Practical dangers in “practicing” to hear from God
The main problem with this type of practice is that people who practice it become “unteachable” and “divisive.”
People will say things like, “Who are you to tell me what I should do?” God spoke to me and I don’t need to do anything else. He bypassed the word and spoke straight into my heart.”
In addition, this sort of teaching also invites spiritual abuse from the teachers, who may have built up a cult-like following of people because they claim to have direct revelation from God.
But consider this.
Can the revelation that is received be added to the Bible? And where is the balance between trusting the word and seeking for a new one? Is the word of God enough for us or do we need a new prophet to tell us what to do?
To claim to receive additional revelation from God poses a massive threat to the integrity of the Scriptures, “to the faith once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3)”
If we claim that God has given divine revelation but it isn’t equal to scripture then you are indirectly saying that God doesn’t always tell us the truth.
Additionally, some abusive people in power use the phrase “The Lord told me” as a way to avoid criticism and gain people’s approval. Such people are difficult to argue with, since anything you say will be considered an argument with God.
The best way to respond to such people is to gently ask, “How do you know that it was God who spoke to you?” “Help me understand why you think the Lord is leading you to do that?” On most occasions, you will notice vague, subjective, and superstitious responses.
Finally, consider this. If God was to give continuing revelation, why would He give it to ego-maniacs, abusers of power, or those who have an insatiable thirst for money (as seen in modern charismatic circles)? Why not give it to people who have sound theology?
In conclusion, the practice of claiming to hear direct revelations from God undermines the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. It creates a dangerous environment where individuals become unteachable, spiritual leaders misuse their influence, and subjective experiences take precedence over objective truth. Such claims not only compromise the integrity of God’s Word but also open the door to deception, spiritual abuse, and confusion within the church.
The Bible is clear: God’s Word is complete, sufficient, and authoritative. When believers anchor their lives in the Scriptures and seek God’s wisdom through prayer and the Spirit’s guidance, they are protected from the pitfalls of relying on subjective and unverifiable revelations. Instead of pursuing a “new word” from God, we are called to trust the eternal truth He has already revealed in His Word, which equips us for every good work and leads us into a deeper relationship with Him.