SCRIPTURE

You might hear people say that God spoke to them. Usually, when they make this claim, they're attempting to justify a choice or action in what they claim to be God's audible direction. The problem with this emphasis is that it misleads individuals to believe that God's "spoken (rhema) Word" is more important than His "written (logos) Word." This is how apostasy, heresy, & cults are born.

In the Bible, we see how God was very selective with the individuals He spoke to directly, & God made it a big deal when He did (ex: Moses in Exodus to Numbers). We also see that Jesus was not just the atoning sacrifice for our sins, but He was the perfect Priest, Prophet, & King. God at various times spoke through prophets, but in the last days, He spoke to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things (Heb 1:1-3). The only time the Greek word "Rhema" (the spoken Word) is used in the Bible is when Jesus verbally speaks, when Jesus' words are referenced, & when "Logos" (the written Word of God) are referenced in the setting. This makes sense because Jesus consistently referenced Old Testament texts in all situations. By doing so, He modeled for us that the written Word of God was timeless, our most valuable weapon, & the only source of Truth (Matt 4).

The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit make up the Triune God. Therefore, Logos & Rhema are given through Him. Why would the Father speak to us when Israel did not listen to His Logos (the Scriptures)? Why would Jesus speak to us when His people did not listen to His Rhema (spoken Logos)? God communicates with us in only one way: the Bible. However, the Holy Spirit was given to us as a Helper Who communicates with us by recalling Scripture to the forefront of our minds so that we can make decisions based on the Truth of the Word of God.

If someone claims that God spoke to them, test it against the Word of God. If it contradicts Scripture, you have a heretic on your hands.

When people claim God told them something that is not Biblically accurate, they are essentially building their argument on the Word of God & then stripping out the foundation it's standing on. God does not contradict Himself, He never has, & He never will.