Question: How do I know if it is God or the devil speaking to me when I feel an impression or get an idea?

Answer: God‘s voice can be determined with the fact that it will always agree with the Bible and always lead us toward obedience to what He has already said in His Word.

This is a deeply important question, and as a pastor, I would encourage you to test every spiritual experience against God’s Word (1 John 4:1). We must be careful not to rely solely on feelings because both God and the enemy can influence our thoughts and emotions. God calls us to discern His voice through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and godly wisdom.

1. God’s Voice Aligns with Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

God will never contradict His own Word. The Bible is our foundation for knowing His voice. If what you are sensing, feeling, or hearing aligns with God’s character, truth, and commands in Scripture, then it is likely from Him.

📖 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

🔹 Test every thought and experience against the Bible. If the message you’re receiving contradicts Scripture or promotes confusion, it is not from God.

2. God’s Voice Brings Peace, Not Confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33)

God’s voice brings clarity, peace, and conviction—not anxiety, condemnation, or chaos. If a message is leading you into fear, confusion, or despair, that is likely from the enemy.

📖 1 Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”

🔹 Ask yourself: Does this experience lead me closer to Christ, greater trust in Him, and greater peace? If not, be cautious.

3. God’s Voice Calls You to Obedience, Not Self-Indulgence (John 10:27)

When God speaks, His voice guides us toward holiness, repentance, and obedience. The enemy, on the other hand, speaks lies that feed pride, selfish desires, or fear.

📖 John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

🔹 Are you being led toward Christ and obedience? If a voice or feeling is pulling you away from Christ, it is not God’s voice.

4. The Enemy Uses Feelings to Deceive (2 Corinthians 11:14)

The Bible warns that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. This means that not every supernatural or emotional experience is from God.

📖 2 Corinthians 11:14 – “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

🔹 Be careful not to rely solely on feelings. The enemy can use emotions to mislead people into false beliefs, anxiety, and deception.

5. God’s Spirit Produces the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

One way to discern God’s voice is by examining the fruit of what you are hearing or experiencing. If the result of an encounter leads to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, it is from the Holy Spirit. If it leads to fear, doubt, confusion, or sin, it is not from God.

📖 Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

🔹 Ask yourself: Does this experience bear godly fruit in my life?

6. Test the Spirits (1 John 4:1)

The Bible commands us to test every spirit because not every spiritual experience is from God.

📖 1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

🔹 How to test the spirits:

1. Does it align with Scripture? (God never contradicts His Word.)

2. Does it lead to peace, faith, and holiness? (God’s voice does.)

3. Does it make you trust Christ more or less? (Satan wants to create doubt.)

4. Does it align with the fruit of the Spirit? (God’s voice leads to righteousness.)

7. God’s Presence is More Than a Feeling (Jeremiah 17:9)

You mentioned feeling a tingling energy when praying. While God can give physical sensations, we must remember that His presence is not dependent on emotions or physical feelings.

📖 Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

🔹 Be cautious of relying on sensations alone. True confirmation comes from Scripture, faith, and godly fruit, not just feelings.

Practical Steps to Confirm It’s God Speaking.

✔ Pray for discernment – Ask God for wisdom to distinguish His voice (James 1:5).

✔ Compare it to the Bible – If it contradicts Scripture, reject it.

✔ Seek godly counsel – Ask mature believers or pastors for guidance (Proverbs 11:14).

✔ Look for fruit – Does it produce peace, holiness, and obedience?

✔ Reject fear and confusion – If it creates anxiety and doubt, rebuke it in Jesus’ name (2 Timothy 1:7).

Final Answer: How to Be Sure It’s God?

If it aligns with Scripture → It is from God.
If it leads to faith, peace, and obedience → It is from God.
If it contradicts the Bible, brings confusion, or stirs fear → It is not from God.
If you are unsure → Test it against Scripture, prayer, and godly wisdom.

God wants you to hear His voice and walk in confidence. If you are seeking Him with a sincere heart, He will lead you (Proverbs 3:5-6). Do not be afraid of being deceived—if you stay rooted in Scripture, trust in Jesus, and pray for discernment, God will guide you (John 16:13).

Encouragement from God’s Word.

📖 John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

📖 James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

📖 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

📖 Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Example Prayer for Guidance.

Heavenly Father,
I seek Your wisdom to discern Your voice from all others. Your Word says that Your sheep hear Your voice and follow You (John 10:27). Help me to test everything against Scripture and recognize what aligns with Your truth.

If anything brings fear, doubt, or confusion, let me reject it in Jesus’ name (2 Corinthians 10:5). Fill me with Your peace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that I walk in confidence, knowing You are leading me (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Thank You for speaking to me, Lord. I trust in You completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.