Discernment Guidelines when Receiving Listening Prayer

1) Is it Biblical?

Is what we hear consistent with scripture? (1 Tim 3:16). Does the word given accurately represent the God of the Bible as most clearly represented in the person of Jesus (Heb. 1:1-3)? Anything that contradicts or is inconsistent with biblical revelation is not from God.  

2) Does it point us to Jesus? When a word is genuinely from God, it will lead us to Jesus, spur us to deeper love and obedience, inspire worship, etc. (Rev 19:10)

3) Does it bear the fruit of the Spirit? We can tell a tree by its fruit (Matt. 7:16-18). As an apple tree produces apples that which is of the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit.  That which comes from the Spirit of God will produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23). If what we hear is from God it most certainly won’t produce envy, jealousy, fear, bitterness, condemnation, confusion etc. Peace is an especially important fruit for discerning God’s voice. 

4) Is it consistent with 1 Cor. 14:2 ? Does it encourage, strengthen and comfort?

5) Does my Christian community confirm this? In the New Testament we are instructed to test to ensure what we sense is from God is from God (1 Cor.14:29, 2 Thes. 5:19-22, 1 Jn. 4:1). It is important we go to godly and mature Christians (friends, mentors, family) to test what we are hearing to ensure it is from God.