Is It God or Just My Imagination?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

Live by Faith, Not by Signs

• The question posed: today's question comes from a pastor. He writes: 'We are experiencing a huge problem, with people so desperate to see the supernatural.' He cites an example of somebody that he knows: they interpret a specific number as being from God. And so, anytime they see that number, they think that it's a message from God. And this pastor notes that this stuff is getting out of hand. And he wants you to explain how it's connected to the occult. I think the question is: how do we know if something is from God?
• That's a good question. And some of the answer is going to be subjective, by the very nature of the question. But I think it raises a very important issue. We, as Pentecostal believers, we do believe in miracles. We do believe God speaks directly, through visions, dreams, signs, wonders. He interacts with us. So, therefore, we can be more prone to interpret a lot of things, which may be just natural, may just be coincidence. And we have to understand the possibility of: sometimes, there could be demonic forces at work. So we certainly need discernment. So I think, if you read the Bible as a whole, you'll get perspective: that we're supposed to live by faith, not by signs; that we live according to the Word of God, the teaching of the Word of God, not by random messages. So, if the orientation of your life is constantly seeking a sign, or constantly seeking some miraculous means of knowing God's will — whether it be going to someone who's supposed to be a prophet, or, you know, without discounting that there is real prophecy, that God sometimes uses dreams and visions — these are exceptional, by their very nature. And so, if someone is trying to go from sign to sign, or trying to live their life, or plan their life, by these supernatural means, I think they're missing the fundamental teaching of the Bible. So let's start with the basics, of how do you develop a more mature worldview, and Christian view, as this pastor has asked. So you start with: the Bible is the Word of God. So all authoritative teaching must be in the Word of God. So don't take any kind of sign, that would be anywhere contrary to the Word of God.

The Baseline: The Bible, Then Godly Leadership, Then Wisdom

• Paul states this, in dramatic fashion — Galatians 1:8-9. He says: 'Though we, or even an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel than what we preach, let it be accured.' And then he stated it again. And there is the possibility that even an angel might deceive you. We — of course, that would be a fallen angel, a demon, or the devil. But the point is: Paul is making a radical statement, that you don't compromise the truth, that's been objectively given to you, in the Word of God. So that's our baseline: is the Bible. So anything that sounds — contradicts the Bible, or doesn't match up with the Bible — we know that's not right. And I would further say, that while God works in many different ways, if we are feeling that God is speaking to us, in some direct fashion: can we find parallels in the Bible? If we can't, that makes it a little more suspect. So, the people that saw Jesus in a tortilla chip: I don't see any remote example of how that would connect to the Bible, or any purpose of advancing the kingdom of God. So I would just say: that is foolish, and gullible. If you want to make a joke of it, of what a coincidence, you can. But to take that seriously: no. I don't see any evidence, in the Bible, that God works in that fashion. Second, God has placed pastors and teachers in our lives. In fact, the five-fold ministry — Ephesians 4:11-12 — for the training of the saints. So, while they're not authoritative — that is, they're not infallible, like the Bible — they do have spiritual authority, and they're given for the very purpose of guiding us. So, in our everyday life, much more significant than some kind of sign, would be the preaching and teaching of God's Word, and godly guidance and counseling, through the local church. And so, first, I would say: does it correspond to the Bible? Second, I would say: does it correspond to the godly leadership, that the Lord has placed in your life? While they're not infallible, the point is: God has given them for this very purpose. So God is not going to undermine his own preachers and teachers and pastors, through some sign that says: rebel against them, or ignore them. Okay. Third thing I would say is: wisdom, or common sense. So you look at the book of Proverbs — but actually, all throughout Scripture, it gives various types of guidance: how do you know God's will? So it says: seek counsel; listen to your father and mother. And then Proverbs has a lot of practical guidance, of: this is wise; this is foolish; do this; don't do that. Well, if we were to live our life by signs, we wouldn't need all that. So it's obvious, the way the Bible's written and presented to us, that God expects us — he's given us a brain, so he expects us to use it. So, in the everyday events of life, we shouldn't look for shortcuts, or short circuits. But, if we're seeking God's will: we study his Word; we get guidance from godly — our pastor, and other godly leaders; we go through a process of discernment ourselves, in our daily life; look at the pros and cons of decisions; look at ins and outs; and then pray, and come to a decision. So that's how God's going to work.

Scriptures: Galatians 1:8-9; Ephesians 4:11-12; Proverbs (book-only)

How a Sign Actually Works — and the Warning

• Now, when God does intervene, with a miraculous sign, usually, in my experience, it's one of two ways. And I think this will correspond to Scripture. Sometimes God will give you some type of sign, or message, that opens your mind. You're not even thinking about certain options, but God speaks to you, in a way that you know it's God, touching you. And then, now, you start thinking in a new direction. But then, you still have to go through the process I've just mentioned: studying the Word, getting godly counsel, using the brain that God has given you, common sense, the pros and cons. God opens this new avenue of thought, but you still have to follow it. So, that's one way a sign can work. The other way a sign can work is to confirm a process, that has already been going on. So, you've already been seeking God. You've already been studying his Word. You've already been getting godly counsel. But now, it comes time to a decision, and you want clarity. You want decisiveness. You want confirmation. And God may give you a word, that it just all puts into place. Yes. But notice: in both cases, God is not eliminating the typical, normal means of hearing him, or discerning his will. But the supernatural sign works in harmony — to open up a new idea of thought, or to confirm a process, that has been going on. But to seek after signs is actually dangerous. And I do want to read from Luke 11. Jesus said, in verse 29, while the crowds were thickly gathered together, he began to say: 'This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet.' So he's talking about his upcoming death, and how Jonah, being in the great fish for three days, three nights, would be a sign that would point to Jesus, being in the tomb. But he was saying, you know, people are wondering if he's the Messiah; they're looking for this sign, that sign, that sign. He says: I'm not going to give you any of that sign. It's an evil generation, that's constantly seeking after signs. So I think we have to be very careful, not to go around seeking signs. But, if God impresses something on us, then we see: how does it fit, with what I already know — with what God has already shown me, through the Bible, through preaching and teaching, through my pastor, through other godly counsel, through my own discernment, my own use of wisdom and common sense? Or, if I haven't really done that, I need to start doing that, in this particular situation. I shouldn't just, out of the blue, take a sign — choose this to be a sign — because it's very subjective, and very susceptible to human error, or even demonic — if you continue doing this, it could even be used by the devil, to deceive you. So you have to be really careful. And also, this process of discernment, which could even involve the gifts of the Spirit: things like the word of wisdom, words of knowledge, and discerning of spirits. So we shouldn't be seeking after these things. And sometimes, we do see that God is speaking.

Scriptures: Luke 11:29

The Test: Edification, Exhortation, Comfort

• Now, one practical way: if you feel like God is impressing you with something, ask yourself: is this something that is beneficial? So, the gifts of the Spirit are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12-14, and I think they're illustrative, not exhaustive. So, there are nine gifts listed, but God could work in other ways, that aren't just precisely one of those nine. But, in 1 Corinthians 14:3, it says: all these gifts are given for edification — which is building up of the body — and it's not just the individual; but it's more focused on the church, the body of Christ: edification, exhortation, and comfort. So, if you feel God has spoken to you, in some way, or God has given you some sign: what is the purpose, and what is the effect? Is it building you up, in your faith in Jesus Christ? Is it encouraging you? Is it comforting you, in a time of struggle, or loss, or need? Well, then that's much more likely to be God. But if somebody's trying to tell you, 'Thus sayeth the Lord, you should get married to that person' — why would God short-circuit all the means I've already given you? How is this edifying, encouraging, comforting? So you look at what's going on. Or another example: I've had people ask me, 'I feel led, maybe, to go pray for this person. I don't know if it's just my flesh, or should I do this?' And so I asked: 'Well, do you think the devil would tell you, to go pray for that person?' No, I don't think so. So, it might be God. Maybe it's just your human feeling. But that's a positive thing. It's an encouraging thing. It's the kind of thing God would do. Why don't you, in an unobtrusive way, just go over and pray? See what happens. And if there's a confirmation, now you know: yeah, that was God, leading me. So, the next time you feel that, you'll have greater confidence. Okay, that's how God works, in my life. That's how God impresses me. So, through experience, you can discern how God impresses you. And a lot of times, people say, 'God told me this. God told me that.' I'm a little hesitant to say that. There are several cases, where I felt like God just gave me — I've never heard an audible voice, but I've actually felt like God gave me a statement, or sentence. But most of the time, I will say, I feel, or I think, because I realize it's subjective. So, when you feel like God is speaking to you, in some way: okay, what is the purpose? What is the effect? Is it positive? Try it out, and see. And see if God confirms it. Then, over time, you will learn how God works, in your life. But overall, I would agree with the premise of the question. We've got to be very cautious, about using these things.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Corinthians 14:3

The Bible Is Not a Fortune-Teller's Book

• Let me just close, with one illustration. Now, sometimes, this probably happened to all of us: we're praying; we're seeking the will of God; we open the Bible, and we're drawn to a passage, which seems to speak directly to us. I do think God can do that. He can take a passage, that may have been given to another person, another time, but can apply it to us, and we see that as a confirmation. But again, it's part of an overall process. But even there, we have to be careful, not to use the Bible as kind of like a fortune-teller's book. You know, randomly open it, close your eyes, and point; and whatever it says, do that. That's not how God works. He can use the Word, to speak to you. But even there: you look at that passage; you study the context; you study the original situation; and then you see how it does apply to you. But the story is told, where somebody was determined to find God's will. And so they just randomly flipped through the pages, put their finger on the verse, and then looked, to see: it said, Judas went out, and hanged himself. And so they said: 'Well, no, that can't be God, speaking to me. Let's try this again.' And so they tried again: 'Go thou, and do likewise.' And so they said: 'Well, no, that can't be right.' So they tried it the third time: 'What thou doest, do quickly.' So, obviously, you can't expect God — you can't force God — you can't manipulate God, into giving you signs of your choosing. You can't use methods, that almost seem like fortune-telling, or the occult. We've got to stay away from anything like that. And we've got to focus on the main ways that God speaks to us: through the Word of God; through the preaching and teaching, counsel, of godly people; through the exercise of human wisdom, common sense, and so forth; and considering the circumstances of life. But also recognize, that God does speak to us, in various ways, to confirm his will, in our lives.

Scripture index: Galatians 1:8-9; Ephesians 4:11-12; Proverbs (book-only); Luke 11:29; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Corinthians 14:3.