"I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem"(Neh 2:12)

It is common today for certain religious people to describe their ideas and thoughts about God's work as though God directly gave them the idea. Generally they express such thoughts by statements like "God put it on my heart" or "I feel led or called to do this". It is interesting and perhaps surprising to some that this phrase is biblical in origin, as Nehemiah said, "I told no one what my God had put in my heart"(Neh 2:12). Though God spoke directly to Nehemiah, an examination of the Scriptures gives us no expectation of Him "putting things on our hearts" today.

Nehemiah used his position as the king's cupbearer to gain approval to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. This act was part of God's plan to restore His people to their land and bless them again, and thus Nehemiah calls it "what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem"(2:12). As God accomplished His purposes in the Bible, He used many different men from a variety of backgrounds. Like pawns in a larger game, God lifted up shepherds like Amos (Amos 1:1) to speak for Him, used a greedy, stubborn prophet like Balaam (Numbers 24) to declare His word, and inspired kings (Acts 2:30) at His whim. The Bible describes that process as "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets"(Heb 1:1). There was a time when God spoke directly to people, and that is why Nehemiah called his plan to rebuild the walls "what God had put in my heart".

However, the Hebrew writer, after telling us about "time past," tells us God "has in these last days spoken to us by His Son"(Heb 1:2). Rather than speaking through many different people at many different times, God now communicates with man through Jesus, His Son and spokesman. On the mount of transfiguration, Jesus appeared in a glorified state with Moses and Elijah, yet the Father declares, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"(Matt 17:5). If we do not listen to Jesus, we miss God-no matter what we feel God has put in our hearts.

Jesus also gave authority to His apostles to declare by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit what God wanted. He told Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom"(Matt 16:19) and to all the apostles He said, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you"(John 14:26). Please notice that this special promise of the Holy Spirit was only to the apostles-only they needed things Jesus said to them to be brought to remembrance. Thus we can trust that God put things in the hearts of both Jesus and the apostles, just as He had Nehemiah.

Many would think that such a promise would be repeated to all Christians, and that we could all have God speak to us directly and "put things on our hearts". However, the New Testament rings not with the tenor of Christians listening to an inner voice, but to the voice of God through Jesus and His apostles! Thus the first Christians "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine"(Acts 2:42) rather than their own thoughts. Paul warned the Galatians, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed"(Gal 1:8). He does not urge the churches there to listen to God speaking in their hearts, but to listen to His approved messengers. John ordered Christians "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God"(1 John 4:1). How would they test them? John gives them an inspired test (v. 2-3) rather than simply listening to their inner thoughts.

Most of all, Jude tells us to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints"(Jude 3). The faith of Jesus Christ has been delivered, and is in its finished form. God does not promise a second and third delivery; instead He tells us to "contend earnestly" for what is already revealed. The Bible is able to make us "complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work"(2 Tim 3:16-17). Can we be better than complete? God "has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness"(2 Pet 1:3). There is nothing we lack, if we follow His word-can that be true of our feelings?

The bottom line is God spoke to people directly in Bible times, but has not promised to speak to us "in our hearts" today. If what we think God is telling us is against what His word says, we know it is not from God. If it is the same as what His word says, we don't need it because we already have His word! Great care must be taken in claiming God is speaking just because we feel something. Remember the warning of the Proverbs: "Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar"(Prov 30:6).

Rather than promising to put things in our hearts, God wants us to take His words into our hearts and truly hear them! "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You"(Psalm 119:11). "Your law is within my heart"(Psalm 40:8). "I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts"(Jer 31:33). Listen for God where you know He is-in the Bible! ___Jacob Hudgins