The Spirit “Ministered to Me”: A Call for Discernment and Biblical Reflection, By Mike Udam

The phrase “the Spirit ministered to me” has become a staple in the language of many Christians today. It is often used to describe a profound personal experience with God—an encounter that implies divine communication or revelation. While such experiences can carry deep spiritual significance, the casual use of this phrase has, over time, diluted its meaning and created room for confusion. What was once a weighty declaration of divine encounter now running the risk of becoming a catchphrase, often used without careful consideration of its biblical foundation.

When someone claims that “the Spirit has ministered to them,” they are essentially asserting that God has spoken directly to them. Such claims, however, should not be accepted without careful discernment. As believers, we are called to test all things, particularly spiritual claims, against the unchanging truth of God’s Word. But how do we navigate these claims? How should we respond when someone asserts that they have received direct communication from God?

The Bible provides us with a clear framework for understanding how God communicates with humanity. In Hebrews 1:1-2, we are told that, “In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.” This passage highlights the transition from the old ways in which God communicated—through visions, dreams, and prophets—to the final and most complete revelation of all: Jesus Christ. In essence, Christ is the culmination of all previous divine communications, and it is through Him that God’s will has been made fully known.

This does not mean that God is silent today, but it suggests that any claim of divine communication must be evaluated in light of His final revelation through Christ. So, when someone declares, “The Lord spoke to me,” it’s only reasonable to ask a few important questions:

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When did He speak to you? How did He communicate with you? What message did He give you that is not already revealed in Scripture? and How can you be certain it was the Lord who spoke to you?

These questions are not meant to undermine anyone’s spiritual experience, but rather to encourage discernment. Throughout Scripture, we are warned about the dangers of false prophecy and deception. Not every spiritual experience is from God, and not every voice is the voice of the Lord. We must be careful to weigh such claims against the authoritative Word of God.

One of the gravest dangers we face as Christians is the risk of misrepresenting the Holy Spirit. In Luke 12:10, Jesus gives a stark warning: “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemed against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven.” This warning serves as a reminder that attributing false claims to the Holy Spirit is not only dangerous but unforgivable. If we claim that the Lord has spoken to us when He has not, or if we declare something that contradicts His revealed Word, we place ourselves in a precarious spiritual position.

In my own walk of faith, I stand firmly by the authority of Scripture. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Scripture provides all that we need to know for living a life that pleases God. It is the complete and final authority for Christian faith and practice.

If the message someone claims to have received from the Lord aligns with God’s Word, then it is not new. It is merely a reaffirmation of what has already been revealed. But if the message deviates—even slightly—from the Scriptures, then it should be rejected outright. Galatians 1:8-9 offers a stern warning: “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.”

The unchecked use of phrases like “the Lord spoke to me” has caused considerable harm in Christian communities. I have seen firsthand the chaos that results from such claims. Homes have been torn apart, relationships severed, and families fractured—all because someone believed they had received a personal revelation from God. In some cases, individuals have abandoned stable jobs, severed ties with loved ones, and wandered aimlessly, convinced they were acting on divine instruction.

These individuals are not insincere; many are deeply committed to their faith. However, they have become victims of misguided spiritual experiences, leading them into confusion and hardship. They live in fear, unable to reconcile their actions with the difficulties they now face—all because they trusted in a “message from the Lord” that had no biblical basis.

This leads me to ask a simple yet profound question: If the Lord has already established His church, as He declares in Matthew 16:18 and Acts 20:28, why would He instruct you to establish another? The Bible is clear that the church has already been founded by Christ Himself. There is no need to establish what He has already put in place. Any claim to the contrary is not from God.

Jesus warned us about the very confusion we see today. In Matthew 7:20-23, He cautions that not everyone who claims to know Him will enter the kingdom of heaven. Many will boast of works done in His name, only to hear Him say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” This sobering reality should remind us to be vigilant. We must guard our hearts and minds against false teachings and deceptive claims.

Romans 16:17-18 offers further counsel: “Mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Many who claim divine revelation today are driven more by personal ambition and self-interest than by a true desire to serve the Lord. Their persuasive words may sound convincing, but they lead people astray.

In light of these warnings, I urge you to seek sound biblical teaching, grounded in God’s Word. Test every spirit and every claim against the Scriptures, for it is through God’s Word that we find truth, guidance, and the assurance of His will.

I encourage you to study with a Church of Christ near you, where the foundation of every doctrine is the Bible, and nothing more. Let us be people of the Word, discerning the true voice of God in a world filled with competing voices.

Dr. Mike Udam is a School Teacher and Village Preacher Ogoja, Nigeria