How do you discern between God and the Devil speaking to you?

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mandasue14

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I am a young adult and I am having a hard time discerning and knowing the difference between God speaking to me and the devil tempting me. There are so many BIG decisions that I need to make right now, like schooling, and career, and marriage. I thought that I had it all figured out but now I am doubting my decisions and I don’t know it its God showing me a new path or the devil tempting me to stray from the path that I thought God had already shown me.
Please share your discernment process, or how you know its God or just a temptation from the devil. I really need to nail these things down so that I can move on.
Thank you so much!
 
The way I tell is I simply ask, “Is this going to draw me closer to God and the way He wants me to live?” If it is then it’s more likely it’s God. If it’s something that would lead me away from God or from the way I know He’s called me to live, then it’s probably not God.
 
It takes time to learn to discern God’s will, and with practice, you can forster promptings of the Holy Spirit, so that they come more readily, are clearer and more understandable.

First you have to be faithful in the small things. If you get a feeling which you think is the Holy Spirit promting you, and it is not a big matter (like marriage or moving to another state) then follow it. If it is from God, it will leave you with a feeling of peace. That’s not to say it will be easy, but it will leave you with a definite feeling of peace. If it is not from God and was not sinful, then as they say, no-harm no-foul.

But you have to start small, and be obedient.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ (Matthew 25:21)

But people don’t want to hear that. People want to conquer the world before then learn to conquer themselves.

I recommend reading In the School of the Holy Spirit by Jacques Philippe.

-Tim-
 
I find when God wants me to do something, he confirms it in different ways.

For example, I have been struggling with staying at my job. I feel my work is undermined and I am not giving the opportunities that I should be given. I also know that I can’t make any moves until a year has passed for reasons I’m not going to go into here.
I also feel that my ability to move within the department is blocked by the head of the department.

So one week, one person who knows of my situation suggested that I speak to a specific head of another group within my department. I sort of shrugged it off because I believe I would be blocked. That same week, someone else suggested the same thing. That made me realize that God may be speaking to me. So I am praying about that.

Also, I believe we give the Devil too much power. As human beings it is natural to experience doubt. It is natural to weigh different decisions. Take a piece of paper and write the pros and cons of each path. Sleep on it. Look at it again in a few days. Pray for guidance. You might find that you begin to experience some peace regarding one of the decisions. Look for confirmation. A lot of times when we are open to signs from God, we will see them all around us. Most of all be patient and don’t rush into making hasty decisions.

God Bless.
 
mandasue14 said:
I am a young adult and I am having a hard time discerning and knowing the difference between God speaking to me and the devil tempting me. There are so many BIG decisions that I need to make right now, like schooling, and career, and marriage. I thought that I had it all figured out but now I am doubting my decisions and I don’t know it its God showing me a new path or the devil tempting me to stray from the path that I thought God had already shown me.
Please share your discernment process, or how you know its God or just a temptation from the devil. I really need to nail these things down so that I can move on.
Thank you so much!
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Hi mandasue14!

Welcome to CAF! Please feel free to reach out to us at any time if you are having difficulties or need someone to show you the ropes. I have found CAF to be an excellent resource on my spiritual journey and I hope you have a similar positive experience.

Unfortunately, what you state is a common problem. Many saints struggled with this exact thing throughout their lives. St. John Vianney was convinced that he had to live life in solitude and kept trying to run away from his parish, he later admitted that these were thoughts from the devil and he did not properly discern them. St Gemma Galgani would hear voices that were sweet and alluring and think they were coming from the Virgin Mary, it was only after they asked her to remove religious objects like her rosary and crucifix that she realized who was really behind them.

The best way to discern is to get a spiritual director. Find a good priest who you trust and then start meeting with him regularly (about once a month). He will be able to help guide you better than any of us. Besides that, spend lots of time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. When you think you are getting something from the Lord, ask him. Say “Lord, is this thought of Your Kingdom?”. Ask Him to send you a sign to clarify, ask the saints to intercede for you.

One rule of thumb I have noticed is that rarely does He ever ask anything in haste. Usually, He slowly guides us to our vocation. So don’t sweat it too much, and don’t become too anxious over it. The devil often tries to use our anxiety to force us into hastily making the wrong decision.

I think you’ll find that with prayer, patience and a spiritual director, you’ll slowly be guided to your vocation.

Best of luck! You are in my prayers!
 
mandasue14 said:
I am a young adult and I am having a hard time discerning and knowing the difference between God speaking to me and the devil tempting me.
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I would suggest either reading the Bible or the Catechism of the Catholic Church. And if whoever’s speaking to you matches the Bible or the Catechism’s words it’s God but if it contradicts the Bible and the Catechism, it’s the Devil.

God bless,

David
 
Excellent book on discernment: “Weeds Among the Wheat” by Fr. Thomas Green. Available from Ave Maria Press.
 
Thanks so much to all of you! These posts have really helped!
I have already gained a clearer vision from what you said Stephen! “He rarely asks anything in haste”! This truly truly helped!
In Christ’s Love,
Amanda/Mandasue14
 
I think it is also useful to remember that sometimes, God may not be guiding us to one particular thing. Sometimes we might have a choice of a number of good things we could do, and we have to make a decision for ourselves. One might choose to marry and make family one’s vocation, or study to work in a demanding profession and remain single. God gives us freedom to make some choices of our own, which can sometimes be harder than when he gives us an indication one way or the other.
 
mandasue14 said:
Thanks so much to all of you! These posts have really helped!
I have already gained a clearer vision from what you said Stephen! “He rarely asks anything in haste”! This truly truly helped!
In Christ’s Love,
Amanda/Mandasue14
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I’m happy to hear it! Best of luck!
 
Irishgal49 said:
The way I tell is I simply ask, “Is this going to draw me closer to God and the way He wants me to live?” If it is then it’s more likely it’s God. If it’s something that would lead me away from God or from the way I know He’s called me to live, then it’s probably not God.
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That is the approach I take.

More often than not I can’t say if it’s me or God speaking to me, but if it draws me closer to Him and living more charitably with others, that regardless of who is the source of inspiration, it’s all good.

If on the other hand, it separates me from God or causes division between me and others, I try to be mindful and reject it.

But it’s not easy for sure and I am often times second quessing myself
 
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