I would not have guessed what denomination this quote came out of…
“[There are] grave problems raised by the habit of giving and receiving personal “messages” of guidance through the gifts of the Spirit….The Bible gives a place for such direction from the Holy Spirit….But it must be kept in proportion. An examination of the Scriptures will show us that as a matter of fact the early Christians did not continually receive such voices from heaven. In most cases they made their decisions by the use of what we often call “sanctified common sense” and lived quite normal lives. Many of our errors where spiritual gifts are concerned arise when we want to make the extraordinary and exceptional to be made frequent and habitual. Let all who develop excessive desire for “messages” through the gifts take warning from the wreckage of past generations as well as contemporaries….The Holy Scriptures are a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.”
I got this quote from a great little book on knowing God’s will. It is called Just Do Something, by Kevin DeYoung. This quote is not from the author, but from Donald Gee, who is a part of the charismatic Assemblies of God denomination.
This book is teaching me a lot of things that are contrary to what I have been taught for many years as a Christian. DeYoung unpacks what the Bible says about what it means to seek God’s will daily. Honestly, it is blowing my mind.
I thought I’d post some other provoking quotes, that will hopefully make you want to buy and read this clear and straightforward book. Just remember, all of these quotes are taken from their context, so please don’t make assumptions about a broader theology taught in the book. Simply buy the book and read it! It is worth it!
“We have no record in the New Testament of anyone anxious to hear God tell him what to do.”
“God does not have a specific plan for our lives that He means for us to decipher ahead of time.”
“If you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be in God’s will, so just go out and do something.”
Quote within the book: “Special revelation for guidance was not the normal apostolic experience.”
“But as an overarching principle, the will of God for your life is pretty straightforward: Be holy like Jesus, by the power of the Spirit, for the glory of God.”
“God’s way is not to show us what tomorrow looks like or even to tell us what decisions we should make tomorrow. That’s not His way because that’s not the way of faith….He doesn’t call on us to seek a divine word before scheduling another semester of classes or deciding between bowling and putt-putt golf. He calls us to run hard after Him, His commands, and His glory.”
“The only chains God wants us to wear are the chains of righteousness—not the chains of hopeless subjectivism, not the shackles of risk-free living, not the fetters of horoscope decision making—just the chains befitting a bond servant of Christ Jesus. Die to self. Live for Christ. And then do what you want, and go where you want, for God’s glory.”
