Correlations of Spiritual Senses
Apostle Jan Oosthuizen shared this message at our Legacy of Faith Men’s Camp recently and it expands on the concept of spiritual senses. “Theologians throughout the centuries have described the “five spiritual senses” — capacities of the inner person that correspond to bodily senses but are tuned to perceive divine reality.” J A Oosthuizen.
Each natural sense has a corresponding spiritual sense – the following is a table of correlations between physical and spiritual senses for a believer.
Sense Manifestation Scriptural Echo
Hearing
Teacher Prophetic words, inner promptings, spiritual songs “He who has ears, let him hear” (Rev. 2:7)

Sight
Prophet Visions, inner images, sense of divine light “Your young men shall see visions” (Acts 2:17)

Smell
Pastor
Tangible awareness of peace or holiness (“fragrance of His presence”) “The fragrance of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:15)

Taste
Evangelist Deep inner satisfaction, tears of joy, sweetness of His presence “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8)

Touch
Apostle Shaking, warmth, falling, healing “Power went out from Him and healed them all” (Luke 6:19)

These are the inner faculties by which the soul perceives God — not fantasy or emotion, but a sanctified sensitivity.

How to access Spiritual Senses
“Your desire to hear, is your spiritual ear.” Apostle Andre Pelser
Apply this to spiritual senses – pure in heart will see God. Matt. 5:8

Overcome Idols
Psa 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands.
Psa 115:5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see;
Psa 115:6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell;
Psa 115:7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.
Psa 115:8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.

Identity Stubbornness
Stubbornness is as idolatry – in what areas are we resisting the Holy Spirit? How have we manifested stubbornness when people try to help us?
1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”

Restore Identity
This robs one of identity as a king and priest. Jesus can restore your spiritual identity, but your sense have to be restored to perceive the truth of who you are in Christ.
Jas 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
Jas 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Sometimes people carry idols of a past life with them to a new land and it causes problems: Gen, 30, 31 – what you behold you become.

Hearing — The Rational Faculty (Teacher)
“My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:27).
Elijah heard God in the “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).
“Hear, O Israel” — to hear is to obey (Deut. 6:4).

Definition:
Spiritual hearing is the soul’s reason attuned to the Word — listening to Scripture, creation, and the Spirit’s inner address. The “piercing” of the heart to obey immediately. This is more than sound waves. It’s when you catch God’s voice through Scripture, prayer, or even a friend’s encouragement. Sometimes it’s like a lyric in your head that won’t go away. The key? It always aligns with God’s Word and draws you closer to obeying Jesus. In very few instances, people have reported hearing God’s audible voice, where others could also hear the words. However, most spiritual hearing is about discerning and recognising His Word in daily life circumstances.
How it works:
When love and obedience unite with reason, truth becomes audible. The heart hears what the mind alone cannot. Spiritual Seeing or Intuitive Knowing — εἴδω (eidō) / οἶδα (oida)
“Hearing is a lost art in our generation because people dislike silence, are too busy with their own thoughts, have disorganized minds, are talkative, insubordinate, refuse authority, are disobedient, and are forgetful hearers deceiving themselves.” Andre Pelser
To perceive inwardly, to comprehend or see with insight.
Examples:
• A sermon or verse “pierces” the heart.
• A friend’s casual remark lands as a divine answer.
• An inner sentence during prayer provides direction.
Analogies:
It’s like catching a lyric written just for your life.
Like putting on “noise-canceling headphones for your soul” — blocking static so you can hear God’s playlist.

Practical Tips to Reawaken the Spiritual Senses
1. Create silence daily. Even five minutes of stillness recalibrates your spirit.
2. Fast occasionally from media. Distraction dulls discernment.
3. Pray with your body. Kneel, lift hands, walk — engage physical senses in worship.
4. Feed your soul on Scripture. Read slowly; listen for God’s tone, not just His words.
5. Journal moments of awareness. Where did you “sense” God today?
Reflection Questions
1. Which of my spiritual senses feels most awake right now? Which feels dull or blocked?
2. What “noise” or habit most drowns out my sensitivity to God?
3. Where in my week do I truly see, hear, or feel His presence?
4. How can I practice one new form of sensory prayer this week—seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, or touching God’s goodness?