What's the most reliable way to determine whether a spiritual movement is genuinely from God?
I was talking with a friend recently about a business associate who had undergone what he called a "complete life makeover" through involvement in a spiritual self-help movement. On the surface, the changes seemed impressive—this man had become more confident, more optimistic, and more socially engaged. He spoke passionately about his newfound purpose and seemed to have overcome some personal struggles that had plagued him for years.
But as my friend continued to observe this person over the years, some concerning patterns emerged. While he had become more confident and optimistic, he had also become less humble and less willing to acknowledge his mistakes. His newfound sense of purpose seemed to center more on personal success than on serving others.
Most troubling, his involvement in this spiritual movement had actually damaged some of his closest relationships. Family members felt like he had become judgmental and distant. Old friends complained that he no longer seemed interested in them unless they shared his enthusiasm for his new spiritual path.
My friend found himself wondering: if this spiritual experience was genuinely from God, why was it producing someone who was actually harder to love and less loving toward others?
Many of the revivals of modern times have presented a marked contrast to those manifestations of divine grace which in earlier days followed the labors of God's servants. It is true that a widespread interest is kindled, many profess conversion, and there are large accessions to the churches; nevertheless the results are not such as to warrant the belief that there has been a corresponding increase of real spiritual life.
The key phrase here is "real spiritual life." It's possible to have impressive outward appearances—enthusiasm, commitment, even behavioral changes—without experiencing genuine spiritual transformation. The test isn't what people claim about their spiritual experiences, but what their spiritual experiences produce in their character and relationships over time.
The light which flames up for a time soon dies out, leaving the darkness more dense than before. When spiritual experiences aren't rooted in authentic encounter with God's character and truth, they tend to be unsustainable. Eventually, the emotional high fades, the initial enthusiasm wanes, and people often end up more disillusioned than before.
I've observed that genuine spiritual transformation produces specific types of fruit that counterfeit spirituality cannot replicate long-term. Authentic encounters with God typically make people more humble, not more arrogant. They create greater capacity for love, especially for difficult people. They increase hunger for truth, even when that truth is challenging or convicting.
Real spiritual life also produces people who become more reliable, more generous, and more concerned about others' welfare than their own comfort. Instead of becoming increasingly self-focused, they develop outward focus. Instead of becoming more judgmental, they become more compassionate while still maintaining strong convictions about right and wrong.
With every truly converted soul the relation to God and to eternal things will be the great topic of life. This describes someone whose spiritual transformation has reordered their fundamental priorities. They don't just add God to their existing life—their entire life gets reorganized around their relationship with Him.
The fruit test works because genuine spiritual experiences connect people with the actual character of God, which naturally begins to influence their own character. When someone spends time in God's presence through prayer, Scripture study, and authentic worship, they gradually begin to reflect His qualities of love, humility, patience, and selflessness.
Counterfeit spiritual experiences might produce temporary behavioral changes or emotional highs, but they can't replicate the deep character transformation that comes from actual relationship with God. The fruit eventually reveals the true source of the experience.
This doesn't mean we should immediately judge every spiritual movement or experience, but it does mean we should observe carefully over time. Does the movement produce people who are easier to live with or harder? Does it increase their capacity for love or make them more self-centered? Does it develop their character or just their confidence?
The most reliable fruit of authentic spiritual experience is increased resemblance to Christ—not just in religious behavior, but in actual character qualities like love, humility, patience, and selflessness.
How do you evaluate the spiritual movements or experiences you encounter? What kind of fruit do you see being produced in your own life as a result of your spiritual practices and experiences?
"By their fruits you will know them. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?" (Matthew 7:16)
