Once in a while I get asked how you know if you’re actually hearing God. The “Satan appears as an angel of light” verse from 2 Corinthians 11 is quoted as reason for their fear of not recognizing God’s authentic voice.
The answer is in God’s nature. He is love itself (1 John 4:8). The enemy may be able to appear as an angel, but he sucks at faking love, joy, and peace, because he has none.
If you want to know God’s voice and dismiss counterfeits, live inside love. Refuse to hate anyone or consider yourself better than them. The enemy delights in pointing out failures and flaws, but the Holy Spirit is amazing at showing you who someone really is regardless of them.
Keep your heart open to the rest of the fruits of the Spirit—to joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Each one of them will produce a closeness to Jesus, and keep you from settling for cheap counterfeits.
Equip Your Spirit 