Christians frequently get a bit careless when they talk about how God communicates with us. I routinely hear people say something like this, “God told me that I shouldn’t buy the car I was thinking about buying.” My response sometimes is, “Oh, what did He say?” It’s an honest question: what exactly did God say? What do you mean when you say, “God told me”?

What God says and how He says it are serious business. When God speaks, it is the Word of God. We must be careful and precise when we speak of how and when God speaks.

We just began a preaching series on the book of Hebrews. One of the great themes in the book is that God has spoken and how we are to listen and heed His Words.

“An old Puritan preacher used to say there are just two things he desired to know: ‘First, Does God speak? Second, what does God say?’” (Hebrews Verse-By-Verse, William Newell). 

The answer to that is found in the very first two verses of Hebrews, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2a). 

When Jesus Christ appeared on this earth and completed the work of redemption, it culminated in God’s communication to mankind. The Son of God is the exclamation point of God’s revelation and communication, meaning His revelation is complete. During the apostolic era, we will see how God confirmed that Final Word through the Apostles by miraculous deeds (Hebrews 2:1-4). As we will see, even that was temporary.

The Word spoken by the Lord Jesus and confirmed by the Apostles are both in His person as the Son of God and in His instructions they recorded. 

As Peter tells us, 

“So, we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, or no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:19-21).

And Paul, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We have the completed, God-breathed canon of Scripture, the Old and New Testaments, our final authority for faith and practice.

The communication of God through His Son to us in these latter days is sufficient. God has spoken, and we, therefore, have all we need through what He has said, for “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).

Of course, God speaks, and is speaking, in that His Word is eternal, ever fresh, and ever new to us. His Word is never dry, stale, outdated, or dusty because it is ancient. It is, as the writer of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s Word is ever alive, ever fresh, and ever relevant. Its power and sufficiency do not rest in us, but in the God who authored it.

So, you can see that when I say, “God told me not to refinance my mortgage,” I cheapen the very Holy Spirit-inspired eternal revelation of Scripture. It lowers revelation to a mundane level that is not fitting. Because when God speaks, it is revelation. It is His Word, and my impression that God “told me” to take a vacation does not rise to, nor does it belong in the canon of Scripture. 

What then? How do we make these daily decisions? We walk with God. We immerse ourselves in His wisdom. We study what He has said; we meditate on it, memorize it, and inculcate it into our very souls. We immerse ourselves in His Words. When we do so, our senses are trained, our hearts are in tune, our minds are renewed, and our wills are ready to follow Him by faith. The Holy Spirit makes clear His Word, fills us, empowers us, and produces in us the fruit of a life sanctified by God’s Word and for His purposes. As Jesus prayed for us to the Father, “Sanctify them in truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

Therefore, if I decide to refinance, it’s because of the wisdom about finances that God has given in His Word. If I feel God is telling me to make a large purchase with a credit card to put me into debt, it’s not Him speaking; it’s me. If you believe God is telling you to marry someone who is not a Christian, it is not God who is speaking. 

People often say, “God told me that I should give some money to my friend who was having financial difficulties.” When your friend has a financial need, you don’t have to wait for God to tell you to help them. The Bible has already said, “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). The Scriptures are clear here and in many other places: if someone has a need and you can meet it—just do it. 

Unfortunately, when we are fast and loose with God’s Word, frequently claiming that God is always speaking to us, it can become an excuse, “God did not tell me to help my friend.” Therefore, the blame falls on God for our failure to obey what He has already spoken.

Be careful with God’s holy Word. What did He say? He has said it all in His Son. You have all you need to make life decisions and live a life that brings glory to your God.

What did He say?

Your word is a lamp to my feet 

And a light to my path.

I have sworn and I will confirm it,

That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

Psalm 119:105-106