It is not uncommon for some people to claim they have seen visions or appearances of Jesus Christ. As Christians, how should we respond when someone says “I saw Jesus”? Here are some biblical principles to keep in mind:
Test the spirits
1 John 4:1 tells us: “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.” We are instructed to test and examine any spiritual claims carefully rather than blindly accepting them. Visions and supernatural experiences can sometimes be false or deceptive in nature.
Look at the fruit
Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20 that we can recognize false prophets by their fruit. We should look at the lifestyle, character, and teachings of those who claim to have seen Jesus. Do their lives show the fruits of repentance and the Holy Spirit? Do their teachings align with Scripture? If not, that is a sign we should be cautious about their claims.
Compare it to Scripture
God’s Word is our ultimate authority when evaluating spiritual claims and experiences. In Acts 17:11, the Bereans were commended for examining the apostles’ teachings with Scripture. We too should compare any visions or appearances of Jesus to what the Bible says about Jesus. If the Jesus someone claims to see promotes teachings contrary to Scripture, we can know that vision is false.
Consider the purpose
Why is this person sharing their vision of Jesus? Is it to bring glory to God and point people to the Jesus revealed in Scripture? Or do they seem focused on drawing attention to their experience and themselves? True experiences from God will align with His purposes and character as revealed in the Bible.
Seek confirmation
In 2 Corinthians 13:1 we read: “Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” When someone claims an appearance of Jesus, it can be helpful to seek out other mature believers who can help evaluate and confirm whether the experience lines up with Scripture and the Spirit’s work.
Point them to the Word
Rather than obsessing over visions and mystical experiences, our focus should be on knowing Jesus through His Word. As Jesus said to Thomas in John 20:29, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” When someone shares a vision of Jesus, point them to the Gospel accounts and the Bible as the best way to know Him accurately.
Pray for discernment
We should pray for wisdom, discernment and guidance from the Holy Spirit when evaluating supernatural claims. Testing spirits, examining fruit, and comparing to Scripture requires discernment that only God can provide. As we stay grounded in His Word, the Spirit will lead us to truth.
Look for Christ-exalting purpose
God may occasionally grant visions of Jesus to specific people in unique circumstances, such as the apostle Paul’s vision on the road to Damascus. However, in Scripture such experiences always served to exalt and glorify Jesus Christ and advance His Gospel mission. So we can examine alleged visions of Jesus in light of their Christ-centered purpose and fruit.
Remember Satan disguises himself
2 Corinthians 11:14 warns that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. We know that Satan seeks to deceive people through counterfeit signs, miracles, and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). So alleged visions of Jesus could potentially be demonic deceptions. We must test all such claims carefully against Scripture and rely on the Spirit for discernment.
Look for gospel-centered content
Any genuine vision from Jesus would focus people on the good news of salvation through repentance and faith in Christ. When someone claims to have seen Jesus, ask what specific gospel truths did Jesus reveal to them? Did He point to the cross, His resurrection, grace, forgiveness of sins, repentance? Beware of alleged visions that focus on extrascriptural revelation.
Avoid sensationalism
Sometimes people who claim to see visions of Jesus are seeking attention, fame, or influence. True experiences with Jesus should produce humility, awe, and a desire to glorify God rather than draw attention to self. We can gently but firmly redirect sensational claims away from personal experiences to the sure testimony of Scripture.
Guard your own heart
While gently correcting false claims, we must also guard our own hearts from pride, cynicism, and arrogance. Let us humbly acknowledge that God does occasionally grant visions to His people. And even false claims may be sincere but misguided. So we should evaluate with Scripture while also showing grace and compassion to those who may be deceived.
Focus on the risen Jesus
Whether evaluating a visionary claim or simply ministering to others, our real goal should be pointing people to a saving relationship with the resurrected Jesus through repentance and faith. Mystical experiences can easily become a distraction from the Gospel. But if we keep people focused on Christ and His Word, their lives can be transformed by His Spirit.
Trust God’s providence
Ultimately we recognize that God in His providence allows false visions as well as genuine ones according to His purposes. But we can trust His Spirit to lead His people into truth when we humbly rely on Scripture (John 16:13). By grounding ourselves in God’s Word, we can discern truthful visions from false ones.
Pursue sound doctrine
The best way to discern true visions from false ones is to know sound Bible doctrine. Solid understanding of the Gospel, the nature of God, Christ, salvation and other key teachings helps us accurately assess any reported spiritual experiences. So we should emphasize growing in biblical and theological knowledge.
Remember spiritual maturity is key
Younger or immature believers can sometimes be deceived by visions, dreams, and mystical experiences. Spiritual maturity, knowledge of Scripture, and discernment are vital. Providing mentoring and discipleship for young believers can protect them from deception and help them develop discernment.
Rely on the Holy Spirit
In John 16:13 Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth. As we stay filled with and sensitive to the Spirit through prayer, worship, and obedience, we can grow in discernment to perceive truth from error. Submitting alleged visions to the Spirit’s scrutiny is essential.
Take concerns to leaders
If someone continues advocating a questionable visionary experience, it may need to be addressed by church elders and leaders. Their spiritual authority, discernment, and grounding in Scripture can help restrain false teachings that may arise from alleged visions (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
Remember God’s power and glory
Encounters with the living God are awe-inspiring and breathtaking. Isaiah 6 shows us that getting a glimpse of God’s glory humbles us and fills us with godly fear. So alleged visions of Jesus should be carefully examined in light of Scripture to ensure proper reverence for God’s power and glory.
Consider mental illness
In some cases, alleged visions of Jesus may be linked to mental illness involving hallucinations or delusions. Particularly if a pattern of far-fetched claims persists, compassionate medical care and treatment may be needed more than theological correction.
Point to Christ’s life here on earth
Jesus during His earthly ministry warned against an emphasis on signs and wonders (John 4:48). He pointed people to the concrete testimony of His teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection recorded in Scripture. We can gently redirect those claiming visions to these definitive historical accounts of His life.
Avoid arguments
Second Timothy 2:23-25 instructs us to avoid foolish disputes and arguments over controversial speculations. So if someone insists on advocating an alleged vision that lacks biblical support, we can choose not to argue but rather gently point them back to Scripture and urge them to seek godly counsel.
Emphasize Bible study
Rather than obsessing over visions, we should emphasize diligent Bible study. Comprehensive Bible reading gives us a complete picture of Jesus. Memorizing and meditating on Scripture transforms our minds to know Christ better than any vision could.
Focus on the Gospel
The apostles’ preaching focused not on their experiences with the risen Christ but on His death and resurrection for our salvation. When addressing alleged visions, we can redirect the discussion to the Gospel which is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16).
Remember Satan’s deceptions
Satan uses counterfeit signs and wonders to deceive people (Matthew 24:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:9). Some alleged visions of Jesus could be demonic deceptions. We should approach vision claims with caution given Satan’s ability to masquerade as an angel of light.
Point to future hope
One day Jesus will return visibly for all to see (Revelation 1:7). We can redirect excessive focus on alleged visions to our future hope and coming glory: “We shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). This can reorient us to Scriptural truth.
Practice godly discernment
Proverbs 15:14 says “The discerning heart seeks knowledge.” As we grow in biblical wisdom and discernment, we will be able to carefully and lovingly evaluate alleged visions to determine their trustworthiness and helpfulness for pointing people to biblical truth.
Appeal to reason and logic
The Bereans examined Paul’s teachings logically to see if they aligned with Scripture (Acts 17:11). We can appeal to facts, reason, logic, and evidence when assessing visionary claims. Does what the person saw reasonably conform to the Jesus portrayed in the Bible?
Focus on Christ’s sacrifice for sins
A God-given vision would seek to magnify Jesus and His atoning work on the cross. When someone shares a visionary experience, we can ground the discussion by focusing on Christ’s finished work that provides forgiveness of sins when we repent and believe.
Remember many are called but few are chosen
Jesus said wide is the gate that leads to destruction and many enter therein (Matthew 7:13-14). Alleged visions of Jesus must be carefully weighed since many will claim to have supernatural experiences, but few may actually have genuine encounters with Him.
Look for spiritual fruit
Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). But false visions tend to lack spiritual fruit in the person’s life beyond initial excitement. Do they have a changed heart? Greater love, joy, peace? Examining spiritual fruit can help reveal true visions.
Avoid blanket rejection or acceptance
Since genuine visions of Jesus do occasionally happen, we should not automatically reject all such accounts. However, neither should we naively accept every claim. Careful discernment guided by Scripture and the Spirit must be applied on a case-by-case basis.
Remember Satan flees from Christ
James 4:7 instructs that if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. The name of Jesus has authority to dispel any demonic apparitions or deceptions. One test of alleged visions is to see if they dissipate when confronted in Jesus’ powerful name.
Point to Scripture
God’s authoritative written Word contained in the Bible is the ultimate determiner of truth when evaluating spiritual experiences and visions. As Hebrews 4:12 says, Scripture judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Any genuine vision will align with Scripture.
Pursue humility and repentance
After Paul’s Damascus road vision of Jesus, he humbled himself and spent 3 days praying and fasting (Acts 9). His life was marked by ongoing humility, repentance, and reliance on God’s grace. We can lovingly encourage similar qualities in those claiming visions of Jesus.
Remember unbelievers can have visions
Saul before becoming Paul was an unbeliever when he saw a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). So we must not automatically assume visions of Jesus indicate genuine faith. The content and fruits of a vision must be carefully evaluated against Scripture.
Devote yourself to Scripture
While we should approach visions with discernment, our priority should be consuming, knowing, and following God’s Word (Joshua 1:8). Scripture is sufficient for life, godliness, and discerning truth from deception (2 Timothy 3:16-17), including evaluating alleged visions.
Seek godly counsel
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” When someone claims repeated visions that are biblically suspect, we should urge them to seek guidance from godly, biblically-grounded church leaders who can properly evaluate their experiences.
Remember unbelievers can perform signs
Jesus said false messiahs and prophets will arise who perform signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24). Miracles, signs, wonders, and supernatural experiences are not sure evidence of genuine salvation or true visions from God. We must test all claims carefully against Scripture.
Ask questions
1 John 4:1 tells us not to believe every spirit but to test them. So when someone shares a vision of Jesus, it’s appropriate to politely ask questions to understand the exact nature, content, purpose, and fruits of what they experienced to evaluate if it aligns with Scripture.
Focus on Christ’s character
Visions of Jesus should emphasize His attributes and character as revealed in the Bible, such as His holiness, grace, righteousness, mercy, gentleness, and compassion. Any vision portraying Jesus in unbiblical ways should be rejected as false.
Point to the apostles’ experiences
The apostles saw Jesus personally both during His earthly ministry and after His resurrection. We have their authoritative, eye-witness testimonies recorded for us in Scripture. When someone shares a vision of Jesus, we can point them to the apostles’ accounts rather than unverifiable subjective experiences.
Remember fellowship with Christ
John emphasizes fellowship with Christ impacts us deeply (1 John 1:3). Mystical encounters with Jesus should be assessed in light of how they influence one’s relationship with Him. Do they produce greater reverence, obedience, awe, repentance and holy living?
Avoid making firm conclusions
When evaluating alleged visions of Jesus, we should avoid being dogmatic about definitive conclusions unless clear evidence from Scripture and godly counsel allows it. Otherwise, humility and grace should characterize our response as we encourage biblical discernment.
Encourage prayer and fasting
After Peter, James and John witnessed the transfiguration, Jesus told them not to share the vision until after His resurrection (Matthew 17:9). We can encourage prayer and fasting to gain spiritual wisdom in discerning alleged visions rather than quickly spreading sensational claims.
Remember Satan masquerades as an angel of light
We must remember that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, so alleged visions of Jesus could actually be demonic deceptions (2 Corinthians 11:14). Scripture warns us that Satan can perform counterfeit signs, miracles and wonders (Exodus 7:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:9).
Point to Christ’s resurrection appearances
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary, the disciples, 500 people, James, Saul and others. When addressing alleged visions of Jesus, we can point people to Scripture’s authoritative accounts of Christ’s resurrection appearances rather than unverifiable modern visions.
Remain gracious and loving
As we evaluate alleged visions and experiences, we must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Our goal should be people’s salvation and spiritual growth rather than just proving ourselves right. Let us share discernment graciously for God’s glory.