2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Acts 20:32
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Scripture, being inspired- God breathed – is God’s authoritative Word. The texts above also tell us of the perfect sufficiency of Scripture for the Christian’s life.
We also are warned against adding to God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19). Should we do so, we will be found liars (Proverbs 30:5-6).
Bearing these things in mind, we should abstain from saying, “God told me,” unless we can cite book, chapter, and verse from Scripture. Whatever idea, notion, supposed sign, or voice a person might think is a word from God truly is not. Scripture is perfect, completed, and ever sufficient as God;s Word to us.
We should go to Scripture for our doctrine, practice, guidance, and everything we need to live as Christians. We should delight in God’s Word (Psalm 1:1-3), hiding it in our hearts (Psalm 119:9-11), and yielding to its power to renew our minds and transform our lives. We will find Scripture is indeed sufficient for our guidance.
As an example of this, a man once inquired how I knew I was called to preach if God had not spoken to me outside of Scripture. The Bible is still the answer. 1 Timothy 3:1 “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” God put the desire in my heart, so I knew I was called. I checked the rest of 1 Timothy 3, counseled with godly men who affirmed their confidence in my calling (We see a similar happening in Acts 13 when Saul and Barnabas had a calling from God.), and entered the preaching ministry confident of God’s calling according to God’s Word.
I am just as confident God’s Word is sufficient to guide me in every other area of life. He tells us it is, and thirty-nine years of Christian experience has tried and proven this great truth.
Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
The Baptist Sentinel 