My Experiences: To Trust or Not ToTrust

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The Transfiguration: A Glimpse of Glory

The Transfiguration stands as one of Scripture's most extraordinary moments, providing Jesus' disciples a preview of the coming Kingdom. Recorded in Matthew 17:1-8, this event occurred shortly after Jesus had revealed to His disciples that He would die for their sins and called them to total commitment. On a high mountain, Jesus was transformed before Peter, James, and John - His face shining like the sun and His clothes becoming brilliant white. Moses and Elijah appeared, speaking with Jesus in this glorified state.

Understanding Divine Encounters

Peter's response to this spectacular vision reveals much about human nature when encountering God's glory. Overcome with awe, he suggested building three shelters to preserve the moment indefinitely. Yet God interrupted, declaring from a bright cloud: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (Matthew 17:5). The disciples fell face-down, terrified by this direct divine intervention.

The Supremacy of Scripture

Years later, Peter reflected on this unparalleled experience in 2 Peter 1:17-20. Despite witnessing Jesus' transfigured glory and hearing God's voice, Peter emphasized that we have "the prophetic word more fully confirmed." He insisted that Scripture itself is more trustworthy than even the most dramatic personal experiences.

Discerning When to Trust Experiences

When Experiences Can Be Trusted

Learning from past mistakes and their consequences
Gaining practical wisdom through life challenges
Developing discernment through previous interactions
Recognizing patterns that align with biblical truth

When Experiences Cannot Be Trusted

Mountaintop emotional highs that may not reflect everyday reality
Past supernatural encounters that shouldn't become expectations
Visual experiences that can be deceptive
Personal interpretations that contradict Scripture
Feelings-based theology disconnected from biblical truth

Living in God's Moments

Life consists of moments, and how we handle them shapes our spiritual journey. True contentment comes not from chasing experiences or "dopamine hits," but from finding satisfaction in godliness (1 Timothy 6:6). The challenge is maintaining biblical perspective while:

Appreciating life's positive moments without idolizing them
Enduring difficult seasons with faith
Walking the narrow path even when alone
Basing decisions on Scripture rather than feelings
Recognizing that our hearts can be deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9)

The Foundation of Faith

While experiences can enrich our spiritual journey, they must never supersede Scripture's authority. Our hope rests not in dramatic encounters or emotional highs, but in Christ's finished work. The Gospel remains "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16), transcending all personal experiences and feelings.

True spiritual maturity means anchoring our faith in God's unchanging Word while properly contextualizing the experiences He allows in our lives. This balanced approach enables believers to walk confidently on the narrow path, guided by Scripture and strengthened through both mountaintop and valley experiences.