DAY 3

Experience

Read Deuteronomy 13:1-4; Colossians 2:18-19; 2 Peter 1:16-21.
From the beginning of time, people have used personal experiences as the basis of their religious beliefs and have considered anyone else who hadn’t had the same kind of experience to be spiritually inferior or substandard. Using nothing more than experience as the basis for your beliefs is dangerous. God uses a better way to reveal Himself. He has given us a written record of truth. All the experiences of life must be judged by that record.
Read Deuteronomy 13:1-4.
According to these verses, identify which statement is a more reliable test of truth in the experience of a prophet or a dreamer.
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 Whether the prophecy or dream comes true☐
 Whether the prophet or dreamer entices you to turn away from the one true GodEven when people can show you signs and wonders and their predictions seem accurate, you mustn’t listen to them if they diminish your single-hearted devotion to God.
What reason does Deuteronomy 13:3 give that people who make experiences their religious authority sometimes seem so persuasive?
God may permit a person to speak persuasively with what seems to be great authority. That person may even claim a special relationship with God and perform miracles. God permits these abilities and claims in order to give you an opportunity to demonstrate your love and commitment to Him. He also permits situations to be created that require you to flex your spiritual muscles and grow spiritually.
Clinging to experiences as the source of religious authority always causes problems. Read Colossians 2:18-19.
What specific problem was the apostle Paul writing about?
Some of the Colossians had apparently seen visions. As a result, they were trying to persuade all of the other Christians to join in the worship of angels and other false practices.
According to verse 19, what’s the mistake people make when they use experiences as their authority?
According to verse 19, what’s the source of growth in the body of Christ?
Paul said people who hold to experiences as their authority don’t hold fast to Christ, the Head of His body, the church. Basing their faith on a special or unusual experience, they often consider themselves spiritually superior to others who haven’t had the same experience.
Without a doubt, your deepening fellowship with God will produce deeply significant experiences in your life. Those experiences can be a blessing to you and to other Christians. But beware of insisting that others have the same kind of experience. And beware of others who insist that you try to have the same experience they’ve had.
When Christians begin seeking an experience instead of fellowship with God, they’re in danger of being captured by a false source of authority.
Experiences, like intellect and tradition, must be interpreted in light of Scripture. Read 2 Peter 1:16-18. In this passage Peter described Jesus’ transfiguration, a remarkable event he had seen with his own eyes. Peter made these statements about the experience:
• “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (verse 16).
• “He received honor and glory from God the Father” (verse 17).
• “The voice came to him, … saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased!’ ”
(verse 17).
• “We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven” (verse 18).
• “We were with him on the holy mountain” (verse 18).
Now read an actual written account of the event recorded in Matthew 17:1-5. Highlight each of Peter’s statements that the actual account verifies.
It’s clear that Peter knew what he was talking about, isn’t it? But carefully read what Peter said next in 2 Peter 1:19-21.
Did you notice that he spoke of something being “strongly confirmed” (verse 19)? What could be more sure than something he had seen with his own eyes? You might say, “Nothing could be more certain that!” Yet Peter said, “We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed” (verse 19). Peter was identifying something even more trustworthy than what he saw and heard himself: words written by the prophets, who had been guided by the Holy Spirit of God.
Beginning this week, you’ll have two Scripture-memory assignments. The first Scripture speaks about people who are depending on any of the three inadequate sources of authority. By now you should be able to record 1 Corinthians 2:14 from memory. See if you can. Then use your Scripture-memory card to check your recall.
Tomorrow you’ll begin learning about the one true, ultimate source of authority. Your second Scripture-memory assignment addresses that source. Begin memorizing 2 Timothy 3:16 now.
Let’s summarize what we’ve learned about the three inadequate sources of authority: intellect, tradition, and experiences. Separately or together these three sources of religious authority never rise above the best people can do when they have no truth from God. Because all of these are based on human structures, they’re all dead-end streets.
The frequently heard proposition that all religions lead to the same God simply isn’t true. A person who makes such a statement has never studied all religions. Indeed, some religions don’t even admit that God exists.
If you haven’t already heard sincere, earnest people present different religious claims and teaching, you will. They may sincerely try to sway you to their beliefs. Carefully examine their claims. Are they based on intellect? The human mind can’t be the final judge of spiritual truth. Are they based on experience? Human activities can’t be the final source for spiritual truth. Are they based on tradition? Our past intellect and experiences are no more trustworthy than our present ones.
Read 1 Timothy 1:3-7.
According to verse 4, what do human teachings lead to?
Mere speculations, questions, or arguments do nothing to strengthen you as a Christian. On the other hand, where does true teaching from God lead? True teaching from God leads to a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
In 2 Timothy 2:18 Paul pointed out that false teachings had upset or overthrown the faith of some people. According to verse 19, what did Paul identify that would enable Timothy to stand firm?
The firm foundation of teaching from the Word of God stood as strong as ever.
Conclude your quiet time today by meditating on 2 Peter 1:16-21. Wait before God and let Him reveal how those verses should affect the way you live your life today.