How Can You Tell if a Spiritual Experience Is Really From God

Jul 27

Written By Sophie

How Can You Tell if a Spiritual Experience Is Really From God?

In an age where dramatic worship clips spread across social media in minutes, it's easy to assume that the most emotional experiences must also be the most spiritual.

Videos of people shaking, collapsing, laughing uncontrollably, or claiming extraordinary supernatural encounters often leave Christians asking the same question:

Is this really the Holy Spirit?

It's an important question, and it's one we shouldn't dismiss too quickly.

On one hand, we don't want to become cynical people who explain away every miracle or every genuine work of God. Scripture is filled with moments where God moved in extraordinary ways, and He is still free to do so today.

On the other hand, we aren't called to accept every spiritual claim simply because someone says it's from God.

We're called to discern.

God Never Asks Us to Turn Off Our Discernment

One of the healthiest lessons I've learned is that discernment isn't a lack of faith.

It's actually an act of obedience.

Throughout the New Testament, believers are repeatedly told to test spirits, examine teaching, and hold fast to what is true. God never tells us to abandon wisdom in favor of emotion. Instead, He gives us both His Word and His Church to help us recognize truth.

That means asking questions isn't rebellion.

Sometimes it's faithfulness.

The Fruit Matters More Than the Moment

One of the easiest ways to evaluate any spiritual experience is to ask what it produces.

The New Testament spends far more time describing the fruit of the Holy Spirit than dramatic manifestations.

Paul tells us the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Notice that Scripture points us toward transformed character.

A powerful emotional moment may be memorable, but lasting holiness is the greater miracle.

When the Holy Spirit is at work, He doesn't simply create an unforgettable experience.

He makes us more like Christ.

Pentecost Was Powerful—and Orderly

Many people point to Pentecost as evidence that dramatic manifestations should always accompany the Holy Spirit.

But when we actually read Acts 2, something interesting stands out.

The apostles weren't overcome in a way that prevented them from communicating.

They spoke boldly.

They proclaimed the Gospel clearly.

People from many nations understood them in their own languages.

The miracle wasn't confusion.

It was clarity.

Three thousand people came to faith because the message was understood.

That's a very different picture than assuming every unusual behavior should automatically be attributed to the Holy Spirit.

Why Christian History Still Matters

One of the biggest themes of my own journey has been realizing that Christians don't have to figure everything out from scratch.

For two thousand years, faithful believers have wrestled with questions about spiritual gifts, miracles, worship, authority, and discernment.

Studying the early Church has reminded me that spiritual experiences have always been evaluated—not simply accepted because they were emotional or extraordinary.

The earliest Christians understood something we still need today:

Every experience should point us toward Christ, remain consistent with Scripture, and bear good fruit over time.

Charity and Discernment Belong Together

One thing I never want to lose in these conversations is compassion.

Many people participating in charismatic movements sincerely love Jesus.

That matters.

We don't need to mock people in order to disagree with them.

We can extend grace while also asking whether a particular teaching or practice reflects what Scripture and historic Christianity have consistently taught.

Truth doesn't require arrogance.

In fact, humility makes discernment much more trustworthy.