By Pst Beaudry March 6, 2026
The expression “I have a word from the Lord for you” is sometimes heard in our Christian circles. Some single women have even heard, “God told me you would be my wife.” Beware! You must be very careful before receiving such a message.
In the Old Testament, God did indeed give specific words to specific individuals. Prophets such as Moses, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel delivered messages beginning with the phrase “Thus says the Lord.” These were not impressions, personal reflections, or spiritual feelings. They were direct revelations from God, delivered with divine authority. The prophet acted as God’s appointed spokesperson, and the message carried binding authority for the covenant community. Because of this, false prophecy was considered a serious offense (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).
In the New Testament, revelation continues through Jesus Christ and his Apostles. For example, the Apostle Paul declared that the gospel he preached was “a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). The Apostles were uniquely commissioned as witnesses of the resurrected Christ, and their teaching became the foundation of the Church (Ephesians 2:20). Their authority was authenticated by signs, wonders, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. However, the apostolic function was fundamental and historically limited. Scripture does not present it as a continuous role, repeatable in every generation.
The book of Hebrews provides a key theological principle concerning this type of revelation: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2 NKJV). This passage demonstrates both continuity and culmination. God did indeed speak in the past through the prophets, but His ultimate and final revelation came through Jesus Christ. Christ is not simply another messenger; He is the Word made flesh (John 1:1-14). Therefore, any claims of a new and authoritative revelation must be evaluated in light of the purpose of Christ’s work and redemptive message.
Closely related to this is the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches that Scripture is inspired by God and sufficient to prepare the believer for every good work. If Scripture fully prepares the Church for faith and practice, then no additional doctrinal revelation is necessary. Although God continues to guide His people through providence, wisdom, and the work of the Holy Spirit, such guidance does not add any new authoritative revelation equal to that of Scripture.
It is important to distinguish revelation from enlightenment. Enlightenment refers to the Holy Spirit helping believers understand and apply the truth already revealed in Scripture. Jesus promised that, “… when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13 NKJV). This guidance from the Spirit is useful for teaching God’s people, but it also operates within a specific pastoral and apostolic framework. When someone says, “I have a word from the Lord,” this expression often suggests revelatory authority rather than Spirit-guided application. This distinction is crucial.
Scripture also repeatedly warns against false claims of divine words. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1 NKJV). This warning demonstrates that claiming to speak on behalf of God is a serious matter. It is not a language to be taken lightly.
Pastorally and practically, unexamined claims of divine revelation can create significant problems within the Church. They can undermine the authority of Scripture if personal impressions are treated as equivalent to biblical truth. They can discourage discernment if questioning the message is presented as an interrogation of God. They can also lead to confusion if several people invoke contradictory “words of the Lord”. For these reasons, the Church must evaluate all teachings according to the standards of Scripture.
In conclusion, although God sovereignly guides, condemns, and directs believers through the Holy Spirit, the Bible does not present normative and continuous claims of new and authoritative revelation as standard practice for the Church. Christ is the final and most complete revelation of God, the Apostles laid the foundation of the Church, and Scripture remains the sufficient rule of faith and practice. Therefore, any modern claim to “the word of the Lord” must be carefully tested and subordinated to the written Word of God. Let us be wary of those who always claim to have a prophetic word.