Question:
42.1—Being “slain in the Spirit” is becoming a more and more common/popular thing. We discussed this a little bit at camp and I came back confident it was wrong. Then I talked to a friend of mine who believes it’s right. She used the verse in Revelation that says that God would rather that we be hot than lukewarm. Can we discuss this? Is it right? It seems weird, uncomfortable in my soul.
Answer:
42.1 There is a book by Hank Hanegraaff entitled “Counterfeit Revival” that has quite a bit to say about the “slain in the spirit” phenomenon. This book quotes the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements as saying: “An entire battalion of Scripture proof texts is enlisted to support the legitimacy of the phenomenon, although Scripture plainly offers no support for the phenomenon as something to be expected in the normal Christian life.” Mr. Hanegraaff also cites several examples of serious injury, death, severe depression, and spiritual backsliding resulting from being “slain in the spirit.”
The key point here is that the Bible says absolutely nothing about being slain in the spirit. Very likely it is that fact, plus the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, that makes it seem weird and uncomfortable in your soul. If we study what the Bible has to say about this, we would find that we could be occupied full time taking advantage of all of the activities of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. The anointing of the Spirit teaches us the truth of God’s Word (1 John 2:20,27). The baptism of the Spirit unites us with the other believers in the one body, the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:3). The filling of the Holy Spirit empowers us to speak and preach boldly to others of our Lord and Saviour (Acts 4:31). The Holy Spirit ministers the characteristics of Christ to us (John 16:13-16) that they may be reproduced in us as “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22,23). The Holy Spirit gives to each believer a spiritual gift whereby we are enabled to serve the Lord and build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). If we are faithfully seeking the Holy Spirit’s leading in each one of these areas, we will truly be “hot” or “on fire” for the Lord. In contrast, I can’t think of anything “colder,” less spiritual, or less helpful to others than just lying on the floor, unable to move, for minutes or hours on end.
Was Jesus hot, cold, or lukewarm? How about the apostle Paul? Study their lives and study the Scriptures to find out what kind of life is well-pleasing to God.