In our modern church landscape, many define spirituality by what they feel instead of what God has revealed. Emotional highs, dramatic encounters, signs, and wonders are often viewed as the true evidence of God’s presence. Yet Scripture calls us to something far more enduring and far more certain, the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

Jesus delivers a sobering warning in Matthew 7:21–23. Many will point to miracles and mighty works as proof of their faith, yet He will declare, “I never knew you, away from me, you evildoers.” Experience alone is not proof of salvation. A heart captivated by the gospel, marked by repentance and obedience, is.

The Question We Must Ask

How can believers guard against false fire, when spiritual experiences are elevated above biblical truth?

Scripture speaks clearly. In 1 John 4:1 we are commanded, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Emotional experiences can be stirring, yet not every stirring is from the Holy Spirit. False movements often imitate spiritual power, drawing people not to Christ but to spectacle, manipulation, or confusion.

Paul warns in 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 that the lawless one will deceive through “all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie.” Feelings can be powerful, but deception often rides the wave of excitement and sensation.

Faith Built on the Word

True faith is not born from emotional intensity. Romans 10:17 reminds us, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Feelings fluctuate, but the Word of God stands firm. When emotion becomes the engine of our faith rather than the fruit of our faith, we become spiritually unstable. Ephesians 4:14 warns against being tossed about by every new teaching or trend.

The Holy Spirit certainly works powerfully in the lives of believers. Yet His ministry always points us back to Christ and His truth. Jesus says in John 16:13 that the Spirit “will guide you into all the truth.” The Spirit does not exist to produce random spiritual sensations but to form Christlike disciples anchored in Scripture.

True revival is measured not by emotional intensity, but by gospel clarity, repentance, and obedience.

Call to Discernment and Depth

Spiritual maturity is not about chasing spiritual moments, but about walking faithfully with Christ every day. Test the spirits, not by the thrill of an experience, but by the truth of the gospel. Let your confidence rest in the crucified and risen Christ, not in the rise and fall of your emotions.

Ask yourself: Am I pursuing emotional experiences for their own sake, or am I pursuing Christ and His Word?

Colossians 2:6–7 gives the foundation and direction. “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”