Discernment

How to Distinguish Between God's Voice, Your Thoughts, and Evil Spirits

By: Kathy DeGraw

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Discernment: How to Distinguish Between God's Voice, Your Thoughts, and Evil Spirits

In our daily lives, we are constantly bombarded with thoughts and impressions. Discerning the source of these thoughts—whether they originate from God, our own minds, or the enemy—is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. In her insightful book, Discernment: How to Distinguish Between God's Voice, Your Thoughts, and Evil Spirits, author Kathy DeGraw addresses the number one question she receives: "How do I discern the spiritual realm, hear from God, and recognize the voice of the enemy?"

Understanding the Sources of Our Thoughts

The Bible emphasizes the importance of discernment in distinguishing between different voices:

• God's Voice: Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). As believers, we are designed to recognize and follow the voice of our Shepherd.

• Our Own Thoughts: Scripture acknowledges the presence of personal thoughts: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord..." (Jeremiah 29:11). It's essential to differentiate between our own ideas and divine guidance.

• The Enemy's Voice: The apostle Peter warns, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy seeks to infiltrate our minds with deception and confusion.

Challenges in Discernment

One of the primary challenges in spiritual discernment is the interplay between divine guidance and our own thoughts. Our personal desires, fears, and experiences can cloud our ability to hear God clearly. Additionally, the enemy seeks to exploit these vulnerabilities by introducing doubt and falsehoods. As Paul advises, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh... bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3,5).

Insights from 'Discernment'

In Discernment, Kathy DeGraw provides practical tools and biblical insights to help believers sharpen their spiritual discernment. Drawing from her extensive ministry experience, she offers guidance on:

• Hearing from God: Understanding the various ways God communicates with His children and how to position ourselves to receive His guidance.

• Discerning Prophetically: Developing the ability to perceive and interpret divine revelations accurately.

• Prayer Techniques: Employing effective prayer strategies that align our hearts with God's will and silence the voice of the enemy.

• Testing the Spirits: Applying biblical principles to evaluate the origin of spiritual messages and impressions, as instructed in 1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God..."