Carl Thomas dot net

God Told Me…

Can I be honest?  Sometimes when people come up to me and say, “God told me…” I shudder inside.

I believe God tells people things all the time.   So if  I believe in hearing God what is the problem?  Glad you asked.

I am at a place that the phrase, “God told me” has one of three meanings, and two are not good.

1. I am a mature Christian who hears God.  Purpose: Live in unity with God and God’s people.  Scripture: Acts 21:13  Likelihood: least likely.  Description: I am a person who is submitted to heavenly and earthly authority.  I am submitting what I believe God told me for you, as my leader to test.  I would like to walk in submission to this direction from God and I would like you to prayerfully consider what I think the application of this word is.  Please hold me accountable to this direction since I know how serious God’s spoken word is.
   Likely Example: “Since you have asked me to take a leadership role in this area of ministry, I feel I should tell you that before I started serving I felt God told me I was going to lead this area of ministry.  I was just planning to come to church here but God told me so I started serving.  Please help me stay in God’s will and not take on things God does not want me to.”
2. God has to audibly speak before I will do anything I don’t feel like doing.  Purpose: Get credit for being a martyr by obeying God and make it clear God is really inconveniencing you.  Likelihood: probable. Description:  I know about God.  I may have walked with Him for a season.  I clearly heard Him tell me to do something I don’t want to do and I will not do it without someone lavishing praise on me for obeying God.  I am willing to try obeying God but if this is not enjoyable real fast count me out.
   Likely Example:  In service God told me that I am supposed to go to church here.  He said my kids will walk with Him if I serve here and that I will come into my ministry calling here.  Pastor, can I lead a connection group?  Can I be on the worship team?  When can I preach?  I want to write curriculum for Mission Kids.  I want to lead a Mission Trip.  You can count on me to … oh look…. they use candles at New Age Worship Church.  I am still with you.  I will be back.  These folks will not be seen again till tragedy revisits their home.
3. You’re not the boss of me. Purpose: Protect pride.  Likelihood: Bing! Bing! Bing! We have a winner!  Description:  I believe that I am above other Christians.  I am sharing this with you so you can tell me I am right and to tell you that if you disagree with me, you disagree with God.  You might want to refer people to me so I can minister to them.  God thinks I am going to be the biggest, the greatest, the most anointed, the most widely recognized and the most respected ever.  If I submitted any of this to five fold leadership it is possible that my over-sized ego would be damaged.  I might be inclined to lay on my bedroom floor and suck my thumb in depression.  I can’t let that happen so I have convinced myself that I am infallible, and by telling you “God said” I am trying to manipulate you into agreeing. 
   Likely Examples:  There are so many it is hard to list just a few.  I know you can’t stand me but God said you are going to be my wife.  or God told me to share something on the mic, that’s why I did not ask first.  or God told me that people would not understand my call.  or God told me I don’t need to get water baptized.  or God said that tongues is not for me. or God said I should live off my parents well beyond adulthood.  or God showed me in intercession a problem with your ministry.

Real prophecy comes from the heart of God and will always be drenched in humility.  It will ooze with submission to God and His plans.  Pride, rebellion, self-exultation, and manipulation are never from God.