I heard the story of a young man who claimed that God led him to take a decision. Everyone connected to him counselled otherwise. The step he was about to take was lacking wisdom. But he insisted he was led. Years later, the decision led him to an unexpected place. His problem was prioritizing revelation over experience.
Friend, don’t promote revelation above experience (Hebrews 13:8). Experience may not sound glamorous, but its depth brings safety and stability. Revelation brings progress, but wise experience brings stability. God often positions people with revelation alongside those with experience (Acts 18:24-28).
Experience won’t always cancel revelation, but it will balance it. Moses listened to experienced Jethro, though Jethro was not on the mountain of encounters like Moses (Exodus 18:12-24). Some people may not hear what you hear, but they have been walking with God longer. Listen to them.
Eli used experience to guide Samuel in pursuing divine revelation (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Even backsliding Eli had something to teach Samuel. Don’t think God has abandoned elders – they are at the backend, providing covering, balance, and safety (Proverbs 4:1-7).
What you celebrate as revelation might be lesser than God’s plan. You need people who have walked with God to help you understand His ways. Older men with experience lamented the new temple, refusing to celebrate something inferior (Ezra 3:12-13).
Learning from the experience of others is wisdom (Philippians 4:9). Learning from your own experience is regret. It is not the best teacher. If you don’t learn from other people’s experiences, you will learn through costly mistakes (1 Corinthians 10:6). It is either you learn by instruction or you learn by destruction.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria