At birth, intuition is limited to trusting mom. As we learn through our environment, the more frequent we trust our senses, thoughts and emotions.

Some people are naturally more intuitive than others.

Your “knowing” or gut feeling tells you, “answer this way.”

For instance, you’ve talk to someone and just “knew” they are lying.

Staying mindful of this “knowing” mind and keep your eyes open. Chances are you’ll find out that you’re right more than you’re wrong.

Chances are you’ll find out that you’re right more than you’re wrong.

However, one’s feelings can be wrong, and not all inner leanings should be heeded. Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” A life not surrendered to the lordship of Jesus is easy prey for Satan’s suggestions. What may feel like intuition can just as easily be one of the enemy’s “fiery arrows” (Ephesians 6:16). Because of our sin natures, we are prone to error and poor judgment. If relying only upon our own powers of discernment, we can be led astray.

Judges 21:25 describes such a time in Israel’s history: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (ESV). When everyone does what seems right to them, society crumbles into anarchy. Our viewpoints are skewed, selfish, and influenced by evil suggestion when they not subject to the wisdom of God. The Bible speaks often about seeking wisdom as the chief ambition, and, when we do, our intuition can be a safeguard against tragic mistakes

intuition can be greatly enhanced by the Holy Spirit. He is the fountain of wisdom and understanding. Those who “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 25) have the privilege of God’s own perspective on many life decisions as He guides us through His Word. We can fine-tune this ability to hear God by spending time in His Word, in worship, and in meditation. A. W. Tozer, in his classic work The Pursuit of God, writes, “Why do some persons ‘find’ God in a way that others do not? . . . The one vital quality that they all had in common was spiritual receptivity. Something in them was open to heaven, something which urged them Godward.” This spiritual receptivity is the quality that can influence intuition to such an extent that we can walk blamelessly before God (Philippians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Job 1:1).

David “sat before the Lord” (2 Samuel 7:18), enjoying His presence and quieting his spirit. Our spirits hear God when we quiet our minds enough to meditate on His Word. As we seek God’s guidance and pray for direction, He says to trust that we have the wisdom we’ve asked for (James 1:5). Heeding our God-given intuition, we move forward in the way that seems wisest, trusting that the Lord is directing our steps (Psalm 37:23). When intuition is rooted in God’s Word, surrendered to the control of the Holy Spirit, and aligned with God’s wisdom, it can protect us from errors and help keep our feet on the straight path (Proverbs 4:26; 15:21; Isaiah 26:7).

The Hairs on the Back of Your Neck Stand Up - Every human is born with a “flight or fight” effect. Sometimes the hairs on the back of your neck will stand up, or you get prickly and feel like running. Most of the time, you should pay attention to this feeling. Often, you’ll find that when you feel that way a spider is nearby or you are in serious danger. Do not ignore these nagging feelings, ever. Even if you’re wrong, it’s best to be safe.

You Feel a Tug to Help Someone - T.V. commercials use these emotions when they want you to send money to save the starving children in Africa or donate to save abused animals. The feelings you feel when watching those commercials are normal and you should respect them. When you feel compelled to help people, don’t push it down. Freely offer help because to deny your feelings about this will cause you to feel bad about yourself. 

You Feel Pulled to Do Something Different - You’re sitting in your cubicle bored to tears wanting desperately to do something different but you are afraid to change. If you feel pulled in a new direction, take the time to give it some real consideration instead of nixing it immediately. Bill Gates didn’t allow nagging doubt to stop him from becoming so successful.

You Feel Confident in Your Abilities - When you are feeling confident, don’t push those feelings down. You have a right to feel good about what you are doing and to feel capable. When you feel good about yourself it’s not misplaced pride or bragging. So often, people (especially women) are taught from a young age not to boast about their abilities. This puts young women at a disadvantage from their male counterparts when it comes to jobs and fair pay. Allow yourself to feel confident when it’s appropriate.

Make Your Environment Comfortable - Emotions need a safe environment to be felt fully. You’re your own best friend. Only you can create the right environment that is safe for you to feel the emotions that you have. Make your home safe for yourself and safe for your entire family. As Dr Phil says, “home should be a safe place to fall.”

Acknowledge the Different Emotions You Experience - Don’t push away emotions that you have about drugs, alcohol or food. Instead, allow yourself to experience a full range of emotions as appropriate. Of course, you do have to show some measure of propriety in public, but you can express appropriate emotions inappropriate places as they come to you.

Try to Name the Emotions Others Are Having - In order to improve your capacity for empathy, practice naming and expressing the emotions that other people are having. People who can show great empathy to others, even if they haven’t gone through the situation themselves, have much happier lives than those who cannot relate to other human beings at all. You don’t have to be homeless yourself to understand how truly demoralizing the experience is. 

Write Down Your Feelings - Keep a feelings journal for yourself to help you process different feelings that you are having, and different feelings that you note that other people have about situations in life. Your journal can help you work through emotions in a healthy way, as well as give you something to look back at when you are having trouble.

Test Your Judgment Accuracy and Go for It - If you are afraid to go with your gut due to having pushed down the skill from a young age, pick one thing to test. For example, if you feel like you need to switch jobs, start job hunting in earnest. It won’t hurt to go on some job interviews to test your intuition. You might find the job of a lifetime. Or if you feel strange, such as running from a situation, go ahead and do it. 

As you learn to trust your emotions by practising actually feeling them, you’ll get better at discerning what’s right and wrong.