GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIIssue 38
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT

And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. I Samuel 5:3

Satan has a counterfeit of every spiritual activity. Those who promote a religion which appeals to the flesh of men generally deal in these counterfeits. Where this “fools gold” appears in all of its “glory” is where the emissaries of darkness will be found, peddling their wares to the simple and those who seek a religion which fits their own design. These purveyors of error generally appear in many ways to be genuine.

Yet the fact that they glory in something other than JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified, rejoicing in and promoting signs and wonders, while busily gathering a following, shows them to be those of whom the apostle speaks, “But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2Cor 11:12-14) When Paul said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal 6:14), he is not simply expressing a personal preference but is defining the very nature of gospel truth and the preaching of it.

The corruption of the truth is most often found in very subtle errors which in time grow to epic proportions, along the way, causing multitudes who may have some sort of confession of salvation in CHRIST to be completely blinded to the truth and unable to discern between good and evil. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this situation, saying, “Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! “ (Isa 5:18-21)

The sin and iniquity of which he speaks is not necessarily that of immorality or debauchery, but rather a perversion of truth which allows men free reign to glory in their own freewill and to disregard the inability of the flesh to either know the way of GOD or to walk therein. When the central message of any form of ministry is not the glory and preeminence of CHRIST in all things, then that ministry must of necessity be viewed as false. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”(Php 2:9-11)

One of the most prolific “parlor tricks” of these “angels of light” is that of making a theatrical display which is described by them as being “slain in the spirit.” I have no doubt that “spirits” are at work in this “slaying” but I find no scriptural example of anything remotely like the performances of these charlatans and religious hucksters. There is always a willing crowd ready to submit themselves to these shamans who are more than happy to bask in the spotlight as they demonstrate their prowess and proficiency in the “gifts of the spirit”, as they would have us believe, all the while babbling away in their own confusion.

There are genuine cases in the scriptures where men were “slain in the SPIRIT”, but there was never someone prancing about with a microphone in their hand when these occurred. In fact there was no one even present most of the time other than the LORD and the person slain. In the book of Daniel we read, “Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. “ (Dan 10:8-9)

John tells of a similar experience, “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.” (Rev 1:16-17) We also read of the experiences of Manoah and his wife, (see Judges 13:18-22), Ezekiel (Ezek 1:28, 44:4), Joshua (Josh 5:14); the disciples at the mount of transfiguration, (see Matt.17:6) and of course the apostle Paul. (see Acts 9:4; 26:14)

It is interesting that the direction of the fall of these who are slain in the SPIRIT in the scriptures is “face down”, yet the “babbling slayers” victims always fall backwards for more theatrical effect. Over and over again we read of the true worshippers of GOD falling upon their faces in obeisance to the LORD of lords and KING of kings. The only record in the scriptures that we have of those who fell backwards at the manifestation of HIS glory is those who were intent on betraying HIM and bringing HIM to judgment. “ Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” (John 18:5-6)

When a man is truly “slain in the SPIRIT” he will fall upon his face in worship at the overwhelming glory of the true and living GOD. Even the inanimate false god, Dagon, fell face down in worship to the TRUE GOD in his own temple. Just as the scriptures tell us the “the devils also believe, and tremble.” (Jas 2:19) The true glory of GOD can only be seen in JESUS CHRIST, and then only by those whose blind eyes are opened by HIS SPIRIT. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2Cor 4:6)

When a man is truly “slain in the SPIRIT”, CHRIST alone will be the object of his desire and praise. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (John 10:4-5) “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. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13-14)

When a man is truly “slain in the SPIRIT” he will be brought to a place of self loathing and repentance even as Job expressed, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6) True repentance always acknowledges the Holiness of GOD, the Justice of GOD, and one’s own abject wickedness and unworthiness to stand in HIS presence. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.” (Isa 64:6-7) “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” (Psa 130:3-5).

mam