Personal words from God

Recently I read an article by Bob DeWaay in which he discusses the relevance of personal words from God.  The address for the article is: http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue98.htm.    Can we as Christians hear from God in an extra-scriptural manner?  Personally, I feel a little torn about it.  Most of the Spirit-inspired/directed revelations I’ve had are directions to scripture or being reminded of scripture.   John 14:25-26 says “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.  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 that I have said to you.”  This seems different than trying to hear something utterly beyond scripture from the Lord.

The references to Deuteronomy 13 and 18 about prophecy really caused me to think.   According to these passages, it would appear that any predictive prophecies must be 100% accurate.  This would make any prophets who have erred false prophets.  That seems a bit harsh doesn’t it?  I’m hoping this post will get us all thinking and discussing.  What do you think?  What are the nature of personal words if we do receive them, or might it not be helpful to veer away from this terminology altogether and just speak of providential direction of God as Dewaay suggests?  In what sense does the Holy Spirit lead us?  Blessings,

Mike