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"Slain in the Spirit": Is It Real?
(c) 2002 by Charlie Read newtestament@juno.com I've always valued reason and logic, but when I responded to the call of Jesus on my life something other than cold logic came into play: faith. As understood by a Christian, faith is a belief imparted by God. It is not based upon intellectual reasoning, though it rests securely upon certain historically verified truths; i.e. the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ and the testimony of the Apostles. That initial faith, which brings us into a relationship with Christ, is part of a believer's new life from that point on. As the child of God walks with God, he or she learns that faith is an essential. Indeed, we are counseled: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5,6). Not all things of God will make sense to human reasoning. It probably didn't seem logical to their fellow prisoners that Paul and Silas should be singing songs of praise to God at midnight, their feet in stocks and their backs ripped open by a merciless beating (Acts 16:22-25). It wouldn't make sense to the logical mind to go preach to a group of strangers because of having seen a vision of a giant sheet containing unclean animals descending from heaven (Acts 10:10-16). The Bible tells us to cast down reasonings (Greek: logismos, from which we get our English word logic) and to ". . . (bring) into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). It goes without saying that many activities associated with the Christian faith (prayer, fasting, spiritual gifts) could be considered odd by a so-called rational, logical mind. Most Christians have probably heard of, or even encountered, a phenomenon called "being slain in the Spirit." Sometimes known as "falling under the power," it seems to be found primarily in Charismatic or Pentecostal churches. Those who have this experience fall, usually backwards, into a trance-like state lasting moments or hours. The occurrence is attributed to the power of the Holy Spirit, though it most often comes through human agency by the "laying on of hands." Many folks eye this experience with suspicion, if not condemning it outright as demonic in origin: "The phenomenon of 'falling down backward' is one which has gained unprecedented popularity in today's churches. However, it is a phenomenon which has absolutely no biblical standing whatsoever. In fact, it would indeed be laughable if it weren't so deadly serious an issue for the Church" (Tony Warren: "Is the Phenomenon of being Slain in the Spirit, Biblical?"). Sociologists and psychologists dismiss "being slain in the spirit" as autosuggestion or group peer pressure. As I have watched, via television, individuals and entire groups "fall under the power" upon a preacher's touch or wave, my suspicious mind is drawn to the same conclusion. Even skilled orators or dramatists can manipulate an adoring crowd into a fanatical frenzy, coaxing them into euphoric laughter or emotional tears; it is a form of group hypnosis. I am especially concerned about flamboyant individuals whose entire ministries seem to be built upon unusual manifestations. It seems that the participants often crave these practices more than a truly life-changing encounter with, and surrender to, our sovereign God. It's like a diet of Kool-Aid and whipped cream instead of meat and vegetables. But although I question the majority of "supernatural" antics, I cannot totally discard all instances of "falling under the power." The phenomenon is not a recent innovation, but one that has occurred throughout church history. Individuals have often experienced genuine, intimate encounters with God with results that defy human logic. The apostle Peter fell into a trance while praying (Acts 10:9,11) and Paul was "caught up" into the "third heaven," unsure if he was even still in his physical body. A deeply spiritual experience in which the worshipper seems to be transported into God's presence, unaware of the material world about him, is not at all uncommon. Under John Wesley's preaching in the 1700s people ". . . were struck to the ground and lay there groaning," an occurrence which also accompanied the preaching of Methodist circuit-rider Peter Cartwright, not to mention George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles G. Finney (Stanley M. Burgess and Gary B. McGee, editors: Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, Zondervan 1990). The Bible doesn't offer any compelling evidence for being slain in the spirit. However, one certainly cannot discount this experience as being "out of character" with the often-unusual workings of God. If not for the Biblical mention of Peter's trance, for instance, most Christians would chalk up such an occurrence to fanaticism or emotional hysteria. People overcome with emotion have passed out as the body's way of coping. Electric shock can also cause a temporary loss of consciousness. I see no reason why a touch from the omnipotent God might not produce a dramatic effect like the one many claim to have experienced. In the Old Testament we have this interesting account: "And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD" (1 Kings 8:10,11). In the New Testament, the keepers of the tomb of Jesus "became as dead men" at the angelic visitation (Matt. 28:4); the officers "went backward, and fell to the ground" when Jesus acknowledged himself as "I am" during His arrest (John 18:6). The disciples appeared as drunken after the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts 2, and when John encountered Christ on the Isle of Patmos, he "fell at His feet as dead" (Rev. 1:17). These examples are not, of course, the same as the phenomenon of falling under the power; they are given to show that the presence of God can certainly produce some electrifying results! When we consider such things, being "slain in the Spirit" doesn't really seem too bizarre. I have prayed for people who have fallen like a ton of bricks, but I have never experienced being slain in the Spirit myself. In services both exuberant and mellow, I have witnessed people "falling under the power" of God. One elderly lady was prayed for very gently in a church I attended as a young believer. She took us all by surprise when she dropped over backward, slamming her head into the edge of a solid oak pew. After a few minutes on the floor, whispering praises to God - her hands lifted heavenward - she arose and went back to her seat with no injury. I do not believe that folks should seek after this or any other such experience. We should certainly be mature enough to realize such things are not an indication of greater spirituality or of God's special favor. We also ought to acknowledge that "all that glitters is not gold" - the flesh can counterfeit and deceive. As Christians, we need to exercise spiritual discernment and stay focused on Jesus and the Word of God; yet, realizing that a walk by faith may entail experiences not necessarily in line with human logic. Having said this, if it is real and truly of God, I am open for the Lord to "slay me in the Spirit," put me into a trance, or transport me into the heavenlies at any time He chooses! For me to totally deny supernatural, spiritual experiences would be to deny what Peter, Paul, and countless other believers have experienced. Just as I do not want to be deceived by emotional or psychological substitutes, neither do I ever want to harden myself against a genuine blessing from my loving Savior. Amen!
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