There is fear, and much distrust today about those who say they have seen a vision from the Lord. It was not always that way here. In the early days of the church, in this country, it was a very common thing. Why is that? Because at that time, saints were encouraged to seek the Spirit, learn everything they could experience, and to share it with their fellowmen/women; just as the Spirit had shown them. It worked.

It would take a real novice, not to see that there are many who proclaim things they have heard from God, visions, dreams etc., when they haven’t. That is never a reason to stop believing in something that is very scriptural and is a part of the truly born-again believers experience. Ezekiel, saw visions of God. Daniel, had understanding in all visions and dreams. Even Hosea recorded, “I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets” Hosea 12:10. Of course, if one believes the prophets were taken out in the New Testament, it all makes no sense.

This over-caution about visions today, is a ploy of the enemy to stop the true flow of the Spirit. Strange, back when, we weren’t so worried about it. It’s because we were encouraged to have spiritual discernment; and the gift of discerning of Spirits, was not a rare thing. It was part of the Church. What has likely made many folk anxious about this, is the idea, that only the leadership can discern things in the Spirit. The saints have no true gifts from God; they must depend on the word of some man, for spiritual things.

What’s troubling, is that we are missing so much of what was given to us by the blood of Jesus Christ. It’s no wonder many have resorted to all kinds of programs and substitutes; men’s religion, is always unfulfilling. It cannot even begin to compare with the moving, actions and revelations of the Spirit. False prophets, false teachers, false brethren, have always been around; in the old day, in Christ’s time and Paul said, in the NT church. It has always been the Spirit, that would know the difference; the Spirit alone.

Let people talk on and on, about what they may have seen. Truthfully, it only takes a few sentences, to discern if it is more about self, or it is some of man’s talk. If we are full of the Spirit, as we should be, there is no fear that we will be led astray. Again, why do we think the Spirit is a teacher and a true discerner anyway. Young men are supposed to be having some visions; true Holy Ghost insight, that they can share with the rest of the Body of Christ.

“In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men.” Paul said, in 2 Corinthians 12, “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.”

Let us also see things; by the Holy Spirit of God.

~ Robert Blackburn

Robert Blackburn