Why Christians Should Not "Put Their Fleece Out" Like Gideon
Why Christians Should Not
"Put Their Fleece Out"
Like Gideon
Why Christians Should Not “Put Their Fleece Out” Like Gideon
The story of Gideon in Judges 6 often captivates believers because of his "fleece test" to confirm God’s will. Gideon asked God for a miraculous sign, first for the fleece to be wet and the ground dry, and then the opposite, to confirm that God had indeed called him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. While this story reveals God’s patience and grace, using it as a model for decision-making today is misguided for Christians who have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
The Context of Gideon’s Test
Gideon’s request for a sign came from his fear and doubt, not faith. God had already spoken to him clearly (Judges 6:12–16), promised victory (Judges 6:14, 16), and given a miraculous sign by consuming his offering with fire (Judges 6:21). Yet Gideon hesitated, asking for further confirmation. His use of the fleece was not an act of trust but of uncertainty. God graciously indulged him, but this was not intended as a normative practice for discerning His will. If you're unsure, I urge you to read the passage again. We do not need to test or doubt God's Word in this manner for several reasons:
Christians Have the Holy Spirit
Unlike Gideon, believers today have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide them. Jesus promised the Spirit would lead His followers into all truth (John 16:13) and teach them everything they need to know (John 14:26). Through the Spirit’s presence, Christians can experience direct guidance and conviction without needing external signs. Testing God with a “fleece” demonstrates a lack of reliance on the Spirit’s leading and His ability to speak through the Word.
The Word of God Is Sufficient
In addition to the Holy Spirit, Christians have God's complete and authoritative Word. Second Timothy 3:16–17 declares that Scripture equips believers for every good work. By immersing ourselves in God’s Word, we can discern His will for our lives without resorting to arbitrary tests. Gideon lacked this resource, but we have clear, timeless principles that guide our decisions and faith.
Testing God Is Discouraged
In Scripture, testing God is generally seen as an act of unbelief. In Deuteronomy 6:16, God commands, “Do not test the Lord your God.” Jesus echoed this in His response to Satan’s temptation (Matthew 4:7). Gideon’s fleece was not an example of trust but of doubt, and such tests reflect a failure to take God at His Word. Today, asking for a fleece-like sign often replaces the faith and trust that God desires from His people.
How Christians Can Discern God’s Will
Rather than putting out a fleece, Christians should:
1. Seek God’s Guidance in Prayer: James 1:5 encourages believers to ask for wisdom, trusting that God will provide it generously.
2. Study Scripture for Timeless Principles: God’s Word provides clear guidelines for decision-making.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit: The Spirit provides conviction and peace through prayer and reflection (Philippians 4:6–7).
4. Seek Wise Counsel: Proverbs 11:14 teaches that victory comes through many advisers (these need to be Christians who also have the Holy Spirit indwelling them).
5. Step Forward in Faith: Trusting God often means acting on His revealed Word without requiring extraordinary signs.
Conclusion
Christians do not need to “put their fleece out” like Gideon because we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to guide us. Relying on tests or signs to confirm God’s will undermines faith and ignores the resources God has already provided. Instead of testing God, we should trust Him, seek His guidance in prayer and Scripture, possibly seek wise counsel from other Christians as needed, and then move forward in faith, confident that He is with us.
The story of Gideon in Judges 6 often captivates believers because of his "fleece test" to confirm God’s will. Gideon asked God for a miraculous sign, first for the fleece to be wet and the ground dry, and then the opposite, to confirm that God had indeed called him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. While this story reveals God’s patience and grace, using it as a model for decision-making today is misguided for Christians who have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
The Context of Gideon’s Test
Gideon’s request for a sign came from his fear and doubt, not faith. God had already spoken to him clearly (Judges 6:12–16), promised victory (Judges 6:14, 16), and given a miraculous sign by consuming his offering with fire (Judges 6:21). Yet Gideon hesitated, asking for further confirmation. His use of the fleece was not an act of trust but of uncertainty. God graciously indulged him, but this was not intended as a normative practice for discerning His will. If you're unsure, I urge you to read the passage again. We do not need to test or doubt God's Word in this manner for several reasons:
Christians Have the Holy Spirit
Unlike Gideon, believers today have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide them. Jesus promised the Spirit would lead His followers into all truth (John 16:13) and teach them everything they need to know (John 14:26). Through the Spirit’s presence, Christians can experience direct guidance and conviction without needing external signs. Testing God with a “fleece” demonstrates a lack of reliance on the Spirit’s leading and His ability to speak through the Word.
The Word of God Is Sufficient
In addition to the Holy Spirit, Christians have God's complete and authoritative Word. Second Timothy 3:16–17 declares that Scripture equips believers for every good work. By immersing ourselves in God’s Word, we can discern His will for our lives without resorting to arbitrary tests. Gideon lacked this resource, but we have clear, timeless principles that guide our decisions and faith.
Testing God Is Discouraged
In Scripture, testing God is generally seen as an act of unbelief. In Deuteronomy 6:16, God commands, “Do not test the Lord your God.” Jesus echoed this in His response to Satan’s temptation (Matthew 4:7). Gideon’s fleece was not an example of trust but of doubt, and such tests reflect a failure to take God at His Word. Today, asking for a fleece-like sign often replaces the faith and trust that God desires from His people.
How Christians Can Discern God’s Will
Rather than putting out a fleece, Christians should:
1. Seek God’s Guidance in Prayer: James 1:5 encourages believers to ask for wisdom, trusting that God will provide it generously.
2. Study Scripture for Timeless Principles: God’s Word provides clear guidelines for decision-making.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit: The Spirit provides conviction and peace through prayer and reflection (Philippians 4:6–7).
4. Seek Wise Counsel: Proverbs 11:14 teaches that victory comes through many advisers (these need to be Christians who also have the Holy Spirit indwelling them).
5. Step Forward in Faith: Trusting God often means acting on His revealed Word without requiring extraordinary signs.
Conclusion
Christians do not need to “put their fleece out” like Gideon because we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to guide us. Relying on tests or signs to confirm God’s will undermines faith and ignores the resources God has already provided. Instead of testing God, we should trust Him, seek His guidance in prayer and Scripture, possibly seek wise counsel from other Christians as needed, and then move forward in faith, confident that He is with us.
Posted in Coffee Hour w/ Pastor John
Posted in fleece, Giddeon, Will of God, God\\\'s Will, Faith, Holy Spirit, Judges 6
Posted in fleece, Giddeon, Will of God, God\\\'s Will, Faith, Holy Spirit, Judges 6
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