"A PRESENCE: 1. any invisible energy field that is psychically sensed and felt to be a life-form (as man knows life) as opposed to an inert energy field, . . e.g., a dead bird in one hand and a live bird in the other hand give two distinct feelings" (Donning, p. 1).

In "War on the Saints," Jesse Penn Lewis ran this interesting comparison about the presence of God and of evil spirits:

COUNTERFEIT MANIFESTATION: "The counterfeit of the Presence of God is mainly felt upon the body, and by the physical senses, in conscious 'fire,' 'thrills,' etc. The counterfeit of the Presence in the atmosphere is felt by the senses of the body, as 'breath,' 'wind,' etc., whilst the mind is passive or inactive. The person affected by this counterfeit "presence" will be moved almost automatically to actions he would not perform of his own will, and with all his faculties in operation. He may not even remember what he has done when under the 'power' of this 'presence,' just as a sleep-walker knows nothing of his actions when in that state. The inaction of the mind can often be seen by the vacant look in the eyes." (p. 153).

TRUE MANIFESTATION: "The Presence of God": Known in and by the human spirit, through the Holy Spirit. When He fills the atmosphere of a room the spirit of man is conscious of it, not his senses. The faculties of those present are alert and clear and they retain freedom of action. The spirit is made tender (Psa. xxxiv.18), and the will pliable to the will of God. All the actions of a person moved by the true and pure Presence of God are in accord with the highest ideal of harmony and grace" (P. 152).

1 Corinthians 14:33, "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." And in verse 40, Paul says, "But EVERYTHING should be done in a fitting and orderly way" (emphasis mine). Comparing the two definitions above from Penn Lewis should serve as a means of building discernment. James 3:14-16, the devil's wisdom, and verses 17-18, God's wisdom, should not be left out of such a comparison either:

"But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and EVERY evil practice" (vv. 14-16).

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness" (vv. 17-18).

Envy and self-ambition are matters of the heart, and only God can see the heart, but wisdom manifests the character of the spirit from which it comes. In the devil's case, "disorder and every evil practice" are manifested. In contrast, God's character is manifested through his wisdom as peace resulting in righteousness. The "every evil practice" are those manifestations that deny God's presence, which brings about things done in not an orderly way, while God's presence manifests in a way that is befitting the peace that He is and is therefore inherent in His wisdom.