Often I hear about people’s “experiences” with God whether at church, some revival, or other venue. There is nothing wrong with having such an experience except when you place that above the Word of God in your life. I have heard testimonies about how people walked an aisle to be saved and they rely on that experience to prove that they are saved. You rely on Jesus and His finished work on the cross to be saved not some experience you had with Him. Your testimony is not the gospel. Christ is.
If our theology is derived from an experience then we are in trouble.
“We had church tonight!” I heard someone exclaim. There was a revival service and the speaker gave everyone the warm fuzzies1 by working the congregation into a frenzy. There was an “experience” for everyone involved. Here is a good thought: Ask a congregant what was the content from their favorite message of the week. More than likely you’ll get that “deer in the headlights” look from the question.
Dangerous things indeed.
What about the Prosperity Gospel? That sucks you in because you are told that God owes you something if you’re obedient in giving to this or that ministry. If you give, God will return the blessing 100 fold etc.. Manipulative pastors tap into your feelings, into your greed because you see dollar signs instead of the gospel. Your experience shapes your theology because when God doesn’t do what Mr. Slick Nick says with your bank account your view God as a liar, not giving enough, not faithful enough, see where this goes?
There are countless examples of this all across the world. We substitute an experience for Scripture and sound theology and slap “we had church today” on it.
Two examples of having an experience with Jesus in Scripture come to mind:
The Apostle Paul
The Apostle Peter
Let’s start with Paul:
Paul encountered the risen Jesus on the Damascus road in Acts 9.
If Paul’s experience mattered more then why did he not put the authority on that? Instead he writes in 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”. 1984 NIV Emphasis added.
Sound theology.
Notice that the authority is placed on God’s Word for equipping the people of God for every good work. Not his experience with the risen Savior.
You cannot argue the facts of scripture with someone who argues their feelings from an experience with Jesus. God has to open their eyes to His truth found in His Word.
The Apostle Peter wrote about an experience that he, James, and John had with Jesus. They saw Christ transfigured before their very eyes (Matthew 17:1-18). In 2nd Peter 1:16-21 he writes about it:
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” ESV Emphasis added.
Sound theology.
Peter was an eyewitness to the majesty of Jesus Christ and yet he says “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention”. Peter could have very easily boasted on his experience with Jesus but he did not. He points you to the Word instead.
Your experience with Jesus has no authority over your life. His Word does. When we rely on our experiences we are on hollow ground. We need to stand on solid ground the Word of God.
Pastors, preach the Word not an experience.
I had the “warm fuzzies” once in church. It turned out to be gas.
The human brain is very powerful, it can produce all kinds of chemical reactions to different events and things to create “feelings”. People sometimes get a sense of euphoria from a church service, a message or especially the worship music. The brain creates these chemical reactions/feelings much like a drug can. Many church services begin with a “worship service” with music before the preaching (for a reason). The chords and melodies mixed with sentimental lyrics can pull on the ol’ heartstrings to manipulate the listener emotionally into making a decision for Christ, or to give money, commit to something they don’t really wanna do or whatever. Any important decisions shouldn’t be manipulated like this, they should be critically thought out and understood. Don’t just do something because you’re high on endorphins or you were “moved by the spirit”. This is no foundation for anything in my opinion. Feelings change, they come and go… sometimes good, sometimes bad, ya just never know..