God is that You or the Devil?
As Christians one of the weapons the Lord has given us is the power to discern spirits. Growing in confidence in knowing God’s voice from the Devil’s is an imperative weapon we need to grow and wield.
Having a good understanding of the voice of God from the voice of the Devil is not as difficult as we make it out to be. You can actually just ask yourself a few questions when you hear things being spoken to you in your heart or mind.
Despite what you may think, every Christian can learn and grow in discerning between the spirits.
I used to assume what the Enemy was saying was either what I thought about myself or what God thinks about me. I allowed what the Enemy says to me tear me down and rob me of my joy until I could not stand it anymore. During the time where I did not fight back (because I didn’t really know how to) when the Enemy would accuse and condemn me, I began to isolate myself, spend less time with others, have less relational commitments and close my heart due to fear, condemnation and shame. I was living in agreement with the Enemy’s lies and the incubator for his lies, is isolation.
His lies and accusations towards me consisted of, but are not limited to: no one likes you, you’re bad at relationships, you dress so weird, people don’t want you around, you’re stupid, you’re talking too much, you’re mean etc. It all boils down to two lies that he’s been using on humans since he was condemned, God doesn’t love you and you’re not His child.
I received a prophetic word about eight years ago, that I was a broken winged bird, but the Lord is going to heal my wings and I’m going to fly, thus the title of my blog, wings to fly. I didn’t see much activity in my life that pertained to this prophetic word until the last few years where God began to go deep and heal me with His love and truth. This is why I’m so passionate about being honest, vulnerable and sharing what He has done in me. I don’t want to see another Child of God being pushed around by the Devil!
Recently, I picked up Jim Goll’s book The Seer which came highly recommended by Shelley Hundley (Vice President of training and teacher at IHOPU). In it, Goll gives some great questions you can ask yourself to help you discern between the spirits:
Examine its content (test the ideas: 1 John 4:5)
Satan: Is it negative, destructive, pushy, fearful, and accusative? Is it a violation of the nature of God? Does it violate the Word of God? Is the image “afraid to be tested?”
God: Is it instructive, uplifting, and comforting? Does it accept testing? Does it encourage me to continue in my walk with God?
Check its fruit: (test the fruit; Matt. 7:16)
Satan: Am I fearful, compulsive, in bondage, anxious, confused, or possessing an inflated ego as a result of the encounter?
God: Do I sense quickened faith, power, peace, good fruit, enlightenment, knowledge, or humility? (Goll 75-76)
Usually, if it is the Enemy, he will be defensive and pushy making you feel like you can’t question what he’s saying to you and/or you can’t talk to God about it. If it’s God, He is patient, kind even when He is rebuking you. He allows you to draw near Him and ask Him questions rather than push you away and reject you.
The most powerful thing you can invest your time in to build your discernment is to continually cultivate your relationship with the Lord through prayer, Bible study and worship. Knowing and growing in understanding of who He is and what is like is our greatest weapon.
I hope that gives you more confidence in discerning the spirits. Let me know how the Lord has led you to discern the spirits and your experience!
-Blessings!
