Should We Trust Spiritual Experiences?

Jesus tells us that we should watch out for wolves in sheep’s clothing. That means that we should expect false teachers to have the appearance of godliness even though they should not be trusted. They may look like sheep, and even sound like sheep, but they are certainly not sheep.

What many people don’t realize, however, is that this warning is extended to more than just false teachers. It also applies to angels and demons.

Satan disguises himself as an angel of light

The Apostle Paul says that even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He further cautions,

“but even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8).

This means that a person might interact with a demon, hear a false gospel, all the while thinking it is an angel sent from God.

How should we think about our spiritual experiences?

So what should a person do, if he thinks that he has had an authentic encounter with a spirit? What if a person were to read the Book of Mormon, pray about it, and feel spiritual confirmation that it is true? What if someone feels a strong, positive spiritual feeling after hearing someone talk about God?

The Apostle John gives us EXPLICIT instructions on what to do:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

This means that even if a person were to have a genuine supernatural experience with a spirit that person should not simply believe whatever that spirit says. And even if that experience was accompanied by a positive feeling, we have been warned that we should test what that spirit said, and weigh it against what the Bible teaches.