fact that Peter, even though he was eye witness to the voice of God thundering from the heavens, says the prophetic word is more sure! (2 Peter 1:18-19)
I don’t deny that God spoke through a donkey, that God spoke to Moses and the Patriarchs, yet when we read these stories in context can we really just simply apply them to us today without careful study into the context and covenants to which they were spoken? I pray that you would weigh up the beautifully finished and orchestrated work of Christ to which the Old Testament points forward to and the New Testament points us back to. I also pray that you would find rest in the reality that he has given us his Spirit to guide us into ALL truth (John 16:13-16).
Thanks so much Dave, I value your opinion, experience, devotion and conviction. You have opened my mind to how others experience God and for that I am grateful.
For this one though we will have to agree to disagree.
I would never hold my personal words from God up with the weight of scripture. The Bible is where God speaks to me most. Over the years I have learned to discern His voice in other areas of my life that do not necessarily have a clear cut answer from the Bible. Usually He speaks to me about the small decisions where there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ outlined in scripture. Anything from song list choice on a Sunday, to parenting and even shopping: my everyday ordinary life.
My current personal conviction as to God speaking concludes with the scriptures:
‘For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God’ Rom 8:14
‘Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I (Jesus) go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.’ John 7:7
‘I (Jesus) still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. John 17:12-14
And over the years as I have weighed up what I have felt the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart I have always ensured it does not go against scripture and also seen that His words have brought with them the fruit of the Spirit feelings of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)
Often I have not wanted to hear what He has said but the fruit speaks for itself and over time I can look back and know at the core of my being that the Holy Spirit speaks if we are open to listening.
Perhaps you will be open to hearing what He has to say to you one day?
Again thanks for promoting such a thought provoking discussion. I will be forever grateful and my convictions have been solidified.
kind regards, Carly
Thanks Carly,
Unfortunately I see nowhere in the scriptures you’ve shared, especially within their context, that God speaks outside of His word. Perhaps it’s not myself you need to agree to disagree with, but the Bible?
I don’t deny that the spirit guides us into all truth. But Christ is the truth and the truth is His word! He guides us in the word. You say you have learned to ‘discern His voice in other areas of my life that do not necessarily have a clear cut answer from the Bible.’ The scriptures you’ve used no doubt point to the reality of the Spirits role in guiding the believer, however they nowhere show that God wants to ‘speak’ to you about what colour and type of boots to buy etc. You say ‘I have felt the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart I have always ensured it does not go against scripture’, but it appears the whole premise of God speaking to you is anything but based on scripture.
I pray you would weigh up the biblical evidence and search the scriptures for the truth.
Thanks Dave
God speaks to us personally, no doubt. Why else do 10 people read the same scripture, or hear the same sermon, and yet they all feel that God “spoke” something different to each of them about their life? We need revelation by the Holy Spirit to understand God and scripture. The scriptures alone, without the Holy Spirit speaking to us, leaves us no better than Pharisees – obeying the letter of the law but not the Spirit. So keep listening.
Love this! How very true. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us 🙂