(a) There is a certain type of discernment of spirits that is reserved for the Church alone. In fact, she uses this grace, it is my understanding, when analyzing the validity of certain apparitions. It is this discernment of spirits, moreover, that makes second-guessing or even ignoring approved apparitions or private revelations often incredibly imprudent: most of us simply lack the grace to make such a judgment.
(b) There are individuals who likewise possess a type of this grace, but I’m quite sure that it’s rare, and the majority of folks who think they have it simply don’t. Exorcists make use of such individuals, who then inform the exorcist of things which pan out to be true beyond question.
(c) There is a common practice of basing one’s spiritual life on one’s emotions. This is to be avoided at all costs, and what you describe sounds to me like an emotional sort of thing. Having “feelings” is not the same thing as discernment. Don’t forget that the demon can move our emotions and imitate all sorts of things that might come across to us as being from God.
(d) I would think that knowing that one has this grace should be the result of seeking the judgment of a holy and prudent and knowledgeable Priest. Don’t forget that these gifts aren’t given for ourselves. They’re given for building up the Church, and one must absolutely cooperate with the Church in order to make full use of these faculties, let alone in discerning whether or not one actually has them.
