How should a Christian view Jesus Calling?

Fall Apologetics Culture

TL;DR:

Christians should view Sarah Young's Jesus Calling with skepticism as it claims to contain messages she received from God. But God has already spoken through His Word and issues harsh warnings to those who add to or take away from it.

what does the bible say?

In the devotional book Jesus Calling, the author, Sarah Young, shares what she says are messages she received from Jesus. This claim counters the Christian understanding that the Bible is a closed revelation, meaning that God's word is complete. Though Young claims the messages are from Christ, she hedges by saying her words are not on par with the Bible. But her underlying claim about messages from God can cause some readers of Jesus Calling to equate the author's words with divine revelation.

Claiming to have received further messages from God is akin to alleging new revelation, which implies content on a par with the Bible. In Scripture, God expresses a harsh warning for people who falsely claim to speak for Him (Deuteronomy 18:20). Scripture also warns about adding to or detracting from God's revelation (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Revelation 22:18-19). Though those passages pertain to limited content within the Bible, the principle remains: Claiming revelation from God carries serious implications.

Only God can read hearts (1 Samuel 16:7), so Christians cannot fully know someone's intentions. But the Bible testifies to itself as the source for life guidance and indicates that we should test every claim against what Scripture says (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 John 4:1). This implies that believers must approach books like Jesus Calling with a great deal of skepticism.

from the old testament

God warns His people twice not to add to or detract from His Word and commands (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32). Though the historical context was the Mosaic Law, the principle still stands: Human beings have no right to add to the Holy-Spirit-inspired Scriptures. Jesus Calling presents itself as given to the author from God to the author, Sarah Young.
Scripture warns of God's rebuke on people who add to His words (Proverbs 30:6) or who falsely claim to speak His words (Deuteronomy 18:20). Christians cannot judge Young's intent with Jesus Calling, but the book leaves the impression that the author is claiming to be writing words God gave her, which many will read as revealed Scripture.
Only God can read hearts (1 Samuel 16:7), but the motivation behind claiming inspiration from God is sometimes to seek one's own glory, not God's. All Christians should have the attitude of the psalmist: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory" (Psalm 115:1).

from the new testament

Through the apostle John, God warns against adding to His Revelation: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19).
Scripture has already been fully revealed, and God tells us its value "for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Other resources may offer advice or counsel, but should not be presented as words of God, which Jesus Calling claims to be.
John warns, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). The Bible is the standard by which other theological resources must be judged.

implications for today

In a world filled with podcasts, devotionals, influencers, and bestselling Christian books, it's easy to assume that if something is encouraging, it must be from God. But God has already given His people the one source that is completely trustworthy: His Word. Every spiritual teacher, devotional, sermon, and book—including Jesus Calling—must be measured against Scripture, not the other way around (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). No author, no matter how sincere or gifted, should ever occupy the place that belongs to God's revealed Word alone.

This doesn't mean you must reject every Christian book, but it does mean you should read them with discernment. One of the greatest safeguards against deception is becoming deeply familiar with the Bible. Bank tellers learn to recognize counterfeit money by handling genuine currency so often that fakes become obvious. Likewise, the more you know God's Word, the more quickly you'll recognize teaching that doesn't align with it (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). Rather than searching for new messages from God, spend your energy listening carefully to the message He has already given. The voice you need most is not a new revelation but the eternal Word that God has already spoken.

understand

In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young claims to have received messages from God, which she pens in her book.
Scripture attests to itself as the source of God's truth and warns against those who claim to be speaking for Him.
Believers must be so familiar with Scripture that they can recognize counterfeit spiritual messages when they hear them.

reflect

How do you personally determine whether a Christian resource is helping you grow in your faith or beginning to compete with the authority of God's Word?
How do you guard against the spiritual deceptions that are so prevalent in the world today?
How can you become more familiar with Scripture so that you are able to recognize teachings or messages that do not align with God's truth?

engage

Why is it dangerous to "speak" on behalf of God?
Other than Jesus Calling, what other well-known spiritual books should Christians regard with skepticism?
What role should the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and the community of believers play in helping Christians evaluate spiritual claims and avoid deception?

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