Slain in the Spirit

[Maureen]

I have a marvelous writing given to me on Wheat and Tares
I'll see if I can put it on here.
Haven't done all the underlining and pink but I hope you can
understand the rest, did the first one's only.

Wheat And Tares(Wheat-bold and underlined, Tares-pink)
What is the difference?
One is convicted in the Presence of God
The other is defensive
As a result, one knows God & is known by Him
The other does not know God, nor is known by Him
Both may look the same*-- have similar-looking talk, works
Both think they talk to God, hear from God, are empowered by Him
One draws men to God

The other draws men to himself
One is life-giving food
The other is counterfeit
One is constantly being corrected, & grows spiritually & in humility
The other is being fed intellectually &/or emotionally, & grows in hardness (spiritual pride)
One is convicted of the same sins he sees in others
The other is thankful he is not like those he considers his spiritual inferiors
One repents at the most gentle rebuke of the Holy Spirit
The other requires bold hard correction, & is still likely to reject it
One knows he is not worthy of Salvation
The other bases his worthiness upon his religious activity (he thinks) FOR God
Since he does not have to DO to maintain his illusion of worth, one is at rest -- whether openly serving, or inwardly communing
The other must be religiously busy to keep alive his sense of value & safety before God
The scary thing is that both 'know' that they are right with God
Until they meet Him face to face*--
One is confirmed, having the same spirit
The other is rejected, having been deceived by a religious spirit
Both may teach & "believe" the same doctrines
But one is a tare & the other wheat
One admits he has no right to be there except by the blood of Christ
The other tries, unsuccessfully, to defend himself by his record of works
One spends eternity in the Presence of God
The other spends eternity in the presence of his god
Which are you?
If you think you cannot be deceived, then you already are
Can, & do you receive correction by the Holy Spirit through "unworthy" vessels?
Do you defend yourself against your own conscience (what is left of it) by remembering/relating your "good works?"
Are you easily 'insulted' when doubted or accused of wrong?
Or thankful for an opportunity to possibly draw closer to God?
You know which best describes you.....
So you really know whether you are wheat or tare.....
You cannot change your own nature.....
Only One can, & you have to give your permission.
All of us start out in life as Tares
Some become wheat & continue as wheat
Others become wheat & turn back from the Way
They may, or may not, keep mostly the same "beliefs"
But are on a different road, going a different direction
And ending up in a different place......
*
Not every one who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father, who is in heaven.* "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'** Matt. 7:21-3
Matt. 10:34-9
Matt. 16:23-6
I Cor. 1 - 4
*

 

[aaroncam85]

hi i do not agree or disagree with being slain in the spirit i feel the person should decide if their experience was genuine, i have one question though which is why does it happen does it edify the church ?

 

[Beans]

Thanks Kenwyn.
I agree that falling backwards or forwards does not seem to be the core issue.
Of the 4 options you presented, I would have to say that from my experience I think I have only seen the fake option.

I've had pastors try to push me over and then say that I was resisting the Holy Spirit, which has really put me off the whole "slain in the spirit" phenomenon.
I think they got cranky with me because I would not play along with their game, which I feel is just lifting them up, instead of the Lord.

The real test is (as someone said) the Fruits of The Spirit. Not signs and wonders.

 

[Sonseeahray]

I grew up in Pentecost and I always avoided this falling down stuff - didn't understand it at all. Wasn't sure if people were cooperating with this phenomenon or what. Never cared to be made a spectacle of - so I would always disappear when this manifestation appeared.

I had volunteered in 1997 to usher at special meetings at the WoF Church that I was attending in Warren, Ohio. In these meetings there was more manifestation going on than I had ever seen before. At the end of the last meeting of the series the guest Evangelist called forward all of the ushers who had served in the meetings into a semi circle at the front - I couldn't escape; and the evangelist touched each one on the forehead and 100,000 volts of painless electricity went through each of us. We all went down rather violently - one after the other. Well after this I didn't hide anymore.

My wife doesn't seem to fall down like I do. I always thought that falling down meant that you were sensitive to the Spirit – just the opposite is true according to her. My wife is an Intercessor – prays all the time. The last time we both went up and I fell and she didn't I was a bit puzzled. She said that she had been in a state of prayer all day long and when she stood in front of the minister she felt a strong wave of anointing, but didn't fall down. She says that we need to learn to stand in Gods presence without falling down. She says we do this by receiving the anointing in our spirit and not in our bodies. In fact on a previous occasion a minister had said not to pray when you come forward, or you will not fall down. According to my wife he had it backwards as falling down is not the end result or the goal.

A lot of people don't seem to respond at all. Graham Cooke says that God usually has us in one of two modes - manifestation or hiddenness. If you are in the hiddenness mode chances are that you will not be affected. No there is nothing wrong with you if you do not respond. If you are in the manifestation mode you will probably be affected. Cooke says that you learn more and progress more rapidly in the hiddenness mode.

My wife found a passage for me from Rick Joyner's book titled, “The Torch and the Sword.” A heavenly being is speaking to Rick...

“There is no intoxication like life itself, but remember that it is still intoxicating. Many fall under even the slightest touch of His Spirit, and can become drunk in the Spirit by just a taste of this. However, the priests had to learn to stand and minister even in the presence of His glory. If you yield your body to this life you will be drunken. If you yield your spirit, you will be quickened, strengthened, and can see more clearly. You must train the coming ones not to seek to feel good, and not to become intoxicated by this power, but rather sobered, able to see clearly and function in their duty. You will have forever to feel good after you have accomplished your purpose.

I think my wife is right, God is giving us small doses of his power in order to train us to be able to stand in it and to receive his power spiritually and not physically. This makes some sense to me as just falling down never has.

 

[will]

I went searching for this subject after this weekend at a women's retreat. Before Friday, I was very skeptical if it was genuine when people do this. I attend a non-denomonational church, but my friend invited me, and she is a member of a Assembly of God. (how do you say it?) I have felt that they go deeper than mine, however, I am just now going to a church group at mine, so maybe they do.
I was nervous before I went up there, but so much that the speaker had said confirmed things I had been going through. (specific) So my friend came with me,but the speaker went in another direction. I thought maybe it wasn't time. But then a woman was praying for others and she was coming in my direction and I went straight for her. She held my hands and was praying. She paused and then whispered in my ear, "All you have to do is ask...and you shall receive." Then this power came upon me, not scary, and I fell backward. Someone caught me, and I could hear things going on still, but the peace was so heavy, all I could feel was God's love. I didn't want to leave His presence. My eyelids were fluttering. I did it both nights at the retreat, because I wanted more. I had never exeprienced God in this way, and I kept hearing all of this week that I needed to move to the next level, and this got the job done. I feel very close to the Lord now. Nothing I felt was evil or not from God. I just felt this sweet, peaceful feeling. I wanted to run to Him. What was even more amazing, was that both times, both people laid their hands on my belly, for me to bear children. This is something I've been praying for, and neither one of them knew it. One told my friend to lay her hand on my belly for this. 2 different people, that didn't know me.
God changed my mind. We cannot limit God. It's wise to test the spirits. But just because you haven't experienced it, doesn't mean it's not from God. I'm not getting defensive, or trying to start anything. Maybe it's just that you're not ready to receive it yet. But please, don't call something "hogwash" just because it's different. This argument about whether or not falling backward or forward is from God? Irrelevant. The point is, you cannot stand in the presence of God. Everybody reacts differently. It depends on what God wants, how much He gives. There are many things I have experienced from God that are not specifially in the Bible...multiple butterflies right in front of me(i love them)...a huge rainbow right above me to let me know He was there during a depression...a weight on the bed when I asked for peace and sleep...and many more. Again...we cannot put God in a box. If we seek Him, we will find Him. He wants to love on us, He adores us.

Sister, I just want to ask a simple question.
What is it that made you sure that it was God who gave you all these experiences?

 

[B-A-C]

I grew up Pentecostal/Charismatic, but although other churches don't put enough emphasis on the Holy Spirit, some charismatic almost tend to put too much.

In the original post it talks abut Jesus saying "I am he" in the garden, and people failing back. Keep in mind, these people weren't believers (the disciples were, but everyone else was either soldiers or the Sanhedrin). While the power of God caused this, I think it's a long way from being "slain in the spirit".

My question... why would God do this today? What is the purpose for it?
Does it give him glory? Or us? I see so many pentecostal preachers preaching revival and praying for the Spirit of God to fall on people. As if these believers didn't already have the Holy Spirit in them. As if they can just order the Holy Spirit to come and go like it's their servant. As posted already, "slain in the Spirit" is really no where in the Bible. Even in the gifts of the spirit (1 Cor 12) and the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5) you don't see this mentioned anywhere.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The Spirit never calls attention to himself, or tries to exalt himself. The spirit Glorifies the father. This reminds me a little of the "Jesus only" ministry. Yes Jesus is the reason we can go to Heaven, but why are we going to Heaven? Just to see Jesus?

Joh 14:6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

No.. the main thing is to see the Father.

Some churches stress spiritual gifts, and talking in tongues.. while there is really nothing wrong with this, tongues are called the least of the gifts (1 Cor 14:5) yet in many churches it is the ONLY gift you see manifested. No healing, no prophesy, no great teachings, only tongues. Again I ask.. why is this? To give God the Glory? Or to convince ourselves that the Holy Spirit is still alive and living within us?

I do not doubt the Spiritual gifts, and believe they are still in effect today (and will be even more so in effect in the last days - Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17) Many will say "these are the last days". Again I believe the time is close, but as of yet I haven't seen the moon turn to blood and the sky filled with fire and smoke.

 

[ushalk]

is there any reference in scripture what the world knows today as being slain in the spirit? i do not believe there is.

 

[Willoughby]

Sorry to be dragging up an old thread. :embarasse
I read all seven pages of comments and didn't see mention of this particular point. On page one, all the scriptures used as proof of the 'slain in the spirit' phenomena are, imo, regarding a worshipful bowing down from respect or fear. Contextually, they don't seem to represent the same type of event or experience. It seems to be a 'straw-man argument'.

I'm not finding any biblical references to the way some people have related their experiences of some things - such as high-voltage shocks or rolling around on the floor shaking; uncontrollable weeping; being unable to speak or being unable to stand, or falling backwards from a touch with someone waiting there to catch you.

I noticed a good many references to books which elaborate on these things, but I've learned not to put too much stock in anyone's opinion if it's not based solidly on scripture. I've learned(the hard way, but it turned out good, lol) to read THE Good Book myself and allow God's spirit to teach me, instead of those who want to sell me their book telling me what they think the Bible really means.

But I'm open-minded enough to consider the scriptural evidences should anyone care to elaborate further, ie: Is it a command or requirement of God? What are the scriptural references? What is it's purpose, and of what is it 'proof' - faith, piety, calling, etc.?

Thank you for your consideration of my questions.
~peace~
willoughby

 

[james1523]

Our bodies will react to electricity yet we think our bodies won't react to God's power which is like, but stronger than electricity?
But always test the experience.
Slain in spirit is not in the bible....but also the power of God is not a theory or concept or idea, it is real power like electricity.
In many cases the pastor/whoever is physically pushing you backwards or others holding your hands are pulling you down.
Have the experience without anyone touching you and without anyone using mind control or hypnosis on you through waving hands or prayer.. just seek the Lord yourself and you may or may not have it.
Have seen the phenomenon once in a non-charismatic church meeting.. during worship..
It may not be God, it may be a holy angel or it may be an evil angel.
Can be demonic influence similar to new-age/hindu religions (look up Kundalini).
Be careful how it is done.. do we sincerely seek God alone not the experience? Or do we try many attempts to get the experience.. working oneself up into a frenzy or ecstasy through music or other means is common in many religions and tribal communities...they can also have experience similar to feelings of slain in the spirit.
Pentecostal/Charismatic want to be drunk in the Spirit.. have the mind taken over.. but Paul tells us to be sober-minded.
I have experienced waves of peace, waves of God's love and warmth, shuddering, shaking, but in all this time I am in control of my bodily functions and in mentally sound condition. It is like weight being lifted from your shoulders, not you being taken over by mysterious force. But you must judge your own experience for yourself.