God's Word TRUMPS Personal Experience
Friday, July 11, 2025
“Do not say of any error, ‘It is a mere matter of opinion.’ No man indulges an error of judgment without sooner or later tolerating an error in practice.” – C.H. Spurgeon
“God promises to always give us what we need, but not everything that we want,” I have told our congregation on more than one occasion… and I can back that up with Scripture.
“Give us this day our daily bread…” Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:11.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
And yet, despite these Bible passages – and the one in 2 Corinthians 12 where Paul prayed three times to have his thorn in the flesh removed but God said no each time because He had a better plan – I had someone walk out of church on me for saying what I did.
After the service, I stopped by the gentleman’s tiny house to discuss the matter. Basing his belief on personal experience instead of biblical truth, he claimed that every time he had asked God for something, God had given it to him… as if God was some sort of genie that was required to grant us an unlimited number of wishes.
I tried to set my brother-in-Christ straight, but I’m not sure that he was buying it… despite the fact that he was in poor health and his personal life was in shambles. Sadly, he was relying on experience – and perhaps some false teaching from some prosperity gospel peddlers – instead of the authoritative word of God.
That is just one reason why I strongly caution people about watching or listening to Joel Osteen or buying any of his books. IMHO, he adds just enough truth to make his heresy easy to swallow.
“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” Galatians 5:9 (NIV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
