The Shift
So, is there a difference between resting on God’s written Word and what Shirer says we are to do? Absolutely. Remember, Shirer did not want “hand-me down” revelation. Evidently God’s written Word was not enough. She wanted something more, something fresh with her name on it. Hmmm.
It should be noted that such teachers will absolutely and totally affirm the objective authority of the written Word of God. You will most likely hear them speak truths from God’s Holy Word! Nevertheless, a shift ensues.
Where they started in their endeavor to hear God – God’s Word – is not where they end up. As with Shirer, she is now at a personal “message from God’s Spirit.” From where does this personal message come?
So, they may say we are hearing God through Scripture, but it’s as though they use that very Scripture as some springboard – to obtain the real message we need to hear for our own personal lives. Consequently, it becomes about listening for something else, something other, something…from within? Undoubtedly, self has become the new reference point!
Whether it be through some inner prompting, inner voice, impression, feeling, they shift the authority from the already written Word of God to one’s own leading. This is quite dangerous for our spiritual life and walk. After all, how would we know if it was God’s voice, our own thoughts, or some other influence?
George Mueller, an evangelist in the 19th century, said, “Faith has nothing to do with feelings or impressions, with improbabilities or outward experiences. If we desire to couple such things with faith, then we are no longer resting on the Word of God, because faith needs nothing of the kind. Faith rests on the naked Word of God. When we take Him at His Word, the heart is at peace.”
But we believe that Shirer and other such teachers do not land on Scripture as their final authority. In their wanting some fresh revelation, they have actual begun a mystical journey of hearing God directly. They go beyond the written Word to some direct inner access to God. (In fact, Shirer’s ministry is titled Going Beyond Ministries) Their new found quest becomes laden with the need for fresh revelations and on-going prophecies, as if something of real importance is missing from Scripture. This, no doubt, leaves the door wide open for other questionable teachings.
Read how forthright Charles Spurgeon was about the issue in this excerpt from his March 7, 1886 sermon on John 17:17:
“But what is the truth? There is the point. Is the truth that which I imagine to be revealed to me by some private communication? Am I to fancy that I enjoy some special revelation, and am I to order my life by voices, dreams, and impressions? Brethren, fall not into this common delusion. God’s word to us is in Holy Scripture. All the truth that sanctifies men is in God’s Word. Do not listen to those who cry, “Lo here!” and “Lo there!” I am plucked by the sleeve almost every day by crazy persons and pretenders who have revelations. One man tells me that God has sent a message to me by him; and I reply, “No, sir, the Lord knows where I dwell, and he is so near to me that he would not need to send to me by you.” Another man announces in God’s name a dogma which, on the face of it, is a lie against the Holy Ghost. He says the Spirit of God told him so-and-so; but we know that the Holy Ghost never contradicts himself. If your imaginary revelation is not according to this Word, it has no weight with us; and if it is according to this Word, it is no new thing.
Brethren, this Bible is enough if the Lord does but use it, and quicken it by his Spirit in our hearts. Truth is neither your opinion, nor mine; your message, nor mine. Jesus says, “Thy word is truth.” That which sanctifies men is not only truth, but it is the particular truth which is revealed in God’s Word—”Thy word is truth.” What a blessing it is that all the truth that is necessary to sanctify us is revealed in the Word of God, so that we have not to expend our energies upon discovering truth, but may, to our far greater profit, use revealed truth for its divine ends and purposes! There will be no more revelations; no more are needed. The canon is fixed and complete, and he that adds to it shall have added to him the plagues that are written in this Book. What need of more when here is enough for every practical purpose? ‘Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.’”
Spurgeon was referring to Revelation 22:18 which says, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.”
