Have you ever pondered the art of discerning spirits, specifically, the Light of Christ, the Holy Ghost, as well as malignant influences on our thoughts and actions?
Within our minds, a myriad of voices vie for our attention. But how do we distinguish among these voices, and more importantly, how can we employ this knowledge to our advantage in discerning spirits? Let’s break it down.
At any given moment, we are being receiving information and influence by at least one of three different “voices” in our internal dialogue:
- Our personal voice
- The Holy Ghost
- Tempting spirits
Your Personal Voice
The first voice is your own personal voice, the “I” voice. This inner voice is often insecure and takes the form of questioning and pondering, asking, for example, “Should I take this path?” It is influenced by the Light of Christ, the light and truth you already possess through your eternal experiences current knowledge. Recognizing your personal voice is paramount because it forms the foundation of your discernment, helping to differentiate the other two influencing voices.
There are times where we are purposefully tested without external influences and observed to see if we will be true and faithful according to the covenants we’ve made, so it is of upmost importance to develop and rely on our innate discernment to guide our thoughts and actions.
The Tempting Spirits
The second group of voices comprises the tempting spirits, often associated with the devil or necessary opposition. These voices persistently present reasons and excuses for not pursuing the righteous path. Identifying these tempting spirits is essential, but generally not difficult. To truly be a tempting voice, it must be contrary to light and truth that has already been revealed to you.
Their defining trait of these tempting spirits is that they bombard you with negative persuasion. They won’t shut up. If your personal voice ponders, “Should I call my family together for family prayer?“, the tempting spirits will bombard with every excuse possible to persuade you otherwise:
- It’s too late
- it’s too much of a hassle
- everyone’s already in bed
- not everyone is even home right now
- just do it tomorrow
- etc. etc.
They clearly do everything in their power to intrude on our agency.
The Holy Ghost
The third voice is the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost. It confirms what you should do, offers promptings and gentle nudges, and respects your agency. This voice does not compel or pressure you into action; rather, it gently steers you in the right direction. Often, it will give you guidance once, and leave you to act.
Using the same example as above, if your personal voice ponders, “Should I call my family together for family prayer?” The Holy Ghost will simply give you an affirmative, confident feeling to do so. Though quite often, it is actually a direct prompting from the Holy Ghost to “Call your family together for family prayer” that gets your pondering the question to begin with.
Acting on Spiritual Promptings
The Holy Ghost frequently urges us to perform minor and seemingly insignificant acts, such as reaching out to someone or sharing our testimony. These promptings are typically simple and assuming, so unfortunately they can also be easy to dismiss, but they can have a profound impact and can result in miraculous outcomes.
Keeping Records
An invaluable practice is to document the prompting we receive from the Holy Ghost and our subsequent actions taken. Record what you received, what you did, and revisit them later. Often, you will discern the significance of your actions when you least expect it. As miracles unfold in your life, maintaining a record allows you to bear witness to them.
Conclusion
Understanding the discernment of spirits and how the Light of Christ, the Holy Ghost, and tempting spirits operate is a valuable skill in navigating life’s challenges and opportunities. By recognizing and acting on the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we not only enrich our own lives but also become instruments of positive change in the lives of others. So, pay heed to those inner voices, trust your discernment, and follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost – for in doing so, you may witness the miracles that unfold.