Personal experience is a meaningful part of the Christian life. Many believers can point to answered prayers, times of God’s guidance, or seasons in which their faith was strengthened through difficult circumstances. Such experiences can encourage us and deepen our walk with Christ.
But can personal experience determine what is true?
Christians from many different traditions—and even followers of other religions—often describe powerful spiritual experiences. If feelings or experiences alone determine truth, how should we evaluate conflicting claims?
The Bible repeatedly calls believers to test what they hear, see, and experience. The Bereans examined the Scriptures to verify Paul’s teaching (Acts 17:11), and the apostle John instructed Christians to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). Jesus also warned that miraculous experiences, by themselves, are not proof that someone truly knows Him (Matthew 7:21–23).
The accompanying Apples of Gold article explores the proper place of personal experience in the Christian life and explains why Scripture—not our feelings or experiences—must remain the believer’s final authority.
Questions for Discussion
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What role has personal experience played in your own walk with Christ?
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How should Christians distinguish between genuine spiritual experiences and personal feelings?
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Why do you think Scripture repeatedly tells believers to test what they experience?
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Can sincere people have powerful experiences and still reach false conclusions? Why or why not?
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How should believers respond when a personal experience appears to conflict with Scripture?
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In what practical ways can Christians ensure that God’s Word shapes their experiences rather than allowing their experiences to shape their understanding of God’s Word?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Related Apples of Gold article: