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"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God" I John 4:1
Many years ago when I was in my late teens I remember having scriptures "pop out" to me when I would open my Bible. Every time it would happen I would take it as being a divine message from the most high. These scriptures, words, phrases, etc. would usually appear when I opened my Bible whenever I was "meditating" on a relationship. Not a relationship with the Most High, but a relationship with some guy I was liking. Sometimes I would ask a question in my mind such as "Is he the one?" as I am thumbing through the Bible. Then all of a sudden I would see a scripture about marriage, something like Rebecca and Issac and would take that to be a divine sign from God.
As time went on I begin getting more and more "signs" from all around that I was mistakenly think was from God. It would be on people's license plates, magazine covers, text books, etc. etc. However, down through the years nothing would ever manifest, and as I started learning the character of God, I learned that that is not how the Holy Spirit usually operate.
How God operates
God operates through His Word and by knowing His ways. We learn the ways and character of God by studying His Word, not randomly receiving "messages" even if they appear in the Bible. God speaks to our inward being mainly. Yes at times He may use a scripture in the Bible that would "pop out" to us when we need answers to questions. However, that is the exception and not the rule. And it should not become a daily occurrence that we randomly start opening our Bible and start trying to search for words that stick out. The Bible is not a magic bottle that we rub and a genie comes and grant us three wishes.
What set me free
What set me free was when I noticed that these "messages" would never come into fruition. Sometimes they would even contradict the Word of God. That is how you know if something is coming from the Holy Spirit or not. If you are "mediating" on a relationship with someone who has questionable character and you keep seeing scriptures encouraging "patience, long suffering" you might take it as being a sign from God. However, is it really from God? Because the Word states that "a wicked generation seeks a sign from God" Matthew 16:4.
Would God tell you to waste your time with someone whose character does not reflect Him? Would God, who wants the best for you, tell you to get romantically involve with someone who does not even have a relationship with Him. Is that the God we serve?
Bibliomancy is a form of divination
What really set me free was when I watched a youtube video that called bibliomancy a form of divination. And to top it off, when I begin searching the term "bibliomancy" on youtube, a lot of new age/wicca results showed up. Some of the new agers were even using the bible to try and divine the future. So once I realized that, I knew that looking everywhere for messages to pop out was not of God.
In conclusion, you learn to hear the Voice of God by studying His Word, praying, and seeking wise counsel from other Believers.
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