8 Ways to Discern the Voice of the Holy Spirit vs the enemy

Was that thought from the Holy Spirit? Or from the enemy?

How can we be absolutely sure?

We can learn to recognize God's voice.

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27

When we accept Jesus Christ as our savior, He tells us, " the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26)

8 Ways to Discern the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voice of the enemy:

1. The Holy Spirit will convict in love, the enemy will bring guilt and shame.

2. The Holy Spirit will guide and still you, the enemy will rush you.

3. The Holy Spirit will encourage you, the enemy will discourage and bring fear.

4. The Holy Spirit will comfort you, the enemy will bring chaos.

5. The Holy Spirit will calm you, the enemy will bring worry and obsession.

6. The Holy Spirit will bring clarity, the enemy will bring confusion.

7. The Holy Spirit will never contradict Scripture, the enemy will manipulate.

8. The Holy Spirit will bring you closer to Christ, the enemy will distract.

When I get into a disagreement with someone, I will notice two different types of thoughts.

Thoughts that upset me further, and thoughts of reason. Sometimes it's so hard in the moment to listen to the Holy Spirit's voice of clarity. But when I do, the situation always turns out better than if I let the enemy manipulate my emotions.

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

• Through Jesus Christ you have the ability to take control over your thoughts. God told Cain to focus his mind on the right things, but Cain chose to focus on anger and jealousy which lead to his downfall. (Genesis 4:7)
  

• Pray that God will renew and transform your mind, so that you do not conform to the world. (Romans 12:2)
  

• Choose to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8)
  

• Know that it is possible. The enemy will tell you that you can't control your thoughts. But as believers, we know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
  

When you are feeling overwhelmed by the enemy's lies, put on the armor of God:

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:11-17

When you are not sure if a thought is from the Holy Spirit or if it's from the enemy, pray to God for wisdom and clarity.