How to Develop Spiritual Sensitivity and Discernment

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27).

Spiritual sensitivity and discernment of the voice of the Spirit should not be difficult as a child of God. If you find it difficult, it’s not because His voice is weak when He speaks. Rather, it’s because you are yet to train yourself to discern the voice of the Spirit.

Often times, God’s will is different from what natural signs tell you, and what your feelings (or those around you) may tell you.

The things of God don’t appeal to the senses, for they are spiritually discerned. “But the natural man receiveth, not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Spiritual sensitivity and discernment

As believers in Christ, we’re enjoined to grow unto maturity in the things of God (Ephesians 4:13). This admonition is not just for some class of Christians, rather, for every child of God.

Clear evidence of spiritual maturity is the ability to discern and walk in God’s perfect will for your life. God’s Word is His will expressed.

And as the Psalmist describes in Psalm 119:105, the Word of God is a lamp; it’s a light that gives direction and guidance.

#1- Develop a voracious appetite for the Word

You need to know God’s Word, as that’s the only way you can understand and walk in His perfect will for you. Study the Word and know it for yourself. The voice of God’s Spirit is made known to you through the written Word.

#2- Learn to act on the Word quickly

When you receive instructions or counsel from God’s Word, don’t delay; act at once. That’s learning to train your spirit.

#3- Pray the Word

Prayer helps to condition your spirit to become a dependable receptacle of God’s ideas, visions, and promptings. In other words, how you pray, what you pray about, and the content of your prayer (on the basis of the Word), determine how sensitive your spirit will be to His voice.

#4- Desire spiritual things

Desire things that matter to God: desire them from your heart and pursue them. The proof of desire is pursuit. Engage in activities that’ll edify your spirit such as soul winning, participation in church meetings and services, etc. Commit your resources – time, money and attention to the things that matter to the Lord.

#5- Pray fervently and consistently in tongues

This is very important in discerning walking in God’s perfect will. Because it keeps your spirit attuned and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Prayer times are moments of heavenly glory and spiritual ecstasy as your spirit is refreshed and your sensitivity to the Spirit is enhanced.

As you fellowship with the Lord through prayer it becomes easier for you to receive direction and guidance in your spirit.

Say this

“My spirit is sensitive to God’s voice. I’m able to discern His voice and counsel to me always because I’m His sheep. The ways of the Spirit have been manifested unto me. I am guided from within and through the Word to know and walk in the paths of life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Further study

Isaiah 30:21, Acts 13:2