The Joy of Knowing God's Word: Knowing the Truth of Scripture (Part 2)
There is a need to explain hearing God's voice! There are books that are in the Christian marketplace that promote hearing God's voice within a person's human spirit as if that is the basis of many evangelicals source of authority by which they judge spiritual "truth." It is "unfortunate" that many within the professing church today explicitly deny the authority and inspiration of the Bible. (2 Tim. 3:15, 16) When it comes to the authority of scripture ("what we believe") and inspiration of the Bible ("scripture inspired by God) is the capstone by which it must be the foundation of the Church's teaching. Whenever the Church "substitute" God's Word in favor of what is mystical theology are in fact cross over the threshold of theological mysticism. The apostle Paul fought against mysticism in the church during his day. (Col. 2:18, 19) Therefore, for the truly elect are going to be the recipients of hearing the truth of God's Word. (Jn. 18:37) Whenever the Church read that of the scripture is that God is speaking. It is our responsibility to find out what God's Word says by doing the difficult task of studying God's Word. (2 Tim. 2:15) There are so many lazy Christians who do not want to study God's Word, but, they believe that in order to them understand the Bible is to rely upon what is within their spirit so as to receive such Revelation Knowledge. The God of the Bible gives illumination; not inspiration nor revelation. Scripture is complete without any additional revelation nor revelation of the spirit. (2 Pet. 1:20)
Throughout this article, I will begin to give such clarity and understanding of (1) What does it mean for the truly elect to hear God's voice? (Jn. 18:37) And (2) the discrepancies of Christian terminologies that have been misunderstood by many evangelicals today. And, therefore (3) The necessity of illustrating the "truly" saved in hearing God's voice. And (4) "how" to avoid the pitfall of hearing such "inward" voice within a person's human spirit.
First, what does it mean for the truly elect in hearing God's voice? When we talk about the truly elect is those whom God has saved by His election of grace; not professing Christian teachers who claim to be the select "few" by which the God of the Bible gives such "spiritual" revelation. In order for the "truly" saved to hear God's voice is to hear the truth of God's Word. By the "truly" saved hearing God's voice is what is revealed already in scripture. We talk about the "sufficiency" of scripture that pertains to life and godliness. Everything that the church needs to know is what is revealed in scripture. It is the responsibility of the church to read what God's Word says by which it is God's voice. God's voice is His Word. Everything that God is saying in scripture is God speaking. It is also the church respond to study by knowing what God is saying in scripture. The God of the Bible doesn't speak through the Bible, but, that the Bible is the very Word of God. Every scripture is "inspired" by God by which the Holy Spirit (God) is the Author of scripture. When it comes to the character of the Bible as the apostle Paul says, it is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness" that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16). Through that of the scripture that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 3:15). The "truly" saved are the recipients of hearing the truth of God's Word. Anything that goes contrary to the truth of God's Word is to be rejected. The purpose of the "anointing" of the Holy Spirit indwelling in the lives of God's people is to discern truth from error. The Holy Spirit is that of our Divine Teacher by which the Spirit leads believers into all truth. (1 Jn. 2:27; [Jn. 14:26]) The "anointing" of the Holy Spirit is similar to a "smoke" detector: that it alerts believers concerning false teachers who will deny that of the Incarnate Christ revealed in human flesh. (1 Jn. 2:18-22)
Whenever you hear of professing Christian teachers who claim such "anointed" message as to come "directly" from God, or that there are a "few" who are in the God-class of men as to be especially chosen by God is a tailgate sign that they are not chosen by God's election of grace. (Jn. 6:38, 44) Many professing believers reject the truth of God's Word by which they are carried about with every wind of doctrine. (Eph. 4:14) The "truly" saved are going to be the recipients of hearing the truth of God's Word whereby they do not hear the voice of strangers. (Ezek. 37)
Secondly, within contemporary evangelicalism, there is much misunderstanding concerning that of Christian biblical terminologies. (2 Pet. 3:16, 17) What do we mean by Christian biblical terminology? For example when it comes to the doctrine of Faith is that it is God-centered; not egocentric. In so many words faith must be towards God ("outward"); not faith in one's own faith ("inward"). The Christian's faith toward God is objective; the Faith Christian "faith" in his or her own faith is subjective. The "carcinogenic" faith of many Faith believers is that "faith is a force" by which words are the container of the force by which the Faith Christian can create their own world. Many Word of Faith teachers has made a craft in distorting biblical "words" to fit within the cultural contours of Faith theology. Faith is not a force nor are words the container of the force by which the Faith Christian can speak their world into existence. The most powerful arsenal of cult evangelism is its "redefinition" of biblical terminology so as to create such a semantic jungle by which it also "boggle" the minds of many Christians today as well as the "unsuspecting" of believers. (2 Cor. 11:3) In order to strip the cultist of it most powerful arsenal is to insist that they define biblical terms according to the standard definition of the Bible. (Ac. 17:11)
How have many "Christian" mystics in the professing church today distort such biblical terminology as to the words "waits," and "listens?" Many contemporary evangelicals today interpret such terms as "waits," and "listens" in anticipating hearing God's still small voice within a person's human spirit. As many of their followers "meditate" upon scripture or God's Word they can clearly hear God's voice, but they must position themselves in order to hear the voice of God. The "source" of authority by which many "Christian" mystics claim to hear God speaks to them "directly" is solely based upon such epistemology and experience. The "epistemology" is that of the "Christian" mystics "special" knowledge or "gnosis" is contrary to Sense Rule knowledge. The system of Gnosticism makes a sharp distinction between the "spiritual" and not-so-spiritual. Many Gnostics claim to be the spiritually "mature" as opposed to the "ordinary" of believers who are spiritually "immature." In so many words many "Christian" mystics are the "chosen" or "enlightened" ones as to the "immature" or "unenlightened" of "ordinary" folks in many traditional churches today. The charge the "institutional" church or organized religion as to possess the "letter of the law" by which they claim t have to "Word and the spirit." In turn, the table on the heads of "Christian" mystics in the professing church today is that the Church possess such "true" spiritual knowledge, but, such Christian "knowist" or know-it-all possess such fleshly knowledge. (Col. 1:9, 10 in contrast Col. 2:18, 19)
Even though I have given a clear explanation of what it means to hear God's voice by anticipating on hearing God's voice is that the words "waits" and "listens" is that in all factual reality that the "truly" saved are the recipients of hearing the truth of God's Word; not professing believers who long to "wait" in hearing God's still "small" voice within their spirit. (Jn. 18:37; 2 Pet. 1:20)
Also, to give such an illustration of hearing God's voice is somewhat similar is the bride attends to what the bridegroom says. In order for the Church to listen to the truth of God's Word is to pay attentive to the very words of scripture by which God through the Holy Spirit gives believers understanding of what God's Word says. It is both intellectual, volitional, and instructional when it comes to hearing what God's Word says. God's voice is His Word. Everything that is disclosed in scripture is what God intends for the Church to know in regards to what we ought to believe and "how" we ought to live our lives. As we begin to read God's Word is that God is speaking, but, has already spoken. There is nothing else that the Church needs to know that what is already revealed in holy scripture. (2 Tim. 3:15, 16) God's Word must become the Church's source of authority; not anything that is outside the boundaries of scripture. Whenever the Church "substitute" that of the veracity of scripture in place of such spiritual "revelation" have in fact deny that of the authority and inspiration of the Bible. For a church, doctrine, council, or papacy add or take away from the written Word of God is to envision God's divine judgment. (2 Pet. 2:1; Rev. 22:18-19)
Thirdly, the necessity of illustrating the "truly" saved hearing God's voice is similar to attendees who attend that of a wedding ceremony. Whenever a marriage ceremony takes place is that the attendees attend that of the wedding festival. The attendees are familiar with both the bride and the bridegroom. If in fact, someone would attempt to speak on behalf of bridegroom the Bride of Christ who has been elected by God's election of grace would not follow the voice of a stranger that would, in fact, lead them astray. The "truly" saved will listen attentively to the truth of God's Word. We as the church have the sure word of prophecy by which we must take heed to the truth of scripture. But, there are false spiritual leaders who claim to hear God's still small voice so as to give "a word" to the church; not speaking what "thus saith the Lord." The truth of God's Word is consistent with that of the character of God: that is the Holy Spirit is Divine Truth. (Jn. 14:26) The Holy Spirit is not going to contradict Himself. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is Divine Truth. Also, the nature of the Holy Spirit is to teach and lead believers into all truth. Whenever the Church placed so much emphasis on the "power" of the Spirit without Christ being the center of its message goes contrary to the truth of God's Word. Also, the false teaching of Gnostics within the professing church today is to claim that in order for people to have a "personal" relationship with God is for God to personally speak to them "directly" through such an audible voice. The clarity of hearing such a "audible" is within a person's human spirit. People must "recognize" their identity with "Christ" by which it is the belief of Gnosticism: that of having a "personal" relationship with God. (Col. 2:18) Salvation is in the Person of Jesus Christ; not through such "personal" prophecies nor revelation of the spirit. (Jn. 3:36; 2 Pet. 1:20)
Fourthly, in order for the Church to avoid the "pitfall" of claiming to hear God's voice within their spirit is to test the validity of their knowledge and experience. (Col. 2:18) There is a vast difference between the "truly" saved in paying attentively
Whenever the Church "substitute" God's Word in favor of mysticism have in fact explicitly deny the authority and inspiration of the Bible. (1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 22:18-19)
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? He is also the Host, "Ask Darryl" Podcast Show that is aired weekly throughout metro Atlanta and beyond. As an apologist, pastor, senior research/editor, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside Atlanta, Georgia with their puppy "Little Baby."
Secondly, within contemporary evangelicalism, there is much misunderstanding concerning that of Christian biblical terminologies. (2 Pet. 3:16, 17) What do we mean by Christian biblical terminology? For example when it comes to the doctrine of Faith is that it is God-centered; not egocentric. In so many words faith must be towards God ("outward"); not faith in one's own faith ("inward"). The Christian's faith toward God is objective; the Faith Christian "faith" in his or her own faith is subjective. The "carcinogenic" faith of many Faith believers is that "faith is a force" by which words are the container of the force by which the Faith Christian can create their own world. Many Word of Faith teachers has made a craft in distorting biblical "words" to fit within the cultural contours of Faith theology. Faith is not a force nor are words the container of the force by which the Faith Christian can speak their world into existence. The most powerful arsenal of cult evangelism is its "redefinition" of biblical terminology so as to create such a semantic jungle by which it also "boggle" the minds of many Christians today as well as the "unsuspecting" of believers. (2 Cor. 11:3) In order to strip the cultist of it most powerful arsenal is to insist that they define biblical terms according to the standard definition of the Bible. (Ac. 17:11)
How have many "Christian" mystics in the professing church today distort such biblical terminology as to the words "waits," and "listens?" Many contemporary evangelicals today interpret such terms as "waits," and "listens" in anticipating hearing God's still small voice within a person's human spirit. As many of their followers "meditate" upon scripture or God's Word they can clearly hear God's voice, but they must position themselves in order to hear the voice of God. The "source" of authority by which many "Christian" mystics claim to hear God speaks to them "directly" is solely based upon such epistemology and experience. The "epistemology" is that of the "Christian" mystics "special" knowledge or "gnosis" is contrary to Sense Rule knowledge. The system of Gnosticism makes a sharp distinction between the "spiritual" and not-so-spiritual. Many Gnostics claim to be the spiritually "mature" as opposed to the "ordinary" of believers who are spiritually "immature." In so many words many "Christian" mystics are the "chosen" or "enlightened" ones as to the "immature" or "unenlightened" of "ordinary" folks in many traditional churches today. The charge the "institutional" church or organized religion as to possess the "letter of the law" by which they claim t have to "Word and the spirit." In turn, the table on the heads of "Christian" mystics in the professing church today is that the Church possess such "true" spiritual knowledge, but, such Christian "knowist" or know-it-all possess such fleshly knowledge. (Col. 1:9, 10 in contrast Col. 2:18, 19)
Even though I have given a clear explanation of what it means to hear God's voice by anticipating on hearing God's voice is that the words "waits" and "listens" is that in all factual reality that the "truly" saved are the recipients of hearing the truth of God's Word; not professing believers who long to "wait" in hearing God's still "small" voice within their spirit. (Jn. 18:37; 2 Pet. 1:20)
Also, to give such an illustration of hearing God's voice is somewhat similar is the bride attends to what the bridegroom says. In order for the Church to listen to the truth of God's Word is to pay attentive to the very words of scripture by which God through the Holy Spirit gives believers understanding of what God's Word says. It is both intellectual, volitional, and instructional when it comes to hearing what God's Word says. God's voice is His Word. Everything that is disclosed in scripture is what God intends for the Church to know in regards to what we ought to believe and "how" we ought to live our lives. As we begin to read God's Word is that God is speaking, but, has already spoken. There is nothing else that the Church needs to know that what is already revealed in holy scripture. (2 Tim. 3:15, 16) God's Word must become the Church's source of authority; not anything that is outside the boundaries of scripture. Whenever the Church "substitute" that of the veracity of scripture in place of such spiritual "revelation" have in fact deny that of the authority and inspiration of the Bible. For a church, doctrine, council, or papacy add or take away from the written Word of God is to envision God's divine judgment. (2 Pet. 2:1; Rev. 22:18-19)
Thirdly, the necessity of illustrating the "truly" saved hearing God's voice is similar to attendees who attend that of a wedding ceremony. Whenever a marriage ceremony takes place is that the attendees attend that of the wedding festival. The attendees are familiar with both the bride and the bridegroom. If in fact, someone would attempt to speak on behalf of bridegroom the Bride of Christ who has been elected by God's election of grace would not follow the voice of a stranger that would, in fact, lead them astray. The "truly" saved will listen attentively to the truth of God's Word. We as the church have the sure word of prophecy by which we must take heed to the truth of scripture. But, there are false spiritual leaders who claim to hear God's still small voice so as to give "a word" to the church; not speaking what "thus saith the Lord." The truth of God's Word is consistent with that of the character of God: that is the Holy Spirit is Divine Truth. (Jn. 14:26) The Holy Spirit is not going to contradict Himself. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is Divine Truth. Also, the nature of the Holy Spirit is to teach and lead believers into all truth. Whenever the Church placed so much emphasis on the "power" of the Spirit without Christ being the center of its message goes contrary to the truth of God's Word. Also, the false teaching of Gnostics within the professing church today is to claim that in order for people to have a "personal" relationship with God is for God to personally speak to them "directly" through such an audible voice. The clarity of hearing such a "audible" is within a person's human spirit. People must "recognize" their identity with "Christ" by which it is the belief of Gnosticism: that of having a "personal" relationship with God. (Col. 2:18) Salvation is in the Person of Jesus Christ; not through such "personal" prophecies nor revelation of the spirit. (Jn. 3:36; 2 Pet. 1:20)
Fourthly, in order for the Church to avoid the "pitfall" of claiming to hear God's voice within their spirit is to test the validity of their knowledge and experience. (Col. 2:18) There is a vast difference between the "truly" saved in paying attentively
Whenever the Church "substitute" God's Word in favor of mysticism have in fact explicitly deny the authority and inspiration of the Bible. (1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 22:18-19)
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? He is also the Host, "Ask Darryl" Podcast Show that is aired weekly throughout metro Atlanta and beyond. As an apologist, pastor, senior research/editor, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside Atlanta, Georgia with their puppy "Little Baby."
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