According to some polls, as many as half of all people alive today claim to have experienced some sort of interaction with the Divine during the course of their lives. While some may scoff and suggest that such things run contrary to logic or science, true scientists readily acknowledge that there is far more to the universe than their experiments and instruments can ever hope to understand. If you've ever felt that you've had spiritual experiences with God, there are ways to confirm it.
First of all, recognize that not every supernatural interaction is divinely inspired. Most people of faith understand that there are darker forces at work in the world as well, and that those forces offer nothing good for mankind. The three main faiths of the Western world all attest to the existence of tempting spirits that seek to lead people down the path to their own destruction.
It is critically important, therefore, to examine the nature of any such encounter. If a spirit's presence leaves you questioning your own worth or thinking evil thoughts, that is generally a sign that you've encountered one of those darker forces. After all, faithful people understand that God's intent is to add to the love we feel for others, promote goodness, and console us in times of need.
At the same time, the opposite is generally true for people who have turned from faith. Evil spirits will often tempt those people to justify their misdeeds through excuses rather than take responsibility for their own sins. God's Spirit, on the other hand, will speak to the person's conscience so that his own heart convicts him and drives him to seek forgiveness.
Ignatius once described perhaps the most important step to discerning spirits when he wrote about knowing and recognizing your own current state of spirituality. If you're a believer striving to please your Creator, no encounter of this kind will ever leave you feeling any separation from Him. Instead, His presence is always a consoling and reaffirming one that provides comfort and security in your life.
Scripture can assist in this discernment, and should be referred to as a guide when judging such encounters. Many claims of divine meetings involve strange prophecies or commands that simply do not match God's Word. By referring to the text of Scripture, people of faith can better discern false encounters and real ones simply by considering whether the nature of the encounter comports with the Word.
Skeptics, of course, would have us believe that all of these claims are merely delusional rants from people who have become too invested in ancient mythologies. Those arguments fall flat for most believers, since they are never supported by objective evidence or anything remotely resembling rational consideration of those things that continue to remain unknown to science.
Remember also that even the most experienced believers find this discernment challenging at times. However, if you remain aware of your own level of faith, examine the actual encounter, and search the Scriptures for guidance, you can invariably determine if you have truly been blessed by contact from God.
First of all, recognize that not every supernatural interaction is divinely inspired. Most people of faith understand that there are darker forces at work in the world as well, and that those forces offer nothing good for mankind. The three main faiths of the Western world all attest to the existence of tempting spirits that seek to lead people down the path to their own destruction.
It is critically important, therefore, to examine the nature of any such encounter. If a spirit's presence leaves you questioning your own worth or thinking evil thoughts, that is generally a sign that you've encountered one of those darker forces. After all, faithful people understand that God's intent is to add to the love we feel for others, promote goodness, and console us in times of need.
At the same time, the opposite is generally true for people who have turned from faith. Evil spirits will often tempt those people to justify their misdeeds through excuses rather than take responsibility for their own sins. God's Spirit, on the other hand, will speak to the person's conscience so that his own heart convicts him and drives him to seek forgiveness.
Ignatius once described perhaps the most important step to discerning spirits when he wrote about knowing and recognizing your own current state of spirituality. If you're a believer striving to please your Creator, no encounter of this kind will ever leave you feeling any separation from Him. Instead, His presence is always a consoling and reaffirming one that provides comfort and security in your life.
Scripture can assist in this discernment, and should be referred to as a guide when judging such encounters. Many claims of divine meetings involve strange prophecies or commands that simply do not match God's Word. By referring to the text of Scripture, people of faith can better discern false encounters and real ones simply by considering whether the nature of the encounter comports with the Word.
Skeptics, of course, would have us believe that all of these claims are merely delusional rants from people who have become too invested in ancient mythologies. Those arguments fall flat for most believers, since they are never supported by objective evidence or anything remotely resembling rational consideration of those things that continue to remain unknown to science.
Remember also that even the most experienced believers find this discernment challenging at times. However, if you remain aware of your own level of faith, examine the actual encounter, and search the Scriptures for guidance, you can invariably determine if you have truly been blessed by contact from God.
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