How to Discern the Voice of God? (Part 3):
Understanding Spiritual Senses
Introduction
God is always speaking, but are we truly listening? As I was praying last week, the Lord revealed to me that many of us shut Him out, not because He is silent, but because we either don’t want to obey, don’t like what He is saying, or pretend we don’t hear Him. Some of us have selective hearing when it comes to God’s voice. However, He is always calling out to us, trying to get our attention both in the physical realm through our physical senses (as we discussed in the first part of this series) and the spiritual realm, which we will explore today.
The truth is, God reveals Himself to those who are obedient and submitted to His will. Those who frequently shut out His voice create an unseen barrier between themselves and God. Let us not be those people for we are called to be friends of God so that He may reveal Himself and His will to us.
John 15:15 – "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
Developing Spiritual Discernment
Just as we navigate the physical world through our five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell, God has given us spiritual senses to perceive Him and His movements. Spiritual discernment allows us to distinguish between what is of God, what is of the flesh, and what is of the enemy.
- Spiritual Sight (Ephesians 1:18) – Paul prays for the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened so that we may know the hope to which we are called.
- Spiritual Hearing (John 10:27) – Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
- Spiritual Touch (Luke 8:43-48) – The woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus in faith and received healing.
- Spiritual Taste (Psalm 34:8) – “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
- Spiritual Smell (2 Corinthians 2:14-16) – Paul describes believers as carrying the "fragrance of Christ."
These senses, when trained, allow us to recognize God's presence, guidance, and truth.
Three Ways We Discern God's Voice
Believers often perceive God’s messages in three primary ways: as Feelers, Knowers, and Seers. Understanding these categories can enhance our ability to recognize and respond to God's guidance.
1. Feelers
Some believers sense God's messages through emotions or physical sensations. They may experience a deep peace, urgency, or discomfort that signals God’s guidance.
- Pay attention to emotional or physical cues when making decisions.
- A sense of peace may indicate alignment with God's will.
- God may communicate through your feelings—be sensitive to them.
2. Knowers
Some people receive divine knowledge through an unexplainable inner “knowing.” They suddenly understand a truth about a situation, person, or decision without any logical explanation.
- Trust inner convictions that align with Scripture.
- Even without external confirmation, rely on the insights that resonate with God’s Word.
3. Seers
Some believers receive visual revelations through dreams, visions, or mental images that convey divine messages.
- Pay attention to recurring dreams or images that might provide direction.
- Seek biblical confirmation for your visions.
Let’s look at this scripture as reference: Paul's Spiritual Discernment (Acts 16:16-18)
Paul’s encounter with a possessed slave girl in Acts 16:16-18 demonstrates how he used his spiritual senses to discern deception.
1. The Situation: A Spirit of Divination Masquerading as Truth
"Once, when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’" (Acts 16:16-17)
Though the girl’s words seemed supportive, Paul discerned that she carried a deceptive spirit, not the Holy Spirit.
2. The Discernment: Identifying the False Spirit
"She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.” (Acts 16:18)
Paul’s inner disturbance, a manifestation of his spiritual senses, prompted him to act. This aligns with the experience of Feelers, who perceive spiritual realities through emotions or physical sensations.
Guard Your Senses
Our eyes and ears are gateways to our hearts and minds, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and spiritual discernment. It is crucial to guard what we see and hear because, while these senses can be powerful tools for God's kingdom, they can also become entry points for the enemy if left unprotected.
Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to "guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life." What we allow into our hearts through our senses influences our spiritual well-being. The enemy often seeks to infiltrate our minds subtly—through entertainment, conversations, media, and even seemingly harmless distractions. If we are not vigilant, these influences can distort our faith, weaken our convictions, and create spiritual confusion.
This is why Philippians 4:8 urges us to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Our spiritual health depends on what we feed our minds and spirits. If we are not intentional about filtering what enters our spirit, we risk falling into temptation, discouragement, and deception. Guarding our senses is not about fear but about wisdom—choosing to nourish our faith with godly influences rather than worldly distractions.
By being mindful of what we consume, we can stay spiritually strong, discerning, and aligned with God's truth.
Application: Training Your Spiritual Senses
Hebrews 5:14 – "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."
Spiritual discernment requires practice and maturity. Here’s how you can develop your spiritual senses:
- Spend time in God's presence – Prayer and worship sharpen spiritual awareness.
- Study Scripture – God’s Word is the ultimate filter for truth.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit – He is our guide to truth (John 16:13).
- Seek confirmation – Align insights with the Bible and godly counsel.
Conclusion
God desires to communicate with us, and He has given us spiritual senses to recognize His voice. However, discerning Him requires practice, obedience, and a willingness to listen. Don’t allow spiritual complacency or selective hearing to block what God wants to reveal. Instead, ask Him to sharpen your spiritual senses so that you can walk confidently in His guidance.
As you seek to grow in spiritual discernment, remember this promise:
Isaiah 30:21 – "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’"
May we all have ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts that are fully open to His leading. Amen!
Written by Amaria Phillips