In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul the apostle addressed that local church about its disorder in the area spiritual gifts. He said when they came together as a body, everyone had a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation, or an interpretation (1 Cor. 14:26). The church members were zealous about spiritual gifts. But they did not know how to operate in those gifts in a way that was edifying.
Paul reminded them that “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Cor. 14:33). As I reflect on that local church, I think about the Christian church today. I believe we have much confusion in the area of spiritual gifts as well.
Let me be quick to add that I believe the spiritual gifts Paul addresses in his letter to the church at Corinth still exist for the Christian church today. So, my objective in this post is not to rant against spiritual gifts such as prophesy, speaking in other tongues, healing, etc.
But I have had my fill of church leaders and churchgoers going around saying what God told them when He did not. How do I know He did not? Because too much of what I hear being presented as a prophetic word from the Lord conflicts with the written Word of God. Or it is extreme and not balanced.
Heaven Speaks with One Voice
God is not the author of this confusion in the church. He is not saying anything in these last days that conflicts with or that makes null and void what He has already inspired holy men to pen.
If God were the author of such confusion, think about how vulnerable the people of God would be. But the good news is that heaven speaks with one voice throughout the ages. The Holy Spirit will never lead us in directions contrary to the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures. No prophetic word or word of knowledge—from God—will contradict what Jesus taught during His public ministry.
Accordingly, Paul the apostle wrote these words to the church at Galatia:
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
Galatians 1:8, KJV
It is my observation that some so-called Spirit-filled churches have created a climate for thirsting after “new revelation.” Or some “deep” doctrine. As a result, we have too many voices saying too many inconsistent things in the Christian church today. Some of what’s currently being promoted I find to be deceptive or downright manipulative.
The point is that God is not the author of our confusion; we are.
Copyright© 2023 by Frank King. All rights reserved.