Chapter 09: Testing the Spirits: A Christian’s Guide to Spiritual Discernment

Introduction: The Critical Need for Discernment

Picture this scenario: Your closest friend, someone you’ve trusted for years, comes to you with tears in her eyes. “I need to tell you something incredible,” she says. “Last week during my surgery, I died for twelve minutes. I left my body, traveled through a tunnel of light, and met a being who radiated such love that I can barely describe it. He told me things about the future and gave me a message for our church. He wants us to start a new spiritual movement based on what he showed me.”

How do you respond? Do you immediately accept her experience as divine revelation? Do you dismiss it as a hallucination caused by oxygen deprivation? Or is there another way—a biblical path that neither naively accepts every spiritual claim nor cynically rejects all supernatural experiences?

The apostle John gives us clear guidance in his first letter: “Beloved, 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” (1 John 4:1). This single verse establishes the foundation for everything we’ll explore in this chapter. Notice what John doesn’t say. He doesn’t tell us to reject all spiritual experiences. He doesn’t say that visions and encounters with the spiritual realm are impossible. Instead, he commands us to test them.

This command for spiritual discernment—the ability to distinguish between what is from God and what is not—has never been more crucial than it is today. We live in an age where Near-Death Experiences are reported by millions, where bestselling books claim to reveal secrets of heaven, and where people from every background describe encounters with beings of light, deceased relatives, and heavenly realms. As one researcher notes in our project files, “Sometimes it’s difficult to know whether someone has had a legitimate experience from God or experienced a deception from the dark side” (Is Christianity Compatible With Deathbed and Near-Death Experiences, Chapter on Testing Spirits).

The stakes couldn’t be higher. If these experiences are genuine glimpses of eternity, they could strengthen our faith and give us hope. But if they’re deceptions—whether from psychological factors or spiritual enemies—accepting them uncritically could lead us away from biblical truth and into dangerous spiritual territory. The challenge is that both possibilities exist. As we’ll see throughout this chapter, the Bible clearly teaches that both authentic divine experiences and deceptive counterfeits are real.

The Biblical Foundation for Testing Spirits

Before we can effectively test spiritual experiences, we need to understand what the Bible teaches about the spiritual realm and our interaction with it. The Scriptures provide us with a comprehensive framework that acknowledges both the reality of spiritual experiences and the dangers of deception.

The Reality of the Spiritual Realm

The Bible presents the spiritual realm as absolutely real and actively engaged with our physical world. This isn’t a primitive worldview that modern science has outgrown—it’s a fundamental aspect of reality that the Scriptures consistently affirm from Genesis to Revelation. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we find over 300 references to spiritual beings, both good and evil.

Consider the evidence from Scripture. Angels appear to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and countless others. Prophets receive visions of heavenly realms. The apostle Paul himself describes being “caught up to the third heaven” in what many scholars consider a near-death-like experience (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). As noted in the research files, “The Apostle Paul’s experience in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 [serves] as the primary biblical example” of an NDE-like experience, where he experienced “out-of-body sensation (‘whether in the body or out…’), journey to a heavenly realm (‘third heaven,’ ‘Paradise’), and ineffability (‘heard things that are not to be told’)” (Is Christianity Compatible, Chapter 4).

But here’s where many modern Christians make a critical error. While accepting the biblical accounts of spiritual experiences, they often dismiss or explain away contemporary reports of similar encounters. This creates an inconsistency in our worldview. If God granted visions and spiritual experiences to people in biblical times, why would He suddenly stop? The answer isn’t that such experiences have ceased, but that we need biblical wisdom to evaluate them.

The Reality of Spiritual Deception

Just as the Bible affirms the reality of genuine spiritual experiences, it also warns repeatedly about the dangers of deception. This is perhaps the most sobering aspect of spiritual discernment: not everything that appears spiritual is from God.

The apostle Paul provides one of the most crucial warnings in all of Scripture: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). Think about the implications of this passage. Satan doesn’t always appear as a horrifying demon or an obviously evil presence. He can appear as an “angel of light”—beautiful, radiant, seemingly holy.

This biblical truth has profound implications for evaluating NDEs. When someone reports meeting a “being of light” during their experience, we cannot automatically assume this being is divine. As Michael Sabom notes in his research, “In some instances ‘Jesus’ supposedly passed on messages and instructions to near-death experiencers… Since these teachings of ‘Jesus’ encountered by Ritchie and Eadie contradict Scripture—something the biblical Christ never did—their ‘Jesus’ is clearly not the same as the historical Jesus of Scripture” (Light & Death, Testing the Identity of Jesus section).

The Three Essential Questions for Discernment

How then can we distinguish between authentic divine experiences and clever counterfeits? Through careful study of Scripture and analysis of hundreds of NDE accounts, we can identify three essential questions that serve as our primary tools for spiritual discernment. These questions aren’t arbitrary—they’re derived directly from biblical teaching about how to identify truth from error.

Question One: What Does It Teach About Jesus Christ?

This is the foundational question for all spiritual discernment. The apostle John makes this explicitly clear: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God” (1 John 4:2-3). But what does this mean in practical terms when evaluating an NDE?

First, we must understand what the Bible teaches about Jesus. He is not merely a good teacher, an enlightened master, or one path among many to God. Scripture presents Jesus as the unique Son of God, fully divine and fully human, who died for our sins and rose from the dead. He himself declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

When someone has an NDE and encounters a being claiming to be Jesus, we must ask specific questions about what this “Jesus” teaches. Does he affirm his unique role as Savior? Does he point to the cross as necessary for salvation? Or does he present a different message?

Consider this troubling example from the research files. Betty Eadie, author of the bestselling book “Embraced by the Light,” claimed to meet Jesus during her NDE. But the “Jesus” she encountered taught her that “We have no right to criticize any church or religion in any way” and promoted ideas about pre-mortal existence that directly contradict Scripture (cited in Is Christianity Compatible). Similarly, George Ritchie’s “Jesus” allegedly told him that the biblical teaching about humanity’s sinful nature was wrong, saying instead that “we also have to be gods and not lowly worms” (Light & Death).

These are not minor theological disagreements—they strike at the heart of the Gospel message. When a supposed “Jesus” in an NDE contradicts what the biblical Jesus taught, we can be certain this is not the true Christ but a deceptive counterfeit.

The importance of this test cannot be overstated. Throughout history, false religions and cults have often begun with someone claiming a special revelation from “Jesus” or an “angel” that contradicted biblical truth. Joseph Smith claimed an angel gave him golden plates that became the Book of Mormon. Muhammad claimed the angel Gabriel gave him revelations that became the Quran. In both cases, the “Jesus” presented in these revelations differs fundamentally from the biblical Christ.

Question Two: What Does It Teach About Salvation?

The second critical question focuses on the message about how one obtains eternal life. This is where many NDEs reveal their true nature—not through what they explicitly teach, but through what they conspicuously avoid or contradict.

The Bible’s message about salvation is clear and consistent: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not through our good works, not through multiple spiritual paths, and not through the universal acceptance that many NDEs seem to promote.

Paul was so serious about this that he wrote to the Galatians: “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). Notice the strength of this language. Even if an angel from heaven—a being of incredible beauty and apparent holiness—preaches a different gospel, we are to reject it completely.

What do many NDEs teach about salvation? A disturbing pattern emerges when we examine the accounts. As noted in our research files, many experiencers return with a message of universalism—the belief that all paths lead to God and everyone will ultimately be saved. One researcher observes: “The message that all paths lead to God [directly contradicts] John 14:6” where Jesus declares He is the only way to the Father (Is Christianity Compatible, Chapter 8).

Consider what happens during many life reviews in NDEs. The experiencer is shown their life, often feeling the pain they caused others and the joy they brought. The emphasis is typically on being more loving and kind. While these are certainly biblical virtues, what’s missing? There’s usually no mention of sin requiring forgiveness, no reference to the cross, no call to faith in Christ. The implicit message is that being a good person is enough.

This subtle deception is perhaps more dangerous than outright heresy. It doesn’t explicitly deny Christ—it simply ignores Him. It doesn’t openly reject the Gospel—it replaces it with a gospel of human goodness. As one researcher notes, these experiences often lead people to believe “Death is nothing to worry about…it’s merely a transition to a much better heavenly existence!” as if everyone is automatically headed for heaven regardless of their response to Christ (Is Christianity Compatible).

Question Three: What Fruit Does It Produce?

Jesus taught us a crucial principle for spiritual discernment: “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18).

This test requires more time and observation than the first two, but it’s equally important. We must look at the long-term effects of an NDE on a person’s spiritual life. Do they grow in biblical holiness? Do they develop a deeper love for God’s Word? Do they become more committed to the local church? Or do they drift toward New Age spirituality, become critical of biblical Christianity, or develop an interest in occult practices?

The research provides fascinating insights here. Dr. Michael Sabom’s “Atlanta Study” found that NDEs among his Christian patients actually strengthened their traditional faith. He observed: “NDEs seemed to produce a stronger faith and a higher level of commitment to traditional religious practice” rather than leading them away from organized religion. Of four NDErs who changed their Christian beliefs, all moved “to a more conservative Christian doctrine” (Light & Death, Atlanta Study section).

However, this isn’t always the case. Many NDErs develop beliefs and practices that are clearly unbiblical. Some begin to experiment with astral projection, trying to recreate their out-of-body experience. Others become interested in communicating with the dead through mediums. As our research notes warn: “It’s easy for some to be convinced by NDEs and DBEs, perhaps for the first time, that a spiritual world exists that’s just waiting to be explored. Some will be tempted to explore New Age teachings and mediums” (Is Christianity Compatible).

The fruit test also applies to the specific messages or prophecies that might come from an NDE. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 provides a clear standard: a true prophet’s predictions must be 100% accurate. Yet as noted in our files, many NDErs who claim prophetic knowledge have made predictions that failed to materialize. “One or more prophesied that the world would end decades ago” (Is Christianity Compatible, citing Kenneth Ring’s research).

The Crucial Distinction: Human Error vs. Demonic Deception

As we apply these tests, we must make an important distinction that many critics of NDEs fail to recognize. Not every problematic element in an NDE necessarily indicates demonic deception. Sometimes, what we’re seeing is simply human error in interpreting or describing an ineffable experience.

Think about it this way: If you had never seen an airplane and suddenly found yourself in one at 30,000 feet, how would you describe it to your friends back home? You might use familiar analogies that aren’t quite accurate. You might misunderstand what you’re seeing. Your cultural background would influence your interpretation. The same principle applies to NDEs.

The research files note this important distinction: “A crucial distinction [exists between] Flawed Human Interpretation: A person trying to describe the indescribable with familiar imagery (e.g., angels with wings). This doesn’t invalidate the core experience. [And] Demonic Injection: A corruption of the core theological message (e.g., ‘Jesus is not the only way’). This is the true danger” (Is Christianity Compatible, Chapter 9 outline).

This distinction is crucial for pastoral care. When someone in your church shares an NDE, we shouldn’t immediately assume they’ve been deceived by demons if they describe angels with wings (when the Bible’s descriptions are often quite different) or if they say the streets of heaven were “like gold” when they might literally be gold. These could simply be human attempts to describe the indescribable.

However, when someone returns from an NDE saying that Jesus told them all religions lead to God, or that there is no hell, or that the Bible contains errors—these are theological corruptions that cannot be attributed to mere human misunderstanding. These represent either serious deception or fabrication.

The Authority of Scripture: Our Unwavering Standard

At this point, some readers might wonder: “Are you saying the Bible is more trustworthy than direct spiritual experiences?” The answer is an unequivocal yes. This isn’t because we deny the reality of spiritual experiences, but because we recognize that our experiences—no matter how powerful—must be evaluated by an objective standard.

Consider what happened to the apostle Peter. He witnessed the Transfiguration, seeing Jesus glorified and hearing God’s voice from heaven. You might think this experience would be the ultimate validation of his faith. Yet Peter himself wrote: “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19). Even after his incredible experience, Peter pointed to Scripture as “more fully confirmed.”

The research files emphasize this crucial point: “The Bible is our only reliable yardstick; Paul, in his letter to the churches in Galatia, emphatically warns: ‘But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!’ (Gal. 1:8, emphasis added)” (Light & Death).

This doesn’t mean NDEs are worthless or that God never grants genuine visions today. It means that Scripture serves as our “plumb line”—the straight edge against which all spiritual experiences must be measured. An experience might be genuine and from God, but if so, it will never contradict what God has already revealed in His Word.

Why is biblical authority so crucial? Consider the alternative. If we accept spiritual experiences as authoritative regardless of their alignment with Scripture, we have no way to distinguish between truth and error. Anyone could claim divine revelation for any teaching, no matter how aberrant. This is exactly how cults begin—with someone claiming a special revelation that supersedes or “corrects” the Bible.

Specific Red Flags in Near-Death Experiences

Having established our biblical framework for discernment, let’s examine specific elements commonly found in NDEs that should raise immediate red flags. These aren’t minor concerns but serious departures from biblical truth that indicate either deception or fabrication.

Red Flag #1: Universal Salvation and “All Paths Lead to God”

Perhaps no message from NDEs contradicts Scripture more directly than the claim that everyone goes to heaven regardless of their beliefs or relationship with Christ. This teaching, known as universalism, appears repeatedly in NDE accounts.

The research files document this troubling pattern: “Eben Alexander’s conclusions [serve] as an example of a message lacking the need for Christ” (Is Christianity Compatible, Chapter 8). Alexander, a neurosurgeon who had a dramatic NDE, returned with the message that God loves everyone unconditionally and that religious differences don’t matter in the afterlife.

But Scripture couldn’t be clearer on this point. Jesus himself said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). The apostle Peter declared, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

When an NDE promotes universalism, it’s not offering hope—it’s offering false hope. It’s telling people they don’t need a Savior when Scripture says they desperately do. This isn’t a message of love but of ultimate cruelty, as it prevents people from seeking the salvation they need.

Red Flag #2: New Revelations That Contradict Scripture

Another major warning sign is when NDEs claim to reveal new spiritual truths that contradict or “update” biblical teaching. Betty Eadie’s experience, mentioned earlier, provides a clear example. Her “Jesus” taught her about pre-mortal existence—the idea that all souls existed before birth and chose their earthly missions. This directly contradicts the biblical teaching that God forms us in the womb (Psalm 139:13) and that we have one life followed by judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

The Bible warns explicitly against adding to God’s revelation: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book” (Revelation 22:18). While this specifically refers to the book of Revelation, the principle applies broadly—God’s revelation in Scripture is complete and sufficient.

When someone claims their NDE revealed new doctrines about the nature of God, the structure of the afterlife, or the way of salvation that differs from Scripture, we can be certain this is not from God. God does not contradict Himself. As the research notes state: “God won’t contradict Himself. If the new church would teach a strange doctrine, don’t join it!” (Is Christianity Compatible).

Red Flag #3: Minimizing Sin and Judgment

Many NDEs present an afterlife where sin is barely mentioned and judgment is either absent or purely self-imposed through the life review. The being of light often radiates only unconditional acceptance without any call to repentance or acknowledgment of sin’s seriousness.

Contrast this with Scripture’s presentation of God as both loving and holy, both merciful and just. The Bible teaches that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). God’s love doesn’t negate His justice—it provides a way to satisfy it through Christ’s sacrifice.

When NDEs present a God who winks at sin or treats it as insignificant, they’re not revealing the true God but a counterfeit designed to make people comfortable in their sins rather than driving them to the Savior.

Red Flag #4: Encouraging Occult Practices

Some NDErs return with an interest in practices that Scripture explicitly forbids. They might begin attempting astral projection, consulting mediums, or seeking communication with the dead. The research files warn about this danger: “Some will be tempted to explore New Age teachings and mediums. In fact, some promote such practices in conferences that include speakers on NDEs” (Is Christianity Compatible).

Scripture’s prohibitions against these practices are unequivocal: “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them” (Leviticus 19:31). “There shall not be found among you anyone who…uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

When an NDE leads someone toward these forbidden practices, it reveals its true source. God would never use an experience to lead someone into activities He has explicitly condemned.

Case Studies in Discernment: Examining Specific NDEs

To make these principles practical, let’s examine several well-known NDE accounts through the lens of biblical discernment. These case studies will demonstrate how to apply the tests we’ve discussed.

Case Study 1: Dr. Mary Neal’s “To Heaven and Back”

Dr. Mary Neal, an orthopedic surgeon, drowned in a kayaking accident and reported an extensive NDE. Applying our three questions:

What does it teach about Jesus? Neal identifies the being she met as Jesus and describes Him in ways consistent with Scripture—as divine, loving, and central to the heavenly experience. She doesn’t present Him as merely one option among many.

What does it teach about salvation? While Neal doesn’t provide extensive theological teaching about salvation in her account, she doesn’t contradict biblical doctrine or promote universalism. She acknowledges Jesus as Lord and maintains her Christian faith.

What fruit does it produce? Neal reports that her experience strengthened her Christian faith and led to deeper involvement in her church. She doesn’t promote occult practices or unbiblical teachings.

Based on these factors, Neal’s experience passes the major tests for biblical orthodoxy, though we would still want to examine any specific theological claims carefully.

Case Study 2: Betty Eadie’s “Embraced by the Light”

Betty Eadie’s bestselling account presents numerous problems:

What does it teach about Jesus? While Eadie claims to have met Jesus, the “Jesus” in her account teaches things the biblical Jesus never would, including that we shouldn’t criticize any religion and that we all existed as spirits before birth.

What does it teach about salvation? Eadie’s account promotes a form of universalism, suggesting all religions are valid paths to God. This directly contradicts Jesus’ claim to be the only way to the Father.

What fruit does it produce? Eadie’s teachings have led many away from biblical Christianity toward New Age spirituality and Mormon doctrine (she later revealed her LDS background).

This account clearly fails the biblical tests and should be rejected as either deception or fabrication.

Case Study 3: Howard Storm’s “My Descent Into Death”

Howard Storm, an atheist art professor, had a hellish NDE that eventually led to an encounter with Jesus:

What does it teach about Jesus? Storm describes Jesus in biblically consistent ways and credits Him alone with his rescue from demonic beings.

What does it teach about salvation? Storm’s experience led him to embrace Christ as Savior and Lord. He doesn’t promote universalism but speaks of the reality of both heaven and hell.

What fruit does it produce? Storm left his career to become a Christian minister and has spent decades sharing the Gospel. His life demonstrates genuine conversion and biblical fruit.

Storm’s experience, particularly because it includes both hellish and heavenly elements and leads to biblical faith, appears to pass the discernment tests.

The Danger of Seeking Experiences

One of the most important warnings we must address is the danger of actively seeking spiritual experiences like NDEs. In our experience-driven culture, it’s tempting to think that having our own NDE or out-of-body experience would strengthen our faith or give us special spiritual knowledge. This is a dangerous deception.

Scripture never encourages us to seek visions, out-of-body experiences, or encounters with the dead. In fact, it warns against many practices that people use to try to induce such experiences. The research files make this clear: “While the scriptures speak of people having visions and even on occasion communicating with the dead (Matthew 17:1-3), we’re never encouraged to seek such experiences” (Near-Death Experiences as Evidence).

Why is seeking these experiences dangerous? Several reasons:

First, it opens us to deception. When we actively seek spiritual experiences, we become vulnerable to counterfeit experiences from demonic sources. Remember, Satan appears as an angel of light. Those who seek experiences often find them—but not from the source they expected.

Second, it reveals a lack of faith. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). When we feel we need dramatic spiritual experiences to validate our faith, we’re essentially saying God’s Word isn’t enough. This dishonors God and reveals spiritual immaturity.

Third, it can lead to spiritual pride. Those who have dramatic spiritual experiences often develop a sense of spiritual superiority, feeling they have special knowledge others lack. This pride is antithetical to biblical humility.

Fourth, it distracts from biblical spirituality. Instead of pursuing holiness through prayer, Scripture study, and obedience, experience-seekers focus on achieving altered states of consciousness. They substitute experiences for genuine spiritual growth.

The Role of Spiritual Warfare

We cannot discuss spiritual discernment without acknowledging the reality of spiritual warfare. The Bible teaches that we’re engaged in an ongoing battle against spiritual forces of evil: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

This warfare context helps explain why some NDEs contain deceptive elements. The enemy actively works to corrupt truth, confuse believers, and lead people astray. As the research notes: “Because NDEs are powerful spiritual experiences, they are a prime target for demonic ‘hijacking'” (Is Christianity Compatible, Chapter 8).

Understanding spiritual warfare helps us recognize several important truths:

Demons have knowledge and power. The Bible shows demons possessing knowledge humans don’t have and performing supernatural acts. In Acts 16:16-18, a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination could tell fortunes. The demon recognized Paul and his companions as servants of God. This explains how some mediums and NDErs might have accurate information yet still be deceived or deceiving.

Deception often contains truth mixed with lies. The most effective lies contain enough truth to seem credible. In the account mentioned above, the demon-possessed girl followed Paul for days, shouting true statements about him being a servant of God. Only later did Paul discern the demonic source and cast it out. Similarly, an NDE might contain some true elements while still being fundamentally deceptive.

The enemy targets both unbelievers and believers. While unbelievers are especially vulnerable to deception, even strong Christians can be attacked. The research files note examples of godly people experiencing demonic assault: “Saint Anthony of Egypt, who gave up all his wealth to follow Jesus, reported that devils assaulted him repeatedly, ‘both physically and spiritually,’ until he eventually achieved victory over them” (Is Christianity Compatible).

Victory comes through Christ and His Word. The research emphasizes that those fighting spiritual battles need spiritual weapons: “They invoke the authority of Jesus and read Scriptures. They urge the oppressed and possessed to regularly pray, have devotions and attend church” (Is Christianity Compatible). Our protection comes not from our own strength but from Christ’s authority and the truth of God’s Word.

Pastoral Wisdom for Dealing with NDEs in the Church

For pastors, elders, and church leaders, knowing how to respond when congregation members share NDE accounts requires both biblical fidelity and pastoral sensitivity. Here are practical guidelines for handling these situations:

Listen First, Judge Later

When someone shares an NDE, your first response should be to listen carefully and compassionately. Remember that for the experiencer, this was likely the most profound event of their life. Immediate rejection or harsh judgment will likely close their hearts to any biblical guidance you might offer.

Ask clarifying questions: What exactly did they see and hear? What messages, if any, were communicated? How has the experience affected their faith and daily life? Take notes, as details matter for discernment.

Affirm the Reality of Spiritual Experiences

Don’t begin by suggesting the experience was “just a hallucination” or “oxygen deprivation.” The Bible clearly teaches that spiritual experiences are real. As the research notes: “The Atlanta Study found that NDEs among Christian patients actually strengthened their traditional faith” (Light & Death). Some experiences may indeed be from God.

By acknowledging the reality of spiritual experiences, you maintain credibility and show that you take the person seriously. This creates an atmosphere where they’ll be more receptive to biblical evaluation of their experience.

Gently Apply Biblical Tests

Walk through the biblical tests we’ve discussed, but do so gently and educationally rather than confrontationally. You might say something like: “The Bible tells us to test all spirits, so let’s look together at what Scripture says about evaluating spiritual experiences.”

Help them see how their experience aligns or conflicts with biblical truth. If there are problematic elements, help them understand the possibility of human misinterpretation versus spiritual deception.

Address Theological Confusion

Many NDErs return with theological questions or confusion. They might wonder why their experience didn’t match their expectations from Scripture, or they might question biblical doctrines based on what they experienced. This requires patient biblical instruction.

Remind them that our experiences, no matter how powerful, must be evaluated by Scripture, not the other way around. As 2 Peter 1:19 indicates, even after witnessing the Transfiguration, Peter pointed to Scripture as “more fully confirmed.”

Provide Ongoing Support

Whether the experience was genuine, deceptive, or misinterpreted, the person needs ongoing pastoral care. Those who’ve had genuine experiences need help integrating them biblically. Those who’ve been deceived need deliverance and healing. Those who misinterpreted need patient instruction.

Consider connecting them with mature believers who can provide additional support and accountability. If occult involvement is suspected, more intensive spiritual intervention may be needed.

Common Objections and Responses

When teaching biblical discernment regarding NDEs, you’ll likely encounter several common objections. Here are biblical responses to the most frequent challenges:

Objection 1: “But the experience was so real and powerful! How could it not be from God?”

Response: The intensity or “realness” of an experience doesn’t determine its source. 2 Corinthians 11:14 warns that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. Deceptive experiences can feel overwhelmingly real and powerful. This is why God gave us His Word as an objective standard for truth. Even genuine experiences from God must align with Scripture.

Objection 2: “The experience made me a better person and strengthened my faith. Doesn’t that prove it was from God?”

Response: While positive life changes are encouraging, they alone don’t validate an experience’s divine origin. Matthew 7:22-23 describes people who did mighty works but whom Jesus never knew. The key question is: strengthened faith in what? If the experience led to deeper biblical faith in Christ alone for salvation, that’s encouraging. But if it led to universalism, New Age beliefs, or occult practices, the positive feelings are deceptive.

Objection 3: “Are you saying God doesn’t give visions or experiences anymore?”

Response: Not at all. The Bible indicates God can and does grant genuine spiritual experiences. The issue isn’t whether God still works supernaturally, but how we evaluate claimed supernatural experiences. First John 4:1 commands us to test the spirits precisely because both genuine and counterfeit experiences occur. Biblical discernment doesn’t quench the Spirit—it protects us from deception.

Objection 4: “Many non-Christians have positive NDEs. Doesn’t this prove God accepts everyone?”

Response: The Bible teaches that God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). God’s common grace extends to all people. However, experiencing God’s kindness doesn’t equal salvation. Romans 2:4 explains that God’s kindness is meant to lead to repentance. A positive NDE should drive someone to seek God through Christ, not assume they’re already accepted regardless of their response to the Gospel.

Objection 5: “Why would God allow deceptive experiences? That seems cruel.”

Response: God allows deception for the same reason He allows any evil—to accomplish His purposes within the framework of human free will. Second Thessalonians 2:9-12 explains that God allows deceptive signs and wonders among those who “refused to love the truth and so be saved.” Deception often comes to those who reject clear biblical truth. This emphasizes our responsibility to know and love God’s Word.

A Practical Framework for Evaluation

To help apply these principles systematically, here’s a practical framework for evaluating any NDE or claimed spiritual experience:

The Sufficiency of Scripture vs. the Value of Experiences

As we near the conclusion of our study, we must address a crucial theological balance: How do we maintain the sufficiency of Scripture while acknowledging that God may grant genuine spiritual experiences?

The doctrine of Scripture’s sufficiency means that the Bible contains everything we need to know for salvation and godly living. Second Timothy 3:16-17 declares: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

This doesn’t mean the Bible contains all knowledge or that God never acts outside its pages. Rather, it means Scripture provides the complete framework for understanding God, salvation, and Christian living. We don’t need NDEs to know how to be saved or how to live for God.

So what value might genuine NDEs have? The research suggests several possibilities:

They can serve as encouragement to believers. Just as Thomas received the evidence he needed through seeing the risen Christ, some believers may be strengthened by accounts of the afterlife that align with Scripture.

They can challenge materialist worldviews. In our secular age, NDEs provide evidence that consciousness might survive bodily death, opening doors for Gospel conversations.

They can illustrate biblical truths. A genuine NDE might illustrate what Scripture teaches about heaven, hell, or spiritual realities, much like a sermon illustration makes abstract truths concrete.

However—and this is crucial—NDEs never supplant, supersede, or supplement Scripture’s authority. They are at best illustrations of biblical truth, never sources of new doctrine.

The Ultimate Test: Does It Point to Christ?

As we conclude this comprehensive study of spiritual discernment, we must return to the most fundamental question: Does the experience point people to Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture?

This is the ultimate test because Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. Hebrews 1:1-2 declares: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

Any genuine revelation from God will point to Christ, exalt Christ, and lead people to faith in Christ. It will emphasize His uniqueness as the God-man, His sufficiency as the only Savior, and His lordship over all creation. It will not diminish His glory, relativize His claims, or suggest alternatives to His Gospel.

The apostle Paul understood this when he wrote: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). This wasn’t narrow-mindedness but spiritual wisdom. Christ is the center of God’s revelation and redemptive plan. Everything else is peripheral.

When someone shares an NDE that truly points to the biblical Christ—not a false Christ who teaches universalism, not a diminished Christ who is one way among many, but the true Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life—we can carefully consider that God might have granted them a glimpse of eternal realities.

But when an NDE points anywhere else—to self-enlightenment, to universal acceptance regardless of faith, to New Age spirituality, or to any Gospel other than salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone—we must reject it firmly, no matter how beautiful or compelling the experience seemed.

Conclusion: Walking in Biblical Discernment

We live in an age of increasing spiritual deception. Jesus warned that in the last days, “false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). The proliferation of NDEs with contradictory messages about the afterlife may well be part of this end-times deception.

Yet we need not fear. God has equipped us with everything necessary for spiritual discernment. We have His completed Word, which is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). We have the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth (John 16:13). We have the body of Christ, where corporate wisdom provides protection from individual deception.

The key is to actually use these resources. Too many Christians are biblically illiterate, making them vulnerable to deception. Too many rely on feelings and experiences rather than grounding themselves in God’s Word. Too many isolate themselves from biblical community where their experiences could be lovingly evaluated.

The research we’ve examined shows both the potential value and serious dangers of NDEs. Some may be genuine glimpses of eternity that strengthen biblical faith. Others are clearly deceptions that lead people away from Christ. Many fall somewhere in between—genuine experiences misinterpreted through human limitation or corrupted by enemy influence.

Our response must be neither naive acceptance nor cynical rejection, but careful biblical discernment. We test everything, hold fast to what is good, and reject what contradicts God’s Word. We remain open to what God might do while being vigilant against deception.

Most importantly, we keep our focus on Christ and His Gospel. The ultimate question is not whether someone had a spiritual experience, but whether they know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The most important preparation for death is not seeking an NDE but trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross.

As we close, remember the words of the apostle John that opened our study: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). This is not a suggestion but a command. In His mercy, God has told us exactly how to test the spirits—by His Word, by the Gospel, and by the fruit produced.

May God grant us wisdom to discern truth from error, courage to stand on His Word regardless of experiences, and love to help others navigate these challenging waters. And may all genuine spiritual experiences point us not to the experience itself, but to the One who conquered death and promises eternal life to all who trust in Him—the Lord Jesus Christ.

For in the end, the most important truth about the afterlife is not what any NDE reveals, but what God has already revealed in His Word: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

This is the truth that matters. This is the message that saves. This is the standard by which all spiritual experiences must be judged. Hold fast to it, and you will not be deceived.

Bibliography

Atwater, P.M.H. The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences: The Ultimate Guide to the NDE and Its Aftereffects. Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing, 2021.

Miller, J. Steve. Is Christianity Compatible With Deathbed and Near-Death Experiences? The Surprising Presence of Jesus, Scarcity of Anti-Christian Elements, And Compatibility with Historic Christian Teachings. Acworth, GA: Wisdom Creek Press, 2021.

Miller, J. Steve. Near-Death Experiences as Evidence for the Existence of God and Heaven: A Brief Introduction in Plain Language. Acworth, GA: Wisdom Creek Press, 2012.

Sabom, Michael. Light & Death: One Doctor’s Fascinating Account of Near-Death Experiences. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998.

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