Every sincere seeker of truth eventually faces this question:
“How do I know if what I feel, see, or sense is truly from God—or simply my own wishful thinking?”
In moments of prayer, meditation, or sudden illumination, spiritual messages often appear clothed in beauty and peace. Yet not all light comes from Heaven. Even Saint Paul warned that “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
So how do we tell the difference between divine inspiration and delusion? Between guidance from angels and projections of our own desires?
The Christian mystical tradition, stretching from the Apostles to the present day, offers profound tools for discernment.
Let’s explore how the great spiritual masters approached this question—beginning with one of the most systematic teachers of inner discernment: Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
Saint Ignatius and the Rules for Discernment of Spirits
In the 16th century, Saint Ignatius of Loyola—founder of the Jesuits—developed a method of inner examination known as the Rules for the Discernment of Spirits. His insights remain among the most practical ever written for anyone who seeks authentic divine inspiration.
Ignatius believed that two kinds of spiritual movements influence the human soul:
- The good spirit, which leads us toward faith, peace, love, and humility.
- The evil spirit, which leads us toward confusion, pride, despair, and disobedience.
But the trick, he noted, is that the evil spirit doesn’t always feel bad. It often appears as sweetness or light—until we test it.
The Ignatian Test: The Fruits of the Spirit
Ignatius taught that true divine inspiration produces lasting peace, even when it challenges us. A message that is truly from God deepens humility, inspires love of neighbor, strengthens virtue, and draws us closer to trust in God’s mercy.
False inspirations, however, often start with excitement or pleasure but end in agitation, self-focus, and disquiet.
“The good angel touches the soul gently, lightly, sweetly,” wrote Ignatius,
“as a drop of water enters a sponge.
But the evil spirit touches sharply and with noise, like a drop of water falling on a stone.”
Thus, if a supposed “message from Heaven” makes you restless, fearful, self-important, or prideful—it’s worth questioning.
Angels in Christian Mysticism: Testing the Source of Visions
Throughout Christian history, mystics have spoken of encounters with angels, saints, or divine light. But the Church’s tradition has always urged testing the spirits (1 John 4:1): “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
How the Mystics Tested Their Experiences
Mystics like Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Hildegard of Bingen knew that not every vision or voice was divine. They advised spiritual seekers to submit their experiences to three tests:
- The test of humility – True spiritual inspiration never breeds arrogance. If a vision or voice tells you that you are chosen, special, or superior—it’s likely not of God. Authentic divine messages deepen humility.
- The test of obedience – True inspiration never contradicts Church teaching or leads you away from goodness. If a message encourages disobedience, indulgence, or rebellion, it fails the test.
- The test of peace – As Saint John of the Cross noted, genuine spiritual light leaves the soul calm and clear. False light leaves the soul turbulent, anxious, or proud.
Angels sent by God, he said, leave behind a trail of peace, just as sunlight leaves warmth.
The Angelic Signature
When the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary, his first words were “Do not be afraid.”
That is the hallmark of divine inspiration—it reassures rather than alarms.
Authentic angelic messages tend to align with the truth of Scripture, encourage virtue, and invite surrender to God’s will—not the ego’s cravings.
How the Early Church Fathers Differentiated Divine and False Light
The earliest theologians of Christianity, known as the Church Fathers, also wrestled with how to discern between true and false spiritual experiences.
Writers like Saint Anthony of the Desert, Saint Augustine, and Origen warned that the human imagination is fertile ground for both divine and deceptive influences.
Saint Anthony’s Desert Lessons
Saint Anthony, the father of monasticism, often faced dazzling apparitions during prayer. Some were holy; others were demonic illusions meant to deceive him.
He discovered that false light is loud, boastful, and demanding—while divine light is gentle, modest, and pure.
“The demons appear brilliant,” Anthony said,
“but their brilliance brings terror.
The vision of the Lord brings joy.”
True divine light strengthens the will and anchors the soul in love. False light dazzles the senses but leaves the heart anxious or inflated.
Saint Augustine on Inner Illumination
Saint Augustine, in his Confessions, reflected that the inner voice of God can be recognized by its effect:
it turns the heart toward goodness, mercy, and truth.
Ego-born fantasies, however, turn the heart inward—toward self-importance or despair.
He cautioned that the devil’s favorite disguise is spiritual pride—the belief that one’s private revelation is superior to the Church, Scripture, or tradition.
Thus, humility remains the surest safeguard of truth.
Biblical Signs of Authentic Inspiration
Scripture itself provides a foundation for discernment. The Bible shows us that authentic divine messages share four common traits:
- They align with God’s character and Word.
True inspiration never contradicts Scripture or the moral law. “The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth,” said Jesus (John 16:13). - They bear good fruit.
As Christ taught, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Genuine inspiration results in patience, charity, peace, and faith. False inspiration produces confusion, anger, or egoism. - They endure testing.
God’s messages withstand scrutiny, reason, and time. False inspirations crumble under examination or lead to inconsistency. - They glorify God, not the self.
The Holy Spirit’s voice magnifies the Creator. The false spirit magnifies the messenger.
In short, true divine inspiration expands love; wishful thinking expands self.
Practical Ways to Test a Spiritual Message
If you ever receive a sudden insight, dream, or inner prompting and wonder if it’s from Heaven or from your own mind, here are practical ways to test it:
- Pause before reacting.
Authentic inspiration doesn’t demand haste. Truth can bear the weight of patience. - Examine its fruits.
Does this message lead to peace, humility, and service—or fear, pride, and anxiety? - Compare it with Scripture.
God’s Spirit never contradicts God’s Word. - Seek wise counsel.
The mystics never trusted their private revelations alone—they brought them to spiritual directors or confessors for discernment. - Pray for clarity, not confirmation.
Ask God, “If this is from You, deepen my peace. If not, let it fade.”
The Heart’s Compass
Discernment is not about suspicion—it’s about learning the language of Heaven.
True inspiration whispers, not shouts. It calls, not coerces.
It builds bridges, not walls.
As Saint Ignatius taught, God’s voice moves us “gently and sweetly” toward love.
And as the Bible reminds us, “Perfect love casts out fear.”
When light comes wrapped in peace, humility, and goodness—
you can trust that it shines from above.