Testing the Spirit in the Non-Biblical

1 John 4:1 writes, “…test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” In this passage (cf. 1 Thess 5:16-22), we are given biblical methods of testing the Spirit. The Spirit of God confesses Christ (1 Jn 4:2), aligns with good and abstains from evil (1 Thess 5:22).

But what about the “non-biblical”? There are a lot of things in life that are outside of Scripture. For example, it is not a biblical issue whether I should eat McDonalds or KFC. The Bible does not write whether I should first disciple Person A or Person B (given they're both strong believers). How do I discern these things?

This article provides 4 steps for you to test whether God has truly called you to something.

“HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER GOD IS CALLING ME TO THIS?”

So, here are 4 steps:

STEP 1: IS IT REALLY NON-BIBLICAL?

“WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?”

For the believer who is not well-acquainted with Scripture, perhaps everything is non-biblical because the believer does not know what is biblical or unbiblical. For example, I once suggested that we lay hands on a brother seeking prayer. Another brother said, “That’s weird. The Bible does not say we should lay hands.”

That brother simply does not know Scripture. While Scripture does not mandate believers to lay hands every single time, the laying on of hands was a practice that the early church adopted from Christ’s example. (e.g.: 1 Tim 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim 1:6; Acts 8:17; Acts 9:17; Acts 19:6; Heb 6:2) Thus, the laying on of hands is 100% biblical.

So, the first step is to check whether the perceived calling/voice/prompting of God is biblical, unbiblical, or non-biblical. For example, if you think God is calling you to go to church, you’re right. That’s biblical. He is calling you to go to church.

If you think God is calling you to hate your neighbors, that’s not God. That’s unbiblical.

The usual cringe examples are those regarding dating: “God’s calling me to date him/her.” If that person is an unbeliever, it is clearly a biblical issue—God has not spoken.

STEP 2: HEART (intent) CHECK

“ARE MY DESIRES HONORING TO THE LORD?”

When a believer perceives that God has called one to something/someone, one is claiming that the Spirit of God has spoken/prompted/called. We must test whether that spirit is truly of God.

If we look at that passage, one test is found in 1 John 4:7-21—love: “Is it loving for me to do this or that?” God will not call a believer to do something that is unloving. Certainly, what pertains to “love” is also a matter of biblical understanding as some will reckon “love” as “blind acceptance.” Generally speaking, love aligns with the biblical truth (thus moral goodness), often at the expense of one’s well-being for the spiritual benefit of the recipient.

One quick test is whether your perceived call of God is for your personal gain. Many will say, “God called me to date [this person],” because they want to experience dating—it is selfish ambition (though not necessarily an evil one). Scripture writes, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves .” (Philippians 2: 3)

It is very easy for someone hurt by a church to say, “God called me to leave this church,” because it serves the person’s own interest. But God could have called that person to stay and make a difference and bring reconciliation. This is not to say there are no grounds for a believer to leave a church—particularly when church leadership is in sin or when they do not proclaim the true Gospel.

This is not to say that our personal desires are always contrary to the Spirit. However, it can be easy to conflate ours and God's when we do not discerning our own.

STEP 3: CHARACTER CHECK

“AM I WALKING RIGHTLY WITH THE SPIRIT?”

Consider 2 Peter 1:10-12, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall... Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.”

Context—Peter is talking about God’s calling of salvation. Peter is saying that the qualities of virtue (or, moral goodness), knowledge, self-control, godliness, steadfastness, and love reflect God’s calling and election for salvation.

While salvation is a point (at both ends), it is also a lifelong process. Hence, by implication, these qualities confirm God’s calling and election in our daily walk of salvation.

I know people who claim that God has called them for ministry when their lives are clearly not reflective of the qualities of a regenerate person, such as drunkenness or sexual immorality without repentance. I think Peter would say to these people, “God is not calling you.” This is different from “God can’t use you”. God can use anything for His own purposes...even a donkey.

If a believer practices steps 1-3 and has clearance, particularly through the affirmation of other believers, I think there’s a high chance that the believer can proceed with the perceived voice/call from God as one is in the right relationship with Him. The believer is living by faith desiring to be faithful.

STEP 4: VERIFICATION

“LORD, SHOW ME IF THIS IS YOUR WILL”

One thing that bothers me is that many believers do not acknowledge how Scripture presents God’s voice/call to His people. There’s this weird notion today where, if one claims that God has spoken to him/her, there’s no need for verification or confirmation. It’s like this: I know God has called me because God spoke to me about it. DON’T YOU DARE CHALLENGE/QUESTION me because I know God has spoken to me. I know what I know; you don’t know what I know.”

The prophets didn’t quite speak like this. They said, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” (1 Kgs 22:28) The first phrase “if you ever return safely” allows for confirmation and verification. What the Lord told me allowed it for verification and confirmation—not some weird, infallible, assumed authoritative statement.

In many cases, when God calls one to something, God will confirm and verify it. It may not be instant verification. At times one may even question the calling. But there will be clarity along the way. The go-to example is Gideon and the fleece (Judges 6). But there are other subtle ones that many Christians overlook.

Some examples:

• God gave Moses a few signs (staff —> snake; withered hand; water —> blood) to demonstrate His call as proof for Moses and for those whom he ministered to: Israelites and Egyptians (Exo 3-4).

• Joshua parted the Jordan river like Moses parted the Red Sea so that “they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” (Josh 3:7) God appointed Joshua as Moses’ successor, but he confirmed it in the presence of Israel.

• God told Simeon that he wouldn’t die until he saw Christ. Guess what, he saw Christ before his death. (Lk 2:25-26)

• The Spirit told Paul to go to Jerusalem, though “imprisonment and afflictions await me.” (Acts 20:23) This was confirmed later on, even through Agabus (Acts 21:10).

• God told Paul that no one on the ship to Rome would perish. No one perished. (Acts 27:34-38)

I believe God will, in many instances, confirm and verify what He has spoken. If God has truly said something, that thing is/will be true as He cannot say something untrue. On the contrary, if you claim that God has said something without offering it the possibility of verification or falsification—my natural response is: “are you sure that’s God? Or is it just you?” As to how the Lord will confirm His Word, one way is through other believers. Throughout all of Scripture, there is the notion of witnesses and validity (e.g.: Matt 18:16; 18:20; 1 Tim 5:19).

Conclusion

If you’re in the right relationship with God and sense His calling, test it. Ask for confirmation and verification. It does not have to be something grand, nor does God have an obligation to answer your “fleece” in the way you desire. Yet, I believe there are examples in Scripture where, when God calls someone for His purposes, there will be clarity. God’s calling is clear to those who love Him and fear Him.

What this also means is that when you present your calling, do not present it in a way that is beyond challenge, verification, and testing—that is foolish and suspicious. God is big enough to handle our requests and to offer proof for His call—if He has truly called.

PS: ”Do not put the Lord to the test,” (Deut 6:16) is a completely different context.