Is a Prompt from God a Valid Reason to Check on Friend
Discerning a Prompt from God to Check on a Friend
The concept of discerning a divine prompt to check on a friend is rooted in biblical teachings on the Holy Spirit's role in guiding believers. In 1 John 4:1, the apostle warns, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" [1, 2]. This caution against uncritically following every spiritual impulse underscores the importance of discernment.
The Bible provides several instances where individuals are guided by the Spirit or have experiences that could be interpreted as divine prompts. For example, Romans 1:9 indicates Paul's deep spiritual connection and sensitivity to God's guidance in his life and ministry [3]. Similarly, in Revelation 19:10, an angel instructs John not to worship him, emphasizing the importance of directing worship appropriately, suggesting a nuanced understanding of spiritual guidance [4].
In Christian theology, the discernment of spiritual prompts is often associated with the work of the Holy Spirit. According to Aquinas, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are perfections that dispose humans to be amenable to God's promptings, suggesting that such discernment is a grace-enabled capacity [5]. Charles Hodge, representing the Reformed tradition, emphasizes that the Holy Spirit's role is not to reveal new truths but to illuminate the mind to apprehend revealed truths, implying that discernment involves understanding and applying Scripture [9].
The Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, interprets 1 John 4:1 as a call to caution and scrutiny regarding spiritual claims. Henry suggests that believers should not follow every pretender to the Spirit of God without discernment [6]. This cautious approach is echoed in the Reformed tradition by John Calvin, who discusses the importance of charity and doing good to all, which could include checking on friends, as an expression of Christian love [8].
In Jewish tradition, as seen in the Midrash Rabbah, there's an emphasis on the responsibility to act based on what one knows or has seen, with implications for how one treats others, including friends [7]. This responsibility could be interpreted as including checking on friends if one feels prompted to do so, provided the prompt is discerned carefully.
The key to discerning whether a prompt is from God involves testing the spirit behind the prompt, as advised in 1 John 4:1. This testing involves considering whether the prompt aligns with Scripture and is accompanied by a genuine concern for the well-being of the friend, reflecting the love and kindness that characterize Christian charity [1, 2, 8].
Ultimately, the decision to check on a friend based on a perceived divine prompt should be guided by a careful and prayerful discernment process, informed by Scripture and a commitment to loving others. As John Gill notes, confidence in prayer and action, including checking on others, is rooted in keeping God's commandments and trusting in His promises [10].
The practice of checking on friends in response to a perceived divine prompt, when done with discernment and in love, can be a meaningful expression of Christian care and community. It reflects a broader theological emphasis on the importance of interpersonal relationships and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers in their interactions with others.
Sources
- I John “I John 4:1 (BBE) — My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.”
- 1 John “1 John 4:1 (NASB) — Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
- Romans “For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, -- Romans 1:9”
- Revelation “I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.” -- Revelation 19:10”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of the Gifts, Art. 2: Article: Whether the gifts are necessary to man for salvation? I answer that, As stated above (Article [1]), the gifts are perfections of man, whereby he is disposed so as to be amenable to the promptings of God. Wherefore in those matters where the prompting of reason is not sufficient, and there is need for the prompting of the Holy Ghost, there is, in consequence, need for a gift. Now man's reason is perfected by God in two ways: first, with its natural perfection, to wit, the natural light of r”
- 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 4:1: The apostle, having said that God's dwelling in and with us may be known by the Spirit that he hath given us, intimates that that Spirit may be discerned and distinguished from other spirits that appear in the world; and so here, I. He calls the disciples, to whom he writes, to caution and scrutiny about the spirits and spiritual professors that had now risen. 1. To caution: "Beloved, believe not every spirit; regard not, trust not, follow not, every pretender to the Spirit of God, or every professor of vision, or inspiration, or revelation from God." Truth is the ”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Vayikra Rabbah 6:1: “And if a person will sin, and hear the voice of adjuration, and he is a witness, who either saw or knew; if he does not tell, he shall bear his iniquity” (Leviticus 5:1). “And if a person will sin, and hear the voice of adjuration, and he is a witness, who either saw or knew…” – that is what the verse said: “Do not be a witness against your friend in vain…” (Proverbs 24:28). “Do not be a witness…in vain” – this is Israel, as it is stated: “You are My witnesses, the utterance of the Lord, and I am God” (Isaiah 43:12). “Against your friend” – this is the Holy”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: drawn between sacred oblations and alms as now corresponding to the offerings under the Law. 6. Moreover, that we may not weary in well-doing (as would otherwise forthwith and infallibly be the case), we must add the other quality in the Apostle’s enumeration, “Charity suffiereth long, and is kind, is not easily provoked,” ( 1 Cor. 13:4 ). The Lord enjoins us to do good to all without exception, though the greater part, if estimated by their own merit, are most unworthy of it. But Scripture subjoins a most excellent reason, when it”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 9: by God in His Word ( 1 Cor. ii. 10-16 ). It is not, therefore, a revelation of new truths, but an illumination of the mind, so that it apprehends the truth, excellence, and glory of things already revealed. And second, 16 This experience is depicted in the Word of God. The Bible gives us not only the facts concerning God, and Christ, ourselves, and our relations to our Maker and Redeemer, but also records the legitimate effects of those truths on the minds of believers. So that we cannot appeal to our own feelings or inward experience, as ”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 3:21: And whatsoever we ask we receive of him,.... According to his promise, Mat 7:7; that is, whatever is asked according to the will of God, in the name of Christ, and for his sake, and in faith, nothing wavering, but believing in God, in his covenant and promises, for these are provisos in the case; and such as ask in this way may exercise an holy confidence that they shall receive; and indeed they do receive what they ask for; see Jo1 5:14; because we keep his commandments; not that keeping the commands of God is the meritorious cause of receiving anything from him; f”