Spiritual Awareness and Experiences: Encountering the Living God

Every human being is spiritual at some level — but not every spiritual experience comes from God. This article explores what genuine spiritual awareness means for a Christian, how divine encounters change us, and how to discern the true source of supernatural experiences.

What Is Spiritual Awareness?

Being spiritually aware is when a person becomes more alert and sensitive to their inner self and the spiritual component of their complex being, which is often triggered by an exterior spiritual influence or ‘higher power’. As humans, we have a visible physical body; a soul comprised of the mind, will and emotions; and a spirit dimension that relates to the invisible but real spirit realm. Each of these three areas has a vital and distinct role to perform for us to be whole and balanced individuals.

Non-believers, however, are spiritually dead in any relationship with God and are at the mercy of evil spirits in their quest for a supernatural or other-than-human divine touch; although appearing beneficial, these agents of Satan have deceitful and sinister aims (Jn 10:10; 2 Cor 11:14). Many people are interested in and attracted to increased spiritual awareness which involves connecting to nature and the universe through practices such as worldly initiated meditation and yoga. Some also use substances that stimulate the brain, leading to altered experiences, or engage in activities related to the occult or attempt to communicate with those who have passed away.

Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh

In contrast, Christians should only interact with and be under the control of the Holy Spirit, who comes into each believer at salvation (1Cor 2:14, 6:19; Eph 1:13, 2:1-5; Col 2:13; Jas 2:26). There are varying degrees to which we individually yield to His positive influence, thereby becoming spiritually alive. This ongoing conflict within our minds involves choosing whether to allow either the natural flesh or the spirit to take precedence in the situations we face daily (Rom 12:2; Gal 5:16-17; Eph 6:12).

Our default setting (courtesy of Adam and Eve) is to live by the visible, material human nature instead of the higher spiritual nature impacted by the Holy Spirit. The Bible advises abandoning the old nature and adopting the new nature (Eph 4:22-24). Typically, an impulsive reaction to an adverse event reflects human instincts, whereas a thoughtful response signifies spiritual maturity (Gal 5:16-25).

Encounters, Discernment and Seeking Jesus

None of these encounters were actively pursued; they came unexpectedly as part of God's plan to engage individuals in the fulfilment of His purposes. Sometimes spiritual experiences are scary, painful and hard – Paul was blind for three days after his first divine encounter, yet his life was revolutionised from persecutor to Christianity’s greatest advocate (Act 9:1-9,15). Nor are they always sudden, spectacular upheavals; often they are a gradual spiritual awakening of a deep God-consciousness within, changing your perspective and influencing every aspect of life as you fulfil God's purpose for you.

A touch from the Lord brings lasting change for the better if we are responsive to His directions, so it is essential to clearly discern His voice rather than be gullible to Satan’s alternative. It is not a mystical emotional feeling that soon dissipates with little observable difference, but a catalyst that produces an evident change of direction, focus or purpose that brings Him glory as we walk with integrity in His ways.

Be cautious of the manipulation and projection of other people’s desires – be true to your own heart’s convictions. The source could also be our own pent up fleshly aspirations, a reaction to human brokenness or even what we had for dinner last night! In the Garden of Eden, Satan promised Eve spiritual awareness if she ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, “your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:4-5). He contradicted God’s explicit warning of death and accentuated the advantages of defiance of the Divine decree (Gen 2:17); Adam and Eve’s disobedience caused global devastation.

Satan wants to capitalize on any emotionally amplified awareness or weakness in our character, yet we should not blame him for every unpleasant happening or assume we are under spiritual attack. Positive emotions also arise naturally – from a spectacular sunrise or the satisfaction of completing a demanding task – yet these natural experiences are insignificant compared to the profound connection our spirit can have with our Creator.

When a significant awareness is perceived as divine guidance, it typically indicates an impending event or responsibility requiring our involvement. Respond with reliance and obedience, aligned with the divine direction – avoiding delay or haste. Make prayer your foundation, seek God's wisdom, and share with wise individuals for clarity. Avoid rigid interpretations of spiritual encounters; with time and greater understanding, their significance will become clearer.

Each day we should be aware of God’s closeness, for He wants to and does affect our lives – not with warm fuzzy feelings that have no lasting effect, nor solely for our personal benefit, but for the wider community. Expect His enabling to fulfil His call through the daily ‘uneventful’ walk of devotion, discipleship and faithful obedience, with non-believers observing the difference because we have been with Jesus rather than chasing another exhilarating experience (Act 4:13). Attune your heart to God’s generosity in the everyday events and thank Him for His ever-present grace; while God desires to bless us abundantly, our focus is to be on Him, not what He gives. When you are specifically aware of something happening, don’t worship it, dismiss it or deny it – give Him the praise and work with Him to see it fully outworked.

Seeking Jesus, Not Just an Experience

We are not to go chasing after spiritual experiences; if any come as a by-product of connecting with Jesus, they are a welcome bonus rather than the goal. Seeking mystical experiences can be dangerous, leading to spiritual delusion that spiritualizes every event of life – and it is easy to substitute an encounter with God for God Himself. Paul’s deep desire was to personally know Christ and the power of His resurrection – not mere intellectual knowledge, but an experiential understanding that shared in His sufferings to become more like Him (Phil 3:10). While God does speak to us, impressing our minds and bearing inner witness to our hearts, it is seldom by an audible voice from heaven or blinding light (Act 9:3-6). Emotions are an unreliable measure of our relationship with God: when we feel stirred we assume He is close; when we don’t feel Him, we think He is far away.

Although emotions are an important part of our makeup, any genuine encounter with God must go much deeper than feelings to influence our spirit and change us for the better. The mind, will and emotions are the gateway through which we process life, but it is our spirit the Holy Spirit bears witness with (Rom 8:16) – a touch that reaches only the surface produces little lasting transformation. Feelings are fleeting; what God plants deep in the spirit endures, producing changed character (Gal 5:22-23). Satan would rather we focus on the showy surface issues than on the core foundations of walking with God – repentance, humility, obedience, the renewing of our minds and the daily outworking of His Word (Rom 12:2; Jas 1:22-25). The enemy who masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14) is content for us to collect spiritual experiences, provided they never penetrate to the depths where Christ-likeness is formed. So welcome the emotion that may accompany God’s dealings with us, but measure the encounter by whether, weeks and months later, we are more like Jesus as a result.

God never gives His people a continual chain of miraculous life-changing encounters; rather He expects us to trust what He has already done, walk in the guidance we already have received, search the Scriptures daily, and live by faith, not by sight signs (Hab 2:4; Mt 16:4; Jn 20:29; 2 Cor 5:7).

When engaging with Scripture, we face two opposing dangers: first, going beyond what it actually teaches or contradicting its message by elevating human traditions and church teachings above biblical truth. Second, settling for less than what Scripture offers by interpreting God's Word solely through the lens of our limited experiences. This reduces divine revelation to merely what we have personally encountered, implying that if we haven't experienced something, it must not be valid or available. But God's promises and provisions are not confined to our personal experiences. Everything must be tested by the authoritative Word of God (Act 17:11).

Reflection and Application:

• Test every impression, feeling or ‘inner quickening’ against the authoritative Word of God.
• Choose a thoughtful, Spirit-led response today instead of an impulsive, fleshly reaction.
• Thank God for His grace in the ordinary, ‘uneventful’ moments rather than chasing another experience.
• Pursue knowing Jesus Himself, and leave the results of any encounter to Him.

See also: body/soul/spirit, born-again, call/calling, discernment, emotions, experience, guidance, meditation, purpose, pursuing God, spirit realm, spiritual awareness and experiences, spirituality, supernatural, testing, transformation.