Thoughts

[Johan]

Good Day

The bible says that the Holy Spirit dwells in us and talks to us in various ways. One way the Holy Spirit talks to us, is by letting us "know" things. My question is how do you know that it is coming from the Holy Spirit or Devil / Demons or your own thoughts? How do you recognize that something is coming from God or the Devil or your own thoughts / feelings?

Thanks
Johan

 

[dayhiker]

The question we have all asked our self over and over.

The easy answer is by faith. But of course that isn't very satisfying! Yet I don't know another one.

 

[RC1970]

For something to be from the Holy Spirit, it would have to be consistent with Scripture. If the thought is not consistent with Scripture, then it is certainly not from the Holy Spirit.

 

[Tigger45]

Scripture also points to seeking wise counsel.

 

[Gordon Wright]

Scripture also points to seeking wise counsel.

As opposed to seeking unwise counsel.

All lies will be exposed eventually. You learn from experience to recognize the things that lie.

 

[Tigger45]

As opposed to seeking unwise counsel.

All lies will be exposed eventually. You learn from experience to recognize the things that lie.

Well of course opposed to seeking unwise counsel. What I was proposing was 'a' biblical approach to the OP. Learning from your own experiences only helps 'after' the fact. Learning from others 'wise counsel' who've already been through that same situation helps you avoid the mistake in the first place.


Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.

Proverbs 11:14 - Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

Proverbs 19:20-21 - Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Proverbs 15:22 - Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Psalms 1:1-6 - Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

 

[Crowns&Laurels]

God would never allow an entity to mislead you under the guise that they are Him- this is why it never happens. A man has never heeded God just to find a devil in his wake. If one feels that God is leading them in a certain direction or giving them signs, embrace it.

 

[madera23]

I hate to break your bubble, but there is an entity in everyone.

 

[Holoman]

Partly by thinking about it rationally, is what you are being told to do consistent with God's nature and teachings?
You can also ask other people for advice, such as on this forum, on specifically what you are being asked to do and whether they see any reason not to do it.

 

[Johnnz]

Its a learned process that can include biblical understanding, experience, the opinions of others, prayer and an inner peacefulness or some tangible outcome that honours God in some way.

John
NZ

 

[Emmy]

Dear Johan. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells us: "The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: love thy neighbour as thyself." In verse 40, we are told: " on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. God is Love, and God wants loving sons and daughters." What do we do? In Matthew 7: 7-10: we are told: " ask and you shall receive," we ask for Love and Joy, then we thank God and share all love and joy with our neighbour: all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends. God sees our loving efforts, and God will bless us. We keep asking and receiving, then we thank God and share all love and joy with our neighbour. We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on loving and caring. The Holy Spirit will help and guide us, and lead us all the way. We keep asking for and sharing all love and joy, and the Holy Spirit will help us to do God`s Will, and we will keep receiving blessings after blessings, and turn gradually into the men and women which God wants us to become. I say this with love, Johan.
Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[Gordon Wright]

Well of course opposed to seeking unwise counsel. What I was proposing was 'a' biblical approach to the OP. Learning from your own experiences only helps 'after' the fact. Learning from others 'wise counsel' who've already been through that same situation helps you avoid the mistake in the first place.

Bit of a chicken and egg problem. First you need experience to learn whose counsel is trustworthy, and to what extent.

 

[Dom Puccio]

I would like to think that Satan does not have the authority or power to enter our thoughts or our hearts and make his home there to tempt us and plague our thought processes. I would also think that with enough prayer and confidence in faith, we can be sure that God is saying what He needs to.