hashkafah philosophy - Should one refuse torah insights from heaven?

I have heard a story that the Vilna Gaon was offered torah insights by some sort of divine source, either an angel, a maggid or something else. The story goes that he refused those insights because they did not come through his own efforts. I would like to know from a hashkafik perspective if this is something that would be considered an appropriate response for anyone or only for someone on the spiritual level of the Vilna Gaon.