Intuition is an innate ability to understand or know something immediately without reasoning or being taught. Many people believe intuition comes from God and can be a form of His guidance in our lives. Though the word “intuition” itself is not found in the Bible, there are many examples of God guiding His people through intuitive senses, insights, and promptings. Here’s an overview of what the Bible says about intuition and following our intuitive sense from the Lord:
1. God speaks to us in different ways
The Bible shows that throughout history, God spoke to His people in diverse ways – directly, through angels, dreams, visions, prophets, circumstances, creation, etc. He also guides believers intuitively through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Romans 8:14 says “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Just as God spoke in many different ways throughout Scripture, He can continue to lead us intuitively by His Spirit if we learn to recognize His voice (John 10:27).
2. biblical figures who operated in intuition
There are many examples in the Bible of people who exercised their intuitive senses and spiritual instincts to determine God’s will and guidance. Some examples include:
- Jesus perceived people’s thoughts, situations, and needs intuitively (Mark 2:8, John 1:48, Luke 9:47)
- King Solomon’s renowned wisdom was an intuitive gift from God (1 Kings 3:9-12)
- The prophets frequently operated in intuitive gifts to prophesy God’s message (Isaiah 6:5, Jeremiah 1:5, Amos 3:7-8)
- Paul’s decisions were often inspired by intuitive revelation and discernment from the Holy Spirit rather than his own reasoning (Acts 16:6-10, 27:10)
- Peter intuited that Ananias and Sapphira were lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-9)
The Bible highlights many more examples of people flowing in intuition under the influence of God’s Spirit. As born-again believers, we can also learn to cultivate intimacy with God in order to receive His intuitive guidance like they did.
3. Growing in spiritual intuition and discernment
The Bible encourages followers of Christ to grow in spiritual understanding and discernment so we can intuitively perceive the will and purposes of God. In Hebrews 5:14, the writer talks about believers maturing beyond the elementary truths of faith into those who “have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” As we walk closely with the Lord, prayerfully study His word, and submit to the renewing of our minds, we become more intuitively in tune with His voice and direction (Romans 12:2).
Proverbs 3:5-6 is a popular verse on following godly intuition that says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” The more we acknowledge, depend on, and have relationship with Jesus, the more He is able to guide our intuition and align us with His perfect will intuitively rather than our own limited logic and reasoning.
4. measuring intuition against God’s word and wise counsel
The Bible warns us to carefully test intuitive senses against the truth of Scripture so that we are not deceived by false intuition. 1 John 4:1 says “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Our intuitive perceptions should always be filtered through the standard of God’s word to make sure they align with biblical principles and values.
Additionally, we should seek wise, godly counsel to help confirm or clarify intuitive leanings when making important decisions rather than be independent, trusting our own intuitive senses only (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22). While intuition can come from the Lord, we need to carefully assess it against godly wisdom and counsel to prevent going off course into potential deception or fleshly impulses.
5. dangers of following our own natural intuition
When operating in our self-focused, worldly nature that the Bible calls “the flesh”, our intuitive senses can be distorted and lead us into all kinds of temptation and deception. That’s why we are exhorted to walk by the Spirit, crucifying and denying the impulses of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17). Our intuitions and gut instincts apart from surrender to God may simply be manifestations of selfish desires, pride, fear, or ungodly influences upon our hearts.
Jeremiah 17:9 warns that “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Our own unrenewed thoughts and intuitions can be corrupted by the deceitfulness of sin. We cannot fully trust our natural intuitions until they are submitted to the cleansing and renewal of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s word. That’s why prayerfully checking our intuitive senses against Scripture and godly counsel is so essential.
6.God-given vs familiar spirits
The Bible differentiates between heeding the voice of God’s Spirit versus operating under deceptive, demonic influences called “familiar spirits.” We are told in Leviticus 19:31 to “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them.” Familiar spirits can actually imitate the voice of God and produce false intuitive senses and prophecies.
This is why we must carefully test intuition, prophetic promptings, and supernatural encounters against the standard of God’s word to ensure we are actually flowing in the Holy Spirit rather than a deceiving, familiar spirit. The Bible says “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20).” God’s true intuitive direction will not contradict Scripture.
7. cultivating intimacy with God
In order to grow in accurate, Spirit-led intuition, we must cultivate greater intimacy in our relationship with the Lord. It is out of this place of truly knowing God and His character that we are best positioned to intuitively discern His guidance versus other influences. The more intimate time we spend in prayer, worship, studying Scripture, and Christian fellowship, the more we will intuit God’s heart and purposes for our lives and situations.
Psalm 25:14 says “The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” God shares the secrets of His will and ways with those who reverently seek Him. As we cultivate intimacy with the Lord, He is able to lead us into deeper realms of intuitive discernment and direction by His Spirit.
8. hearing and following the Holy Spirit
A key aspect of flowing in godly intuition is learning to recognize, listen to, and obey the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27).” As believers, we have the precious gift of the Holy Spirit living within us to guide us into truth and accurate discernment.
The Bible encourages us to walk in step with the Spirit and follow His intuitive leading into the paths God has for us. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).” By submitting to the inner witness and flow of the Holy Spirit, we position ourselves to rightly discern and walk in God’s intuitive guidance.
9. trusting God’s supernatural peace
One of the ways God confirms His intuitive leading is by producing an accompanying supernatural peace in our spirit about a decision or direction. Colossians 3:15 encourages us to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” God’s peace that surpasses understanding becomes an inner umpire that intuitively confirms we are aligned with His will (Philippians 4:7).
When facing difficult choices, we can ask God for His peace to arise within us as an intuitive witness that we are moving in harmony with His plans and purposes. The Bible says God is not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). His intuitive guidance is marked by His supernatural peace in our hearts guiding the way.
10. wisdom, discernment and revelation
The Bible continually directs believers to pursue godly wisdom, discernment and revelation knowledge through prayer and intimacy with the Lord. As we grow in understanding God’s heart and ways through studying Scripture, we become better equipped to test and confirm intuitive senses, dreams, visions, prophecies and leadings from the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:7 states “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Seeking spiritual wisdom and understanding enables us to more accurately walk in God’s intuitive guidance. James 1:5 promises that God will generously give wisdom to all who ask Him in faith.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible shows us that godly intuition comes from the Holy Spirit guiding our hearts into alignment with God’s will and plans. As we walk closely with Jesus, fill our minds with Scripture, submit to the counsel of the Holy Spirit within, and pursue greater wisdom and discernment, we are able to grow in accurate, Spirit-led intuition. Our intuitive senses are sharpened as we become more intimately acquainted with the voice and heart of God through relationship with Him.
However, we must continually test intuitive senses against the plumb line of Scripture, godly counsel, and confirmation from the Lord. Operating in the mind and impulses of the flesh can distort intuition and lead to deception. Our intuitions must be sanctified, renewed, and submitted fully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts, intuition becomes a precious gift and path into the knowledge of God’s will for our lives.