When discussing concerns about Jesus Calling, another book often enters the conversation: God Calling. Many Christians have never heard of it, yet it played a significant role in shaping one of today’s most popular devotionals.

Understanding the background of God Calling helps us appreciate why biblical discernment is so important.

What Is God Calling?

God Calling was first published in 1932 by A. J. Russell. The book contains daily devotional readings that were reportedly received by two anonymous women identified only as “The Two Listeners.”

According to the introduction, these women spent time quietly waiting, listening, and recording messages they believed came directly from Jesus Christ. The entries are written in the first person, as though Jesus Himself is speaking.

Unlike a devotional based on studying Scripture, God Calling presents these writings as personal messages received through a listening practice.

Why Does This Matter?

As believers, we should always ask one important question:

Does this practice reflect what Scripture teaches?

Throughout the Bible, God certainly speaks to His people. He spoke through prophets, apostles, visions, dreams, and ultimately through His Son, Jesus Christ. But those forms of revelation were part of God’s redemptive plan and are recorded for us in Scripture.

Today, God continues to speak through His written Word as the Holy Spirit opens our understanding.

The Bible never instructs Christians to empty their minds, wait for dictated messages, or write down words they believe Jesus is personally speaking.

Instead, believers are repeatedly encouraged to devote themselves to Scripture.

The Danger of Subjective Revelation

One of the greatest dangers of practices like those behind God Calling is that they shift our confidence from God’s objective Word to our subjective impressions.

Our feelings can be sincere.

Our impressions can seem real.

Our emotions can be powerful.

But none of those things carry the authority of Scripture.

When we begin treating personal thoughts as though they are God’s direct words, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between God’s truth, our own desires, and even spiritual deception.

That is why Scripture continually calls us to test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

The Connection to Jesus Calling

Jesus Calling author Sarah Young acknowledged that God Calling influenced her desire to write devotional messages in the first person from Jesus’ perspective.

While the two books are not identical, they share an important similarity: both present messages written as though Jesus Himself is speaking directly to the reader.

That similarity has caused many Bible teachers and pastors to urge Christians to exercise discernment.

A Better Way to Hear God’s Voice

If you long to hear God’s voice, you don’t have to wonder where to look.

Open your Bible.

Every page reveals God’s character.

Every promise points us to His faithfulness.

Every command teaches us how to live.

The Holy Spirit faithfully uses Scripture to teach, convict, encourage, and transform God’s people.

You never have to question whether God’s written Word is truly His voice.

He has already spoken.

Final Thoughts

The issue isn’t whether God Calling contains comforting thoughts. Many of them sound encouraging.

The real question is whether Christians should embrace a practice of receiving and recording messages presented as the very words of Jesus.

Scripture calls us to something even more certain.

Rather than seeking fresh revelations, we can build our lives on God’s unchanging Word. The Bible is sufficient, trustworthy, and able to equip us for every good work.

When we treasure Scripture above every other source of spiritual guidance, we place our confidence exactly where God intends it to be.