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Testing Spiritual Experiences by Scripture
By Doreen Virtue
How can Christians distinguish a spiritual experience from the leading of the Holy Spirit? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue addresses this important question by showing why feelings, physical experiences, and personal impressions must always be tested by the Word of God. Testing spiritual experiences by Scripture protects believers from deception and directs them to Christ.
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Testing Spiritual Experiences by Scripture
In an experience-driven culture, many people equate spiritual feelings, emotional highs, physical manifestations, or supposed hidden knowledge with the work of the Holy Spirit. But Scripture gives Christians a different standard. The Bereans were commended because they examined what they heard in light of God’s Word to see whether it was true (Acts 17:11).
The Holy Spirit does truly work in the lives of believers. He teaches and reminds Christians of the truth of Christ, comforts them in sorrow and trial, and convicts them of sin. Yet His work never contradicts Scripture, elevates the individual, or turns attention away from Jesus Christ.
Testing spiritual experiences by Scripture means asking whether a claim agrees with God’s Word, directs us to Christ, leads us away from sin, and produces faithful obedience. Christians do not need to chase experiences. They need to grow in knowing, trusting, and obeying Scripture.
Scripture References
- Acts 17:11
- John 14:26
- John 16:8
- 2 Corinthians 7:10
For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit Contending for the Word Q&A.
Doreen Virtue holds a Master’s degree in Biblical & Theological Studies with highest honors from Western Seminary (56 units / 2021), and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University. Prior to being saved by God‘s grace and mercy in 2017, Doreen was a psychotherapist specializing in women’s issues, rated in the top 15 most influential living spiritual teachers by Watkins, and the top selling new age author in the world. She was born and raised in new thought churches which she attended for 33 years, before segueing to new age and Wicca in 1991 while touring with a mind-body-spirit conference organization. Before her salvation, Doreen frequently appeared on Oprah, CNN, The View, Coast to Coast and other liberal secular media. After the Holy Spirit convicted her of her sins, while she read Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Doreen repented and gave her life to Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Doreen has been helping professing Christians to identify and avoid new age and new thought deception. Doreen volunteers in discipling women who’ve been saved out of New Age in a private Facebook group. Doreen was a speaker at the Answers in Genesis 2025 women’s conference at the Ark Encounter. She has been featured on American Gospel 3, American Gospel TV, Daily Wire, Moody Radio, Spillover, Christianity Today, Cultish, New York Magazine, Spiritual Counterfeits Project, Servants of Grace, and other Christian media.
