It has become popular to say “the Lord spoke to me!” But this notion has been taken to an extreme today. More and more are claiming that God and Jesus are speaking in full sentences, paragraphs, pages and entire books. Two of the most popular of these examples of “direct revelation” by God and Jesus are the books: God Calling and Jesus Calling.

God Calling was written in the 1930’s by two “anonymous listeners” who purported to receive direct messages from God which they wrote down.  Many Bible students today have rightly recognized that God Calling is an example of occult spirit writing.  Today, the most popular of the current and growing number of books that purport to be the very words of Jesus is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. In the original introduction of her book, Sarah Young praised God Calling as her chief inspiration.

Through writings of this kind, thousands of people are subtly being drawn away from  sound doctrine and the Word of God.  Many are putting their Bibles aside.  They are becoming dependent on this and other writings and teachings that are not from the Bible nor are they the same as the Bible.

Jesus Calling reads as though it is Jesus Himself doing the speaking. If you are well read in the Gospels and the entire Bible, you would readily see that Jesus Calling is anything but the Bible!  Yet millions who have a desire to hear from Jesus are sincerely seeking this book to give them what they are looking for.  But we must be careful not to be deceived in this latter-day.

Under the distinct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, Paul warns: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” (KJV)

We may be sure that in these latter days, when we are looking for the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ at any moment, the devil and lying spirits will seek to lead people away from the Word of God. These spirits are spoken of as “seducing spirits,” and they will teach “doctrines of devils.” For those who take Bible prophecy seriously, they have to acknowledge the reality of the arising of popular teachings and writings that purport to be God speaking, but they are not!

The lying spirits of the latter days will heavily influence people to listen to teachers and teachings that are counterfeits of the true Jesus Christ.  They  will substitute His eternal and unchanging Word for seductive and “feel good” messages.  The Christian mind that passively receives these messages and does not “prove all things, hold fast that which is good,” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) is risking a great deal.  Jesus said to those of us living in the latter days:  Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in MY NAME, saying, I am Christ; and SHALL DECEIVE MANY!” (Matthew 24:4-5) 

Be careful about accepting “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4).  Devotionals are good so long as the authors do not presume to speak the very words of God!  It is time for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to return to the doctrine of the Absolute Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture!  Paul was clear that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may perfect (complete), thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Beware of  Contemplative/Mystical/Spirituality of New Age and Emergent Christianity.  God warned of dire consequences of adding to His Word. Proverbs 30:6 says: “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”  To assume that the words of Jesus Calling are entirely the words of Jesus, the Son of God, as the book clearly implies, is at best dangerously presumptuous, or at worst, blasphemous!   The only direct revelation of the words of Jesus that exist on the earth today are the very words He spoke in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  Some additional places in the New Testament where Jesus speaks are found in Acts 26:14-18, and in the Book of Revelation. (1:8,11,17-20;2:1-3:22;22:7,12-13,16,20)

Of course, the entire context of all the other books of the Old and New Testaments provide enough truth, insight, wisdom, direction, encouragement, conviction, promises, prophecies and instruction so as make any Christian “perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  (2 Timothy 3:16)

Yes, God does still speak today, but through His AUTHORITATIVE and SUFFICIENT Word, the Bible!  The indwelling Holy Spirit will encourage us day by day to depend upon God’s Word, the Bible, to know what God desires to say to you through the prayerful and personal study of God’s Word.  Be careful not to listen to “another Jesus!”  There are many false Christ’s out there today.  But the one true Jesus Christ speaks today through His Word, the Bible!  Depend upon God’s Word to teach and lead you today and every day, for God’s Word is SUFFICIENT!