LEVEL 2: DISCERNMENT & SPIRITUAL STABILITY

Primary Scriptures

Hebrews 1:1–2
John 10:27
Acts 2:17–18
Acts 8:26–29
Acts 10:9–20
Acts 13:1–4
2 Timothy 3:16–17
1 Thessalonians 5:19–21
1 John 4:1

INTRODUCTION

God has communicated with people throughout Scripture.

He spoke to prophets.

He spoke through dreams.

He gave visions.

He sent angels.

He spoke through His written Word.

He directed people by His Spirit.

He used circumstances.

He used godly counsel.

He gave wisdom.

He used prophecy.

He sometimes gave direct and specific instructions.

The Bible therefore gives us no reason to believe that God is silent or unable to guide His people.

However, there is another truth we must establish just as strongly:

The fact that God can communicate in a particular way does not mean every experience of that kind came from God.

Not every dream comes from God.

Not every impression comes from God.

Not every prophecy comes from God.

Not every vision comes from God.

Not every open door comes from God.

Not every thought that enters your mind comes from God.

Not every person who says, “The Lord told me,” has actually heard from God.

This is why spiritual communication and spiritual discernment must be studied together.

If you believe God can speak but never test what you hear, you can become vulnerable to deception.

If you become so skeptical that you reject everything supernatural, you can also miss what Scripture plainly teaches about the activity of the Holy Spirit.

A mature believer learns to do both:

Remain open to God while testing everything carefully.

1. GOD HAS ALWAYS COMMUNICATED WITH PEOPLE

Hebrews 1:1–2 says:

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…”

God has spoken in different ways and at different times.

The Bible records God speaking through:

• Prophets.
• Angels.
• Dreams.
• Visions.
• Audible speech.
• Written revelation.
• Signs.
• Circumstances.
• Wisdom.
• The Holy Spirit.
• Jesus Christ.

The methods varied.

The source remained God.

2. JESUS CHRIST IS CENTRAL TO GOD’S REVELATION

Hebrews 1 teaches that God has spoken to us through His Son.

Jesus Christ occupies a unique place in divine revelation.

He is not merely another prophet among many.

John 1:18 says:

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son… he hath declared him.”

Jesus reveals the Father.

Jesus said in John 14:9:

“he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…”

Therefore, any claimed revelation from God must agree with the truth God has revealed through Jesus Christ.

If a spiritual message dishonors Christ, contradicts His teaching, or leads people away from Him, it should not be accepted as divine simply because the experience felt supernatural.

3. GOD COMMUNICATES THROUGH SCRIPTURE

The most reliable and established source of divine truth available to the believer is the written Word of God.

Paul writes:

2 Timothy 3:16–17

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Scripture teaches.

Scripture corrects.

Scripture reproves.

Scripture instructs.

Scripture equips.

This means you should never treat the Bible as secondary to dreams, visions, prophecy, impressions, or personal revelations.

A dream may need interpretation.

A vision may need interpretation.

A prophecy must be judged.

An impression can be misunderstood.

But Scripture gives you an established standard by which other claims can be tested.

4. SCRIPTURE IS THE FOUNDATION FOR DISCERNMENT

Psalm 119:105 says:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

You cannot develop strong spiritual discernment while remaining weak in Scripture.

The less familiar you are with truth, the easier it becomes to accept error.

Consider a simple example.

Suppose someone tells you:

“God revealed to me that you no longer need to forgive people once you become spiritually mature.”

You do not need three days of fasting to determine whether that message came from God.

Jesus has already taught you to forgive.

The message contradicts revealed truth.

Reject it.

The stronger your knowledge of Scripture becomes, the stronger your ability becomes to test spiritual claims.

5. GOD COMMUNICATES THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide His people.

John 16:13

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…”

The book of Acts gives several examples.

Acts 8:29 says:

“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.”

Acts 13:2 says:

“…the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

Acts 16 also records occasions where Paul and his companions were restrained or directed in their travels.

Therefore, the New Testament presents the Holy Spirit as active in guiding believers.

But remember what we established in Session 2:

A claim of spiritual guidance must still be tested.

6. GOD MAY COMMUNICATE THROUGH DREAMS

Scripture contains many examples of significant dreams.

God gave dreams to:

• Jacob.
• Joseph.
• Pharaoh.
• Nebuchadnezzar.
• Joseph, the husband of Mary.
• Others throughout Scripture.

Joel 2:28 says:

“your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions…”

Peter quoted this passage in Acts 2.

Dreams therefore appear within biblical revelation.

However, Scripture also warns against false dreams.

Jeremiah 23:25 says:

“I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.”

The existence of genuine dreams does not prove that every dream has divine origin.

7. NOT EVERY DREAM IS A MESSAGE FROM GOD

Dreams can come from ordinary human activity.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 says:

“For a dream cometh through the multitude of business…”

Our minds process experiences, concerns, memories, fears, desires, and information.

You may dream about something because you spent several hours thinking about it.

You may dream about food because you were hungry.

You may dream about a person because you spoke to them earlier.

You may dream about danger because you watched something disturbing before bed.

Therefore, you should never assume:

“I dreamed it, therefore God said it.”

A dream may be significant.

It may also be ordinary.

Discernment is required.

8. HOW SHOULD A BELIEVER RESPOND TO A DREAM?

If a dream seems spiritually significant, do not immediately build a doctrine or major decision upon it.

First:

1. Record the dream.
2. Pray.
3. Examine the content.
4. Compare it with Scripture.
5. Consider whether it reflects your recent thoughts or concerns.
6. Avoid forcing an interpretation.
7. Wait if necessary.
8. Seek mature counsel when appropriate.

If you do not understand a dream, it is acceptable to say:

“I do not know what this means.”

You do not need to invent an interpretation.

9. GOD MAY COMMUNICATE THROUGH VISIONS

The Bible also contains visions.

Peter received a vision in Acts 10.

Paul received visions.

Ananias received a vision.

John received the Revelation through visions.

Acts 10:9–11 describes Peter entering into a trance and seeing a vision that prepared him for what God was about to do with Cornelius.

The vision had purpose.

It was connected to God’s work.

It was not given merely for entertainment or spiritual excitement.

This teaches us something important.

Biblical spiritual experiences often carried responsibility.

God revealed something because He wanted something accomplished.

10. VISIONS ALSO REQUIRE DISCERNMENT

A vivid experience does not automatically prove divine origin.

Intensity is not the same as truth.

A person may sincerely believe they saw something spiritual and still misunderstand what happened.

Therefore, ask:

• Does the content agree with Scripture?
• Does it glorify Christ?
• What fruit does it produce?
• Does it lead toward truth, obedience, love, holiness, and faith?
• Is the person making claims far beyond what the experience actually showed?
• Is fear driving the interpretation?

Discernment protects you from exaggeration.

11. GOD MAY COMMUNICATE THROUGH PROPHECY

Prophecy appears throughout both Testaments.

In the New Testament, prophecy continued within the church.

Paul writes:

1 Corinthians 14:3

“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”

Prophecy can strengthen, encourage, and comfort believers.

However, Scripture does not tell believers to accept every prophecy unquestioningly.

Paul says:

1 Corinthians 14:29

“Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.”

Prophecy was to be judged.

That means the presence of prophecy does not remove the responsibility of discernment.

12. “DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS” AND “PROVE ALL THINGS”

First Thessalonians 5 gives a balanced instruction:

1 Thessalonians 5:19–21

“Quench not the Spirit.

Despise not prophesyings.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

Notice the balance.

Do not despise prophecy.

But also:

Prove all things.

Test it.

Examine it.

Then hold fast to what is good.

This is a major principle for Level 2.

You do not need to choose between believing everything and rejecting everything.

You can examine carefully.

13. GOD MAY USE SPIRITUAL IMPRESSIONS

Sometimes a believer may experience an inward sense, prompting, burden, or impression.

For example, you may suddenly feel strongly impressed to pray for someone.

You may feel prompted to contact someone.

You may sense caution concerning a decision.

You may feel impressed to encourage a person.

These experiences can be meaningful.

But impressions are less objective than Scripture.

Therefore, they should be handled with humility.

Instead of declaring:

“God said this with absolute certainty,”

you may sometimes need to say:

“I believe the Lord may be prompting me.”

That language leaves room for testing and correction.

14. NOT EVERY THOUGHT IS GOD SPEAKING

Your mind contains many thoughts during the day.

Some arise from:

• Memory.
• Desire.
• Fear.
• Habit.
• Imagination.
• Conversation.
• Media.
• Stress.
• Temptation.
• Ordinary mental activity.

Therefore, the appearance of a thought in your mind does not automatically make it revelation.

This is especially important for believers who are learning about spiritual communication.

If you begin treating every thought as God’s voice, you can create serious confusion.

Discernment requires you to ask:

Where did this thought likely come from?

We will study this in much greater detail in Session 12.

15. GOD MAY COMMUNICATE THROUGH WISDOM

Not all divine guidance is dramatic.

James 1:5 says:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…”

Wisdom is a gift from God.

Sometimes the answer to your problem is not a dream or prophecy.

Sometimes you need wisdom.

You may need to examine facts.

You may need to ask questions.

You may need to compare options.

You may need to think carefully.

You may need to wait.

God can guide you through sound judgment.

16. GOD MAY USE GODLY COUNSEL

Proverbs 15:22 says:

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”

God can use mature believers to help you see what you missed.

A trusted Christian may identify a danger you did not notice.

A pastor may provide biblical perspective.

A mature friend may ask a question that exposes a weak assumption.

But counsel must also be tested.

No human counselor is infallible.

Seek counsel from people who:

• Know Scripture.
• Demonstrate godly character.
• Understand the issue.
• Are honest with you.
• Are not manipulating you.
• Are willing to admit when they do not know.

17. GOD MAY USE CIRCUMSTANCES

Circumstances can sometimes contribute to guidance.

Paul encountered opportunities that opened.

He also encountered obstacles.

However, circumstances must be interpreted carefully.

An open door is not always God’s approval.

A closed door is not always God’s rejection.

Suppose you receive an easy opportunity to make money dishonestly.

The fact that the opportunity appeared does not mean God opened the door.

Scripture already tells you dishonesty is wrong.

Circumstances never have authority to overturn clear biblical truth.

18. GOD CAN USE OTHER PEOPLE WITHOUT MAKING THEM INFALLIBLE

Throughout Scripture, God used people to speak truth into the lives of others.

Nathan confronted David.

Jethro gave Moses practical counsel.

Samuel gave instruction.

Prophets delivered messages.

The early church sent believers to assist one another.

God can use people.

But no teacher, pastor, prophet, apostle, minister, mentor, or Christian leader should be treated as incapable of error.

The Bereans examined Paul’s preaching by Scripture.

Acts 17:11 says:

“…they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

That is mature Christianity.

Receive.

Examine.

Test.

Learn.

19. GOD MAY SPEAK THROUGH CREATION, BUT CREATION DOES NOT GIVE DETAILED DOCTRINE

Psalm 19 says:

“The heavens declare the glory of God…”

Creation reveals God’s power and wisdom.

Romans 1 also teaches that creation testifies concerning God.

But you cannot build detailed Christian doctrine by staring at nature.

Creation can point toward the Creator.

Scripture explains who He is and what He requires.

20. WHAT ABOUT SIGNS?

People sometimes ask God for signs.

Scripture contains situations where signs occurred.

Gideon asked for signs.

God gave Moses signs.

Certain signs accompanied the ministry of Jesus and the apostles.

However, dependence upon constant signs can become dangerous.

Jesus warned against a generation continually seeking signs.

A person can also interpret coincidence as divine confirmation because they strongly want a certain answer.

Suppose you pray:

“Lord, if I should marry this person, let me see a blue car today.”

Then you see three blue cars.

Does that prove God told you to marry the person?

No.

Blue cars exist.

Important decisions require stronger foundations than random coincidence.

21. DO NOT BUILD DOCTRINE FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

Suppose you have a powerful dream.

You should not create a doctrine from your dream.

Suppose you see a vision.

You should not teach the church something that contradicts Scripture because of your vision.

Suppose an angelic being appeared to someone and delivered a message contrary to the gospel.

Paul gives a severe warning:

Galatians 1:8

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

The gospel already revealed does not change because someone reports a supernatural experience.

Truth governs experience.

22. EXPERIENCES MUST BE INTERPRETED

An experience and the interpretation of the experience are not always the same thing.

For example:

You dream of a storm.

That is the experience.

You conclude:

“This means something terrible will happen next Thursday.”

That is your interpretation.

The dream may be real.

Your interpretation may still be wrong.

This distinction is extremely important.

Many spiritual errors happen when people confuse what they experienced with what they assume the experience means.

Always separate:

What happened?

from

What do I think it means?

23. GOD’S COMMUNICATION WILL NOT CONTRADICT GOD’S CHARACTER

God is truthful.

God is holy.

God is righteous.

God is just.

God is faithful.

Therefore, a message that encourages lying, adultery, hatred, pride, cruelty, exploitation, or deliberate sin cannot be defended merely by saying:

“God told me.”

A genuine revelation from God will agree with who God has revealed Himself to be.

24. GOD’S COMMUNICATION WILL NOT CONTRADICT SCRIPTURE

This principle must become automatic.

If a claimed message contradicts Scripture, reject the message.

Do not twist Scripture to protect the experience.

Do not lower Scripture beneath prophecy.

Do not allow a respected leader’s revelation to overturn biblical truth.

Do not accept a dream that tells you to disobey Christ.

God is not confused.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth.

25. DOES GOD SPEAK IN AN AUDIBLE VOICE?

Scripture records occasions where God spoke in ways people could hear.

At Jesus’ baptism, a voice came from heaven.

Paul encountered the risen Christ.

Samuel heard God call his name.

Therefore, we should not claim that God is incapable of speaking audibly.

However, audible voices are not presented in Scripture as the normal daily method by which every believer should expect to receive guidance.

If someone hears a voice, the content must still be tested.

An audible experience does not automatically prove divine origin.

26. WHAT ABOUT ANGELS?

Angels sometimes delivered messages in Scripture.

Gabriel spoke to Mary.

An angel spoke to Joseph.

Angels appeared to shepherds.

An angel directed Philip.

However, believers are never instructed to seek angels.

Colossians warns against the worship of angels.

Our attention belongs to God.

If God chooses to use an angel, that is God’s decision.

Christians should not build their spiritual lives around attempting to contact angelic beings.

27. DO NOT TRY TO FORCE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

Some people become so eager to hear from God that they begin forcing experiences.

They interpret every sensation.

They assign meanings to random events.

They constantly search for numbers, colors, patterns, signs, and hidden messages.

This can produce confusion.

You do not need to manufacture God’s communication.

If God wants to make something clear, He is capable of doing so.

Your responsibility is to remain prayerful, biblically grounded, obedient, and discerning.

28. GOD’S SILENCE DOES NOT MEAN GOD HAS ABANDONED YOU

There may be periods when you do not receive dreams.

You may not sense a strong impression.

You may not receive prophecy.

You may pray about something and still feel uncertain.

Do not assume God has abandoned you.

Return to what you know.

Continue praying.

Continue obeying Scripture.

Continue walking faithfully.

Use wisdom.

Wait when necessary.

God’s presence does not depend upon your ability to feel Him.

29. THE DANGER OF BECOMING ADDICTED TO PERSONAL REVELATION

Some believers become dependent upon receiving constant messages.

They want a prophetic word for every decision.

They need someone to tell them what God is saying every week.

They search for dreams and signs before taking normal action.

This can weaken spiritual maturity.

God wants you grounded in truth.

He wants you able to read Scripture.

He wants you to develop wisdom.

He wants you to recognize good and evil.

He wants you to grow.

Spiritual maturity should make you more stable, not more dependent upon constant extraordinary experiences.

30. A SAFE ORDER FOR SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

When seeking direction, begin with what is most established.

First: Scripture

Has God already spoken clearly about the issue?

Second: Prayer

Ask God for wisdom and direction.

Third: Wisdom

Examine facts, responsibilities, consequences, and motives.

Fourth: Godly Counsel

Seek mature input when necessary.

Fifth: Circumstances

Consider opportunities and obstacles without treating them as absolute proof.

Sixth: Spiritual Impressions, Dreams, Visions, or Prophecy

Receive them carefully, but test them.

This does not mean God must communicate in this order.

It gives you a safe framework for discernment.

31. SEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE

When you believe God may have communicated something to you, ask:

1. Does it agree with Scripture?

This is the first test.

2. Does it agree with the character of God?

Would a holy and truthful God direct this?

3. Does it glorify Jesus Christ?

Or does it magnify the person receiving the experience?

4. Does it produce godly fruit?

Truth, obedience, humility, love, holiness, wisdom?

5. Could my own desires or fears be influencing my interpretation?

Be honest.

6. Am I claiming more certainty than the evidence supports?

Humility matters.

7. Can this be tested?

Genuine truth does not need to hide from examination.

32. THREE POSSIBLE SOURCES TO CONSIDER

When examining a thought, impression, dream, or spiritual experience, consider three broad possibilities.

Source 1: God

The experience may genuinely involve divine communication.

Source 2: Yourself

It may arise from your own thoughts, emotions, memories, expectations, desires, fears, or imagination.

Source 3: Deceptive Spiritual Influence

Scripture teaches that spiritual deception exists.

This does not mean every strange thought is demonic.

It means believers should remain spiritually aware and biblically grounded.

Session 8 will examine these possibilities more carefully.

33. THE GOAL IS DISCERNMENT, NOT FEAR

You should not leave this lesson afraid of every spiritual experience.

The purpose is to develop maturity.

You can receive what is good.

You can reject what is false.

You can admit when you do not know.

You can wait.

You can test.

You can study.

You can remain open to God without becoming gullible.

That balance is essential.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE

My Communication With God Inventory

Answer the following questions honestly.

1. Which ways do I most commonly expect God to communicate with me?

2. Do I rely heavily on dreams, prophecy, feelings, signs, or impressions?

3. How regularly do I study Scripture?

4. Have I ever assumed something came from God without testing it?

5. Have I ever misinterpreted a dream, impression, or circumstance?

6. How did I discover that I was mistaken?

7. What can I do differently in the future?

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

The Discernment Journal

For the next seven days, keep a short journal.

Whenever you believe you may have received spiritual guidance, record:

1. Date and time.
2. What happened.
3. What you thought it meant.
4. What emotions you were experiencing.
5. Relevant Scripture.
6. Whether you acted immediately or waited.
7. What happened afterward.
8. What you learned.

Do not try to create spiritual experiences.

Record only what naturally occurs.

At the end of seven days, review your journal and look for patterns.

STUDENT REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Name five ways God communicated with people in Scripture.
2. Why must Scripture remain central when testing spiritual experiences?
3. Does the existence of biblical dreams prove that every dream comes from God? Explain.
4. Why should prophecy be judged?
5. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:21 mean when it says, “Prove all things”?
6. Why should spiritual impressions be handled with humility?
7. What is the difference between an experience and an interpretation?
8. Why should circumstances never overrule clear Scripture?
9. What danger can arise from constantly seeking signs?
10. What should you do when you are uncertain whether God has spoken?

PERSONAL APPLICATION

The form of spiritual guidance I depend upon most is:

One area in which I need greater discernment is:

One experience from my past that I now realize I may have interpreted too quickly is:

One principle from this lesson that I will begin applying immediately is:

SESSION 3 QUIZ

1. Hebrews 1 teaches that God spoke in times past through:

A. Politicians
B. Prophets
C. Philosophers
D. Soldiers

Answer: B

2. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, Scripture is:

A. Inspired by God
B. Only historical
C. Optional for mature believers
D. Less important than prophecy

Answer: A

3. Which statement is correct?

A. Every dream comes from God
B. Every prophecy should be accepted
C. Spiritual experiences should be tested
D. Every open door proves God’s will

Answer: C

4. First Thessalonians 5:21 says:

A. Believe all things
B. Prove all things
C. Reject all prophecy
D. Follow every sign

Answer: B

5. Acts 8 records the Spirit speaking to:

A. Peter
B. Philip
C. James
D. John

Answer: B

6. A powerful spiritual experience automatically proves that the interpretation is correct.

True or False?

Answer: False

7. Which should have the greatest authority in testing a claimed revelation?

A. Feelings
B. Circumstances
C. Scripture
D. Personal preference

Answer: C

8. Christians should actively seek contact with angels.

True or False?

Answer: False

9. If you do not understand a dream, what is an acceptable response?

A. Invent an interpretation
B. Ask anyone who claims prophetic ability
C. Admit that you do not know what it means
D. Assume it predicts disaster

Answer: C

10. Which attitude best supports spiritual discernment?

A. Pride
B. Fear
C. Humility
D. Impulsiveness

Answer: C

KEY TRUTHS TO REMEMBER

1. God has communicated with people in many ways throughout Scripture.
2. Jesus Christ is central to God’s revelation.
3. Scripture remains the established standard for doctrine and discernment.
4. The Holy Spirit guides believers.
5. God can use dreams and visions.
6. Not every dream or vision comes from God.
7. Prophecy must be judged.
8. Spiritual impressions should be handled with humility.
9. Wisdom, counsel, and circumstances can contribute to guidance.
10. An experience and the interpretation of that experience are not always the same thing.
11. Spiritual experiences must agree with Scripture.
12. God’s communication will agree with His revealed character.
13. Believers should not become dependent upon signs.
14. God’s silence does not mean He has abandoned you.
15. Mature believers remain open to God while testing what they receive.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, thank You that You have not left us without truth.

Thank You for Your Word.

Thank You for Jesus Christ.

Thank You for the Holy Spirit.

Teach me to recognize Your truth without becoming careless or gullible.

Help me to test what I hear, what I feel, what I dream, and what others tell me.

Give me humility to admit when I do not know.

Protect me from deception.

Protect me from pride.

Protect me from interpreting my own desires as Your voice.

Help me to become deeply grounded in Scripture.

Give me wisdom.

Give me discernment.

Lead me in truth.

May every genuine spiritual experience draw me closer to Jesus Christ and produce obedience in my life.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.