When you pause to listen, you may wonder: “Is this God, just my own thought, or something else?” The good news is that Scripture gives us clear ways to test what we hear. Below are five simple questions to help you discern the Spirit’s voice.

Jesus is the Word made flesh, the clearest picture of what God is like. His life shows us God’s nature: forgiving, self-giving, serving, healing, and blessing even those who oppose Him. The enemy can twist Scripture, but he cannot imitate Jesus’ heart. If what you hear reflects the character and way of Jesus as revealed in Scripture, it is from God. If it pushes toward fear, shame, domination, or manipulation, it is not. (See John 1:14, Hebrews 1:1–3, John 10:10, and Matthew 11:28–30.)

The Spirit’s voice carries the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And if you act on it, it will bear good fruit over time. If following it leads to fear, confusion, or division, it is not from Him. (See Galatians 5:22–23, Matthew 7:16–18, John 15:5, and James 3:17–18.)

The Spirit may convict us of sin, but always with clarity and hope, like a loving hand pointing us back to life. Condemnation feels heavy, vague, and suffocating. If a voice shames you, makes you want to hide, or leaves you feeling hopeless, it is not God. (See John 16:8, Romans 8:1, Colossians 1:21–22, and John 3:17.)