Let me start this article by stating emphatically that something can drop in your spirit and still not be from the Spirit of God. Some passionate and well meaning people have advanced dangerous revelations and teachings with the simple phrase "it dropped in my spirit".
Among Pentecostal and Charismatic adherents, it seems the phrase gives credibility to the revelation. In other words, it dropped in my spirit so it must be true. However, as far as the Bible and Biblical Christian worldview is concerned, truth is independent, absolute, objective, error-proof, universal and not subject to time or seasons. It does not depend on human expressions and behavior, culture and traditions or belief systems and esoteric experiences for its identity.
In John 14:6, Christ declared saying, "I am the way, the truth and the life". Christ is the truth, and unlike postmodern definitions of truth as relative, subjective and dependent on human culture, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. In the context of special revelations, this means that which is regarded as truth or true must conform to the person, nature and will of the One Truine God; in that it must be unchangeable and independent of time.
Truth was and is even before the foundations of the universe (John 1:1-3). Truth is established by God, not men, angels, principalities or demons. Truth gains its identity and nature from God as Source. So it is important that we heed to John's counsel in 1 John's 4:1 where he cautions that every spirit should be tested or examined to ascertain the source.
John brings to our attention the need to critically examine every spirit to avoid deception. Perhaps a more contemporary expression is Dr. Mensah Otabil's statement that "not everything spiritual is of God". John's warning against lying spirits came in a time when the early Church was under doctrinal attack from Gnosticism. (Learn more about gnosticism by clicking on the underlined word)
Once we accept this truth, we will be more critical of the phrase "it dropped in my spirit". Our enduring lust for deep mysteries, instead of the simplicity of God's word, can lead us to dark places. To discern the truth we must commit ourselves to study the Bible and seek the Holy Spirit to bring us to a coherent understanding of God's word and will.
It is important to note that a person can be a false teacher or pseudoprophet and be ignorant of it. In other words, not all false teachers or false prophets are wicked wolves in sheep clothing, some are innocent and untrained. This is a major reason why persons advanced in ministry advise young people to submit to training before launching into ministry. An untrained minister is a danger to himself and to those he ministers to. His errors and mistakes can lead his followers into deception, confusion and even death.
Using Jesus Christ as the standard, we must learn to wait on God in patience until he sends us out with a word. But in our waiting, we must understand that the devil can visit with inspirations that have the appearance of truth. So how do we discern the voice of God or discern the source of a revelation.
Study the Bible.
Submit to the Holy Spirit to be taught for your own maturity.
Understand that the voice of God cannot contradict the coherency of His Word.
Understand the dynamics between your emotional impulses and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Submit yourself to training under a matured and sound shepherd of God.
Be reminded that until you know God's word, you won't be able to discern His voice correctly. That means you will be walking in error, falsehood and deception.
If you have an enduring desire to study the Bible and arrive at a coherent understanding of God's word, please click here to signup to the Breed Learning Community. We will give you all the assistance you need.
