{"id":4836,"date":"2025-09-29T09:57:30","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T16:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/?p=4836"},"modified":"2025-09-29T10:28:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T17:28:46","slug":"refuting-subjective-revelations-a-biblical-critique-of-5-ways-to-know-a-revelation-is-from-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novus2.com\/righteouscause\/2025\/09\/29\/refuting-subjective-revelations-a-biblical-critique-of-5-ways-to-know-a-revelation-is-from-god\/","title":{"rendered":"Refuting Subjective Revelations: A Biblical Critique of “5 Ways to Know a Revelation is From God”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\r\n
\r\n \"\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\n

This article is from Beliefnet.com:<\/p>\n

\n[Click here<\/span>] to read the full transcript<\/span><\/strong> of the Beliefnet.com article [Click again to close<\/span>]<\/strong><\/span><\/summary>\n
\n

5 Ways to Know a Revelation is From God<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you really want to hear the voice of God, <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

you have to be ready to listen.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing God\u2019s voice is something that we all desire. One of the biggest misconceptions is that hearing God\u2019s voice is difficult. The truth is God wants you to hear His voice. He doesn\u2019t speak to us through psychics or mediums. Hearing the voice of God is as natural as a best friend talking to you. This isn\u2019t just on special occasions either. We can hear His voice every day, even in the little moments. If you really want to hear the voice of God, you have to be ready to listen. Before you can receive revelation from God, it\u2019s important to figure out what specifically you\u2019re looking to hear and why you want to hear it. This may seem like a silly question, but motives are important in everything we do. The Bible tells us, \u201cFor the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart\u201d (Hebrews 4:12). If you want to hear the voice of God and learn what He is trying to reveal to you, it\u2019s possible you\u2019re hearing Him already, for He may be giving you the longing to hear Him. Usually, certain things will begin to stick out you that you didn\u2019t even know you were searching for. Here are five ways to know a revelation is from God.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Scripture Begins to Jump Out at You<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Bible declares, \u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God\u201d (John 1:1). The Bible also says, \u201cAll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness\u201d (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is not just a book written by men, it is God\u2019s living, breathing and active Word. The evidence of archaeology, history, fulfilled prophecy and personal testimony over thousands of years overwhelmingly points to the fact that the Bible is God\u2019s Word.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The more and more you read the Bible, the more things will begin to jump out at you. This is a sign that the Holy Spirit is at work, trying to communicate God\u2019s message to you. There are an infinite number of things that the Holy Spirit can communicate to you so you can handle any problem that may be coming your way. Over time, God’s voice will become even clearer to you and you will have an even greater ability to discern it.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

God Will Speak Through Dreams and Visions<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re wondering if God speaks to us through dreams and visions, the answer is yes. The Bible tells us, \u201cAnd it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions\u201d (Joel 2:28). God actively speaks to us through them and these can have scriptural meaning. God uses these messages to reveal His purpose for your life. Pay attention to what He is telling you. He may be speaking to you right now and you don\u2019t even know it. Sometimes our dreams challenge us about things in our heart that we leave unattended. During our dreams, God bypasses any walls we have surrounding our hearts that can make us dull of hearing. We then have the listening to hear what the Spirit is saying. When we understand what God is saying to us, we can communicate with Him in a new way and also live in His purpose.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You Will Begin to Hear His Voice Through Prayer<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to talk and present our requests to God, but it\u2019s a lot harder to listen to what God is telling us. Truly listening to God is an art that requires training and discipline. It\u2019s very difficult to hear God\u2019s voice when we are listening to every other voice besides His. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we can train our ears to recognize the voice of God above all the noise. \u201cBut solid food belongs to those who are full of age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil\u201d (Hebrews 5:14). When we practice, by reason of use, we are able to discern whether what we hear is of God, our flesh, or the Enemy. It\u2019s important that we hear the Holy Spirit and recognize the ways He is speaking and working through us. Jesus said, \u201cHe who has ears [to hear], let him be listening and let him consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing\u201d (Matthew 13:9). Prayer is so important as it can really open us up to hearing what God is trying to say to us. When we pray, we learn how to listen better. Pray that God will give you a hearing heart to listen and to obey.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You Receive Answers You Didn\u2019t Know You Needed<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, when we reach out to God, He gives us the answers to questions we didn\u2019t even know we were asking. God always provides according to His purpose for us. Let\u2019s take our reading or listening of the Bible for example. How often have you read the Bible and a particular verse, or set of verses just jumped out at you? You weren\u2019t sure why, but it just felt like those verses were speaking to you. They were. When these moments happen, ask God what He is trying to tell you through these verses. Some people make it a practice of reading through scripture and asking at the end of each reading which verses stood out most to them. If you\u2019re in tune with the reading, but nothing is standing out to you, maybe those particular verses aren\u2019t speaking to you and that\u2019s ok. Don\u2019t think of the Bible as a story book. Think of the Bible as your guide to handling your everyday.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

God Will Begin to Adjust Your Listening<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When God is trying to reveal something to you, He will begin to adjust your listening. If you\u2019re having a difficult time discerning God\u2019s voice, you may not really be listening the way you think you are. Sometimes, when we\u2019re going through trials or rushing through prayer, we find ourselves so far from Him that we can\u2019t hear Him. We tune God out because we don\u2019t like the answers He\u2019s giving us. Other times, we simply tell ourselves that we can\u2019t hear His voice because the enemy has pulled us to a place where we are not only doubting ourselves, but also doubting God. Be aware of the enemy\u2019s advances. First Peter 5:8 tells us \u201cBe sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour\u201d. The enemy is active, and always looking to pull you down in your moments of strength and weakness. It\u2019s important in these moments of separation from God that you listen to God\u2019s voice and not get distracted by the enemy\u2019s voice.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We aren\u2019t always open to hearing God\u2019s voice because of where we physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally are in that very moment. Most of the time, we close our ears and don\u2019t take the time to feel the Holy Spirit tugging at our hearts. While God can speak to us when we set aside time for prayer and meditation, He also speaks to us sometimes when it\u2019s inconvenient, like the times when you can barely hear yourself think. But we must be prepared. Sometimes we aren\u2019t open to receiving what God is saying in that very moment but sometimes during those moments, God is trying to reveal something big to us. If you want to know if a revelation is from God, just ask Him. Pray to God and call on the Holy Spirit to lead you to revelation. The Holy Spirit will help you discern if it is God who is communicating to you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Author: <\/span><\/span><\/span>Lesli White<\/em>\u00a0is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council.\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/details>\n

In an age where information abounds and Christian-themed literature floods bookshelves and digital platforms, believers must exercise discernment in selecting their reading materials. Not every publication bearing a Christian label aligns with the truth of Scripture, and even well-intentioned works can lead astray if they prioritize subjective experience over biblical authority<\/strong><\/span>. The apostle Paul warned of false teachings that appeal to itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4),1<\/a><\/sup>For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.<\/span> underscoring the need for vigilance. As stewards of God\u2019s truth, Christians are called to test all things against the unchanging standard of His Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21),2<\/a><\/sup>but test everything; hold fast what is good.<\/span> ensuring that what they consume edifies their faith rather than distorts it. This caution is not mere skepticism but a biblical imperative to guard the heart and mind in pursuit of godliness.<\/p>\n

The document in question, titled “5 Ways to Know a Revelation is From God,”<\/strong><\/span> presents an earnest but deeply flawed guide to discerning divine communication. While its author seeks to encourage believers in pursuing intimacy with God\u2014a noble goal\u2014the piece veers into dangerous territory<\/strong><\/span> by promoting a highly subjective, experiential model of revelation that undermines the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. In this article, I will systematically refute the majority of its claims, drawing on biblical exegesis, historical theology, and apologetic principles. My contention is not that God is silent today but that His primary mode of speaking is through the inspired, inerrant Word of God, as affirmed in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.3<\/a><\/sup>All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.<\/span> Any purported “revelation”<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>must be rigorously tested against this standard, lest we fall prey to self-deception, cultural influences, or even demonic counterfeits.<\/p>\n

The document opens with a sweeping assertion: hearing God’s voice is “as natural as a best friend talking to you”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> and occurs “every day, even in the little moments.”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> This anthropomorphic portrayal reduces the transcendent Creator to a casual conversationalist, ignoring the profound otherness of God described in Scripture. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>The Bible does not depict God as chattering incessantly about mundane matters; rather, His revelations in both Testaments are purposeful, often covenantal, and mediated through prophets, apostles, or the incarnate Word Himself. To suggest otherwise fosters a consumerist spirituality where believers expect personalized whispers, akin to modern self-help mysticism rather than historic Christian orthodoxy.<\/strong><\/span> Furthermore, the claim that God avoids speaking through “psychics or mediums”<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>is biblically sound (Deuteronomy 18:10-124<\/a><\/sup>There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.<\/span>). Still, the document ironically replaces these with unmediated personal intuitions, which are equally unreliable without scriptural anchors.<\/p>\n

A core premise of the document is the importance of motives in seeking revelation, citing Hebrews 4:125<\/a><\/sup>For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.<\/span> as evidence that God’s Word judges our hearts. While motives indeed matter\u2014James 4:36<\/a><\/sup>You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.<\/span> warns against asking amiss due to selfish desires\u2014this is twisted to imply that a sincere longing guarantees authentic hearing. The Bible, however, teaches that even sincere hearts can be deceived (Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”<\/em><\/span><\/strong>). Historical examples abound: from the Montanist movement in the second century, which elevated personal prophecies above apostolic teaching, to modern charismatic excesses where “words from God”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> have led to doctrinal errors and personal harm. I would argue that true revelation aligns with the closed canon of Scripture, not subjective longings.<\/strong><\/span> The document’s suggestion that God might already be speaking through our desires overlooks the need for communal discernment and theological guardrails, as emphasized in 1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Moving to the first “way”<\/strong><\/em><\/span>\u2014Scripture beginning to “jump out at you”<\/strong><\/em><\/span>\u2014the document rightly affirms the Bible’s divine inspiration (John 1:1;7<\/a><\/sup>In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<\/span> 2 Timothy 3:168<\/a><\/sup>All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,<\/span>) and the Holy Spirit’s role in illumination. However, it oversteps by portraying this as direct, revelatory communication for “any problem that may be coming your way.”<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>This reduces the Bible to a fortune-telling device, ignoring its primary purpose: to reveal God’s redemptive plan through Christ (Luke 24:279<\/a><\/sup>And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.<\/span>). The Spirit’s illumination (John 16:13-1510<\/a><\/sup>When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.<\/span>) guides believers into truth already revealed, not new revelations. Verses “jumping out”<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>can be psychological phenomena\u2014confirmation bias\u2014rather than divine intervention. For instance, a stressed individual might fixate on Philippians 4:6-711<\/a><\/sup>do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.<\/span> about anxiety, but this is an application, not a fresh revelation. The document’s appeal to archaeology and prophecy as evidence for the Bible’s authority is commendable, yet it undermines this by implying Scripture needs supplementation through personal epiphanies. Biblical scholar F.F. Bruce aptly noted that the canon is sufficient; extra-biblical “jumps”<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>risk eisegesis, reading our desires into the text rather than deriving meaning from it.<\/p>\n

The second point, that God speaks through dreams and visions (citing Joel 2:2812<\/a><\/sup>And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.<\/span>), is perhaps the most biblically tenuous in a post-apostolic age. While dreams feature in Scripture\u2014Joseph’s in Genesis, Peter’s vision in Acts\u2014they were confirmatory signs during foundational eras of revelation.<\/strong> <\/span>Hebrews 1:1-2 contrasts this: “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.”<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>The canon closes this prophetic era; dreams today must be subordinate to Scripture. The document claims dreams “bypass any walls we have surrounding our hearts,”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> suggesting a direct pipeline to the subconscious. This echoes Jungian psychology more than theology, ignoring warnings like Deuteronomy 13:1-3,13<\/a><\/sup>If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, \u2018Let us go after other gods,\u2019 which you have not known, \u2018and let us serve them,\u2019 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.<\/span> where even fulfilled dreams can deceive if they lead away from God’s Word. Church history reveals countless heresies born from visionary claims, from Gnosticism to modern cults.<\/strong><\/span> I urge caution: if a dream aligns with Scripture, it’s redundant; if it doesn’t, it’s false. The document’s encouragement to “pay attention”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> without rigorous testing invites spiritual na\u00efvet\u00e9.<\/p>\n

On the third way\u2014hearing God’s voice through prayer\u2014the document emphasizes listening over speaking, citing Hebrews 5:1414<\/a><\/sup>But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.<\/span> and Matthew 13:9.15<\/a><\/sup>He who has ears, let him hear.<\/span> Prayer is indeed dialogical (Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God”<\/strong><\/span><\/em>), but the Bible models it as supplication, confession, and adoration, with God’s responses often coming through providential circumstances or scriptural recall, not audible voices. The claim that we can “train our ears”<\/em><\/strong><\/span> to discern God’s voice amid noise implies a skill-based mysticism, akin to Eastern meditation practices. In contrast, New Testament prayer focuses on alignment with God’s will as revealed in Christ (1 John 5:1416<\/a><\/sup>And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.<\/span>). The document’s call to “pray that God will give you a hearing heart”<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>is circular; true discernment comes from immersion in Scripture, not subjective exercises. Historical theologians like John Calvin warned against “enthusiasts”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> who prioritize inner voices over the external Word, labeling it “fanaticism.”<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The fourth point, receiving answers “you didn\u2019t know you needed,”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> reframes serendipitous insights as divine revelations. While providence is real (Romans 8:2817<\/a><\/sup>And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.<\/span>), attributing every standout verse or intuition to God risks idolatry of experience. The document advises asking God what verses mean when they “jump out,”<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>but this bypasses hermeneutical principles: context, genre, and original intent. For example, misapplying a promise to Israel as personal prophecy is a common error.<\/strong><\/span> Thinking of the Bible as a “guide to handling your everyday”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> diminishes its cosmic scope\u2014salvation history\u2014turning it into a self-help manual. In apologetics, we point to 2 Peter 1:3: God has granted “all things that pertain to life and godliness”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> through knowledge of Christ, via Scripture.<\/p>\n

Finally, the fifth way\u2014God adjusting our listening\u2014posits that trials or distractions hinder hearing, citing 1 Peter 5:8.18<\/a><\/sup>Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<\/span> While spiritual warfare is biblical (Ephesians 6:1219<\/a><\/sup>For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.<\/span>), the solution isn’t heightened sensitivity but renewed minds through the Word (Romans 12:220<\/a><\/sup>Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.<\/span>). The document warns against the enemy’s voice but offers no concrete tests beyond prayer, leaving believers vulnerable. It concludes by advising to “just ask Him”<\/strong><\/em><\/span> if a revelation is from God, invoking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This is insufficient; 1 Thessalonians 5:2121<\/a><\/sup>but test everything; hold fast what is good.<\/span> commands testing everything, holding fast to the good. I would like to emphasize the Berean model (Acts 17:1122<\/a><\/sup>Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.<\/span>): examining claims against Scripture daily.<\/p>\n

To summarize the refutation in key biblical principles:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 Sufficiency of Scripture:<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>All needed revelation is in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-1723<\/a><\/sup>All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.<\/span>); extra claims must conform or be rejected.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Cessation of Prophetic Gifts:<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>Normative revelations ceased with the apostles (Jude 3: “the faith once for all delivered”<\/strong><\/em><\/span>).<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dangers of Subjectivism:<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>Experiences can deceive (2 Corinthians 11:1424<\/a><\/sup>And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.<\/span>); test by fruit, doctrine, and community (Matthew 7:15-2025<\/a><\/sup>Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.<\/span>).<\/p>\n

\u2022 True Discernment:<\/strong><\/em><\/span> Through study, prayer in submission to the Word, and wise counsel (Proverbs 11:1426<\/a><\/sup>Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.<\/span>).<\/p>\n

In conclusion, while the document’s intent to foster intimacy with God is admirable, its promotion of subjective revelations erodes biblical authority, inviting confusion and error.<\/strong> <\/span>As believers, we hear God most clearly in His Son, as mediated by Scripture. Let us return to the ancient paths, where true revelation endures unchanging. This critique calls for a reformation in how we approach divine communication\u2014grounded not in feelings, but in the unchanging Word.<\/p>\n

What is Beliefnet<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cBeliefnet.com\u201d<\/strong> <\/span>is not<\/em> generally considered a \u201cfundamental traditional Christian\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span> publication in the sense used by most Christian theologians. Here\u2019s a breakdown of what Beliefnet is \u2014 and how it differs from what people usually mean by \u201cfundamental\/traditional Christian\u201d media \u2014 to clarify the distinction. If you like, I can also explain what \u201cfundamental traditional Christian publication\u201d tends to mean, so it\u2019s easier to compare.<\/p>\n

\n