I was wondering if I could get a take on being slain in the spirit. I never really understood this and have been very weary of it. I don't believe that it talks about it in the scriptures. So for the people who do believe in it, what is the benefit of it?? How do you know that it is God doing it and not you being hypnotized or the power of suggestion? What does it feel like??
In charismatic circles, it is when a move of the Spirit of God overtakes you to the point that you fall prostrate (usually backward, hopefully with ushers catching) and are under the power of the Spirit for a time. Why charismatic circles and not, say, Methodist? Perhaps because charismatics are more open to such moves of the Spirit; for the Holy Spirit is a "gentleman" and will not violate your will.
The bible doesn't carry the term "slain in the spirit," although many events are used to validate it. Such as Abraham falling alseep/trance in Gen 15; Ezekiel's vision in Ezek 43:1-5. Many times it is simply verses that speak of falling to the ground in awe or praise, such as Rev 7:11. In all instances, it is from a powerful move of the Spirit of God.
I've been "slain" only once. And I have to say it was an unexpected experience, but a marvelous one at that. We have an older woman in our congregtation that I, and others close to her, like to call Mama. She's a fiesty Italian woman who can put you in your place faster than you can figure out that you're being put!
She is also a prayer warrior for the church. One service (after service during altar ministry prayer) she points at me and calls me forward. I didn't want to go, but out of respect for her I went. She told me that "God has a powerful touch for you." So I stand before her and she takes my hands. She began to pray in tongues, then just as quickly one hand moves to my forehead. I went down. Didn't want to go down, but I went down. Then the service around me "went away" and I was simply being ministered to. It was peaceful. The contents of that ministering are for me, so I won't go into detail here. I was "down" for about a minute according to my wife. (She has been slain during prayer with Mama twice in the past 8 years.)
Make of it what you will. I didn't know what to think about it prior to my experience. It was of God, that much I can say. And I can't say whether all such episodes, such as on TV, are real or "desired." That's all I can tell you on the issue; hope it helps in some way.
What is your take on Todd Bentley and the whole lakeland florida outpouring?? If you haven't seen or heard about Todd Bently I would encourage you to youtube him. Some of the stuff he does is a little disturbing, I don't want to sound like all religious or blaspheme the Holy Spirit, but why would the Holy Spirit tell someone to bang a cripplied lady's legs up and down or to kick someone in the stomach??
This is my PERSONAL take. I haven't really followed Bentley nor his "ministry." PERSONALLY, I get weary of healing ministries that use a lot of physical antics, almost to the appearance of violence. I simply can't imagine Jesus in the Gospels acting with the appearance of "violence" during healing.
My attention was drawn to him in 2008 when Lakeland Revival was big news. My discernment was to not watch this man -- I believe he was covered for a time on TV, but I may be confused with YouTube, because I didn't watch after that word to me. It was only about a month after that that he was found cheating on his wife with a staff member and, I believe, the revival was closed down while he disappeared (presumably to Europe).
Bentley was rebuked by the "Board of Fresh Fire" but Bentley would not submit to the committee. He remarried and is back in ministry.