Thank You, Holy Spirit

Do this at the beginning of each day to begin with the right mindset: thank God for what He’s done and what He is doing in your life. I know this may seem like simple or even generic advice, but there’s great power in framing your mind to be grateful. Far too many believers drag themselves into an ungodly mindset by obsessing over everything that’s going wrong, everything that’s delayed, everything that’s turning out differently than they had hoped. 

Of course, I’m not saying that we should be naive and pretend that life doesn’t have its challenges. Rather, I’m saying that by focusing instead on what you’re thankful for, you condition yourself to enjoy every season of life, even the challenging seasons. Every season has both good and bad. So it’s really your choice. You can live your life focused on the negative or thankful for the positive.

Now, you may be saying, “But I have nothing for which I can be thankful; everything in my life is falling apart.” But here’s what the Bible says:

“Be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’" - Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

We can be satisfied with what we have, because no matter what, we always have the presence of the precious Holy Spirit. So from now on, as you begin your day, say “Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your presence.”

For more about this topic, watch “5 Prayers To Start Your Day With The Holy Spirit” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Hosting the Holy Spirit in Holiness

There is no greater privilege than hosting the presence of the Holy Spirit.

As believers, we know He dwells within us. But His indwelling presence isn’t something we should take lightly. We are His hosts. And as hosts, we must be careful not to grieve Him.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” - Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV)

That verse reveals something beautiful and profound: the Holy Spirit feels grief. He is not merely a force or power—He is a Person. And like any person, He can be hurt—not because He’s weak, but because He loves deeply.

Holiness, then, isn’t just about avoiding punishment—it’s about honoring a relationship. It’s saying, “Holy Spirit, I want You to be pleased with my life. Let my words, my choices, and even my daily habits say, ‘You are welcome here.’”

That’s what it means to be His temple.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)

Imagine that—your physical body is His dwelling place. So ask yourself:

• What am I doing with the Holy Spirit’s hands?

• What am I watching with His eyes?

• What am I saying with His mouth?

These aren’t questions of shame. They are questions of awareness. Because when you truly remember Who lives in you, everything changes.

The call to holiness isn’t just about what we stop doing. It’s about why we stop. We turn from sin not to earn God’s love, but to protect our connection with His presence.

“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart…” - Psalm 24:3-4 (NIV)

Holiness is not a cold religion.
It’s an intimate reverence.
It’s not legalism—it’s love.

Make Him feel welcome.
Make Him feel at home.

For more about this topic, watch “The Holy Spirit Lives in You, but Does He Feel Welcomed? (How to Tell),” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Holy Spirit: Faithful Friend

I love the Holy Spirit, and I love being associated with the Holy Spirit. But people often ask me why I focus so much on the Person of the Holy Spirit.

I can give you several reasons.

Firstly, God gave me a clear mandate: “Introduce my Holy Spirit to your generation.” Of course, as an evangelist, I preach the gospel message of salvation as my primary message, but when it comes to the building of believers, this is my area of grace: to teach on truths concerning the Holy Spirit, healing, faith, prayer, spiritual warfare, and similar themes. I often focus on the Holy Spirit, because that’s what I’ve been directed to do.

Secondly, when I was born, my parents prayed a very special prayer over me: they asked that God would make me sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I believe the ministry I serve in today is an answer to the prayer of my parents.

But there’s another reason why I’m so passionate about teaching and preaching on the Holy Spirit - He’s my friend. This Bible verse absolutely changed my life:

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” - 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NLT)

Think about that - the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This means that we commune with Him or share a friendship with Him. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray, to worship, to live holy, to understand God’s Word. He remains with us despite our many flaws. He encourages us, helps us, inspires us, and corrects us. And, yes, He loves us. If that isn’t a good friend, I don’t know what is.

When I first learned about friendship with the Holy Spirit, I was in an awkward stage of life. As many feel in their early teens, I felt disconnected from others, lonely, and like I wasn’t accepted. Insecure and full of self-doubt, I met Him - the Holy Spirit. He is the friend above all friends. He met me when I needed a friend.- that is the source of my passion for Him. 

The Holy Spirit is not off in the distance; He faithfully abides. This means that you can call upon Him to empower you in even the most mundane moments of life. As a friend is there for you to call upon, so the Holy Spirit has made Himself available to you. 

When you are driving to work, He is in the car with you. When you are spending time with loved ones, He is in the midst of you. When you are carrying out an errand, He is in the busyness with you. Day or night, in sorrow and in joy, He is present.

He doesn’t just empower preachers and prophets. 

He empowers us in all that we do. He wants to empower husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, business people, employees, and students. The Holy Spirit is the Expert Spirit, and His touch improves every action of the believer.

As you go through each moment, whether you’re facing a trial or a blessing, no matter your emotional or mental state, I want you to say as I say, because it’s true. Say this: I am a friend of the Holy Spirit.

For more about the Holy Spirit, you can get my new book, “Holy Spirit: God Within You,” by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

God is Waiting on You

Are you waiting on God, or is God waiting on you? While it’s important to pray for direction from God, we mustn’t be so afraid of failure that we do nothing at all.

Here’s a Biblical example:

“Next, Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then, coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again, the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So, instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.” - Acts 16:6-8 (NLT).

Notice here that Paul and Silas took steps of faith, only to be redirected by the Holy Spirit. A few important things to note:

1.) The fact that they were redirected demonstrates they didn’t necessarily pray about every step.

Again, we ought to pray for direction from the Lord, but sometimes, you just have to take a step of faith and trust God. As much as we pray, we’re not always going to have the full picture. That’s where faith comes in.

2.) The Holy Spirit didn’t get angry with them for getting it wrong.

Notice that the Holy Spirit didn’t rebuke Paul and Silas; He simply redirected them. There’s this fear that many believers have that God is going to be furious with them for getting something wrong. He knows we’re fallible. He planned for our mistakes. God isn’t going to strike you down simply because you did something you believe He wanted you to do. Ground yourself in prayer and the Word. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s instructions - but then act.

3.) They saw a need and tried to fill it.

Paul and Silas saw a need, a region that needed the gospel, and they sought to fill that need. It’s as simple as that. We are to use our specific gifts to fulfill God’s general commands. Yes, God will often give us specific instructions. But while we wait for specific instructions, we should be busy fulfilling God’s broader commands. '

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “If you need help discerning God's voice, watch this (2025),” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

People of Prayer

What does it mean to be a people of prayer?

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. “- Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

People of prayer don’t just pray occasionally; for them, prayer is a lifestyle. They wake up praying, fall asleep praying, and they carve out time in their day to pray. They don’t surrender their time in prayer for anyone or anything. And they are marked by certain godly traits. Because they devote themselves to prayer so fully, their spiritual qualities stand out like bright lights.

People of prayer are centered, grounded in a confident faith that makes them stand firm in times of great shaking. When everyone else is panicking, arguing, and losing their peace, people of prayer have their minds fixed on the Lord. In times of tragedy, people of prayer are pressed but not crushed, hurt but still composed. In times of lack, they trust. In times of confusion, they patiently wait. In times of calamity, they find safety in God’s presence.

People of prayer forgive their offenders faster than they can apologize. They see the best in others, because they see with the eyes of the Spirit. They don’t demand their own way. They don’t need the last word. They are selfless, patient with the difficult ones.

They radiate with holy joy, and those who come around them are set free from heaviness. 

People of prayer walk in true power. They pray out sickness and cast out devils. 

People of prayer can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit with both confidence and clarity. They don’t question Him when He speaks, and they’re quick to act on His instruction.

People of prayer love the Word of God, and they can discern when an idea is religious, demonic, or of the world. 

People of prayer believe extravagantly, give generously, love unconditionally, forgive freely, and walk with God. I pray that we all would become people of prayer.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “5 Prayers that Bring You Closer to the Holy Spirit (Immediately),” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Finally Receiving Your Prayer Language

There’s a single, often overlooked reason why many believers struggle to release the gift of tongues—their personal prayer language. And it all boils down to one uncomfortable word: Ego.

Now, I’m not just talking about pride—though that can be part of it. I’m talking about self—the ways we get in our own way. The internal blocks that keep us from flowing freely in the Spirit. Let me break down the top three ego-driven obstacles and how to overcome them.

1. Fear: “What Will They Think?”

We fear looking foolish. We worry about how the world—or even religious people—might see us. But here’s the truth: you will look strange… and that’s okay.

“If we are out of our mind, as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” - 2 Corinthians 5:13 (NIV)

We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re not meant to blend in—we’re called to stand out. Some even fear they’ll anger God or—more absurdly—invite a demon by asking for a gift. But let’s be clear: you cannot receive a demon when you ask the Holy Spirit for a gift in the name of Jesus.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” - Luke 11:11–13 (NIV)

So breathe. Let go of the fear. You are safe in Him.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

2. Doubt: “Is This Just Me?”

Many people pause mid-prayer, questioning whether what they’re doing is “real.” They whisper things like: “Maybe this is just me,” or “What if I’m making it up?” That internal dialogue has to go. Doubt stifles the flow—faith sets it free. Speak with confidence. Lean into the presence of God and trust that He’s meeting you in that moment.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
- James 1:6 (NIV)

“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

3. Overthinking: “What If I’m Doing It Wrong?”

I’ve prayed with hundreds who want to speak in tongues, and I often see the same thing: tension. Instead of stepping into the gift, they get stuck repeating “Amen,” “Jesus,” or “Hallelujah” over and over—trying to fill the silence. They’re overthinking it. They’re trying to “get it right.” But here’s the truth: faith looks like relaxing. Yes, relaxing. That’s when your mind steps aside, and your spirit connects freely with God.

“Cease striving and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10 (NASB)

“For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” - Hebrews 4:10 (NIV)

So release the syllables and sounds—and trust the Holy Spirit to fill them.

Final Thoughts: Faith Over Fear

If you’re struggling to release your prayer language, consider this a loving challenge:

Let go of the fear of looking strange.
Let go of the fear that God will be mad at you.
Let go of the fear that you’ll “get it wrong” or “get a demon.”
Let go of the doubts whispering, “This isn’t real.”
Let go of the mental gymnastics that block the flow.

Instead, come to a place of perfect faith—not performance, not striving—just simple, surrendered belief.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” - Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” - Romans 8:26 (NIV)

You were never meant to manufacture the gift—only to receive it.
Yield to what God has deposited in you.

“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.” - 1 Corinthians 12:11 (NIV)

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “Give Me 20 Minutes and You’ll Start Praying in Tongues,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Spirit Speaks

If you're doubting your identity in Christ, the Holy Spirit has something to say.

“And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’”  - Galatians 4:6 (NLT)

As a believer, you may experience some days when you feel a million miles away from God, even some days when you feel like an outright fake because of your shortcomings.

Your past speaks. Your mistakes speak. Your enemy speaks. Your circumstances speak. Through the noise, if you just stop and listen, you’ll hear the Holy Spirit speak too, prompting you to call God “Father.” 

Your identity in Christ isn’t a feeling; it’s a spiritual reality. You may at times, feel like you’ve lost your fire for God, but God hasn’t lost His fire for you. The Holy Spirit causes truth to be as a fire set deep in your bones, a truth that cannot be suppressed or ignored. 

When Satan accuses, the Spirit affirms. When your mistakes condemn, the Spirit convicts. When your feelings say “rejected,” the Spirit says “accepted.” When you forget who you are, the Holy Spirit reminds you of who God is to you - Father God.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “7 Major Things That Happen When the Holy Spirit Enters You,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Don’t Break the Holy Spirit’s Heart

Please, don’t break the Holy Spirit’s heart. The Holy Spirit has feelings and can be deeply grieved by our actions. Yes, it’s true. Paul the Apostle wrote:

“And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” - Ephesians 4:30 (NLT)

But think about this, too: if the Holy Spirit loves you enough to be grieved by your disobedience, then He loves you enough to be pleased by your obedience. So keep the Holy Spirit in mind. Let your love for His glorious presence be your motivation. Weigh every action, thought, and attitude with Him in mind. 

Those who live by the Spirit are often misunderstood and cast out. We’re disruptors. We’re different. So don’t worry about what people think of you. Instead, be concerned with what the Holy Spirit thinks. 

Those who live by the Spirit say no to sinful cravings. So don’t give in to what temptation demands of you. Instead, we are satisfied in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Those who live by the Spirit are given strength in trying times. So, don’t allow circumstances to control your attitudes and thoughts. Instead, be stabilized by the Spirit within you.

Live in a way that makes the Holy Spirit feel at home within you. Don’t grieve Him

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “5 Behaviors That Push The Holy Spirit Away (Without You Realizing It),” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

You’re Being Exposed

The Holy Spirit is exposing you, and that’s a good thing. Jesus talked about how the Holy Spirit would convict us.

“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” - John 16:8 (NLT)

To convict means to expose, rebuke, confront, and bring to light. What does the Holy Spirit bring to light? Sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment.

Sin

The world’s sin is that it doesn’t believe on the Lord Jesus, so the Holy Spirit is calling the world to faith. And the Holy Spirit also lovingly confronts sin in the life of the believer. When you do something you know you shouldn’t do or refuse to do something you know you should, the Holy Spirit calls you on it. In fact, when the believer sins, they can feel the grieving of the precious Holy Spirit; they can feel His heart breaking.

“And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” - Ephesians 4:30 (NLT)

Righteousness

But the Holy Spirit doesn’t just speak against the things we shouldn’t do; He also calls our attention to what we should become. He points to a standard to which we should aspire. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just convict of sin—He also convicts of righteousness. He reminds us of how righteousness is available wholly because of the cross.

“But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.” - Romans 4:5 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit not only reminds you that you should be righteous. He also gives us hope, reminding us of how we’re righteous through Christ.

Judgment

The Holy Spirit also reminds us of the victory we have in Christ. When speaking about how the Holy Spirit convicts of the coming judgment, Jesus made this clarifying statement:

"Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.” - John 16:11 (NLT)

Meaning the Holy Spirit reminds us that Satan has been defeated and that those who remain in Satan’s kingdom will be judged along with him.

“In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” - Colossians 2:15 (NLT)

So, yes, the Holy Spirit is exposing you. Yes, He’s calling out your wrongdoing, but He’s also reminding you of the righteous standard to which you can aspire by faith and the victory you share in Christ over the powers of darkness.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “If You're Experiencing This, Holy Spirit is Exposing You,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Don’t Be Ashamed of the Holy Spirit

The Ark of God’s presence entered the city, and King David danced in celebration. But his wife wasn’t too happy about how foolish she thought he looked.

“16 But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him. 20 When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”” - 2 Samuel 6:16 & 20 (NLT)

David didn’t apologize, back down, or attempt to adjust his attitude of praise. Instead, he doubled down: 

“21 David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!”” - 2 Samuel 6:21-22 (NLT)

Historical context considered, we can still find a takeaway principle: don’t apologize for that which is holy, even if others think it looks foolish.

Far too many believers shy away from demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power because others criticize them for being too showy. While I understand that sometimes people add unnecessary hype to moves of the Spirit, we must recognize that God’s power is a spectacle - it’s supernatural and spectacular. 

When someone gets healed, that’s a reason to celebrate. When a miracle happens, are we to keep it a secret? When we feel God’s presence and power, are we to just remain stoic just because some have a personal preference for what makes them more acceptable to the world’s intellect? When someone is delivered, should we just do a nice little golf clap so that we can be perceived as sophisticated? Often, what people claim is Biblical balance is actually just their personal preference. Claiming to want improvements to the move of the Spirit, many just want to create a movement in their own image.

Listen, I get it. Sometimes, what people call the spirit is actually just the flesh. But we have to be aware of how subtle this is. Pastors and leaders, especially, I encourage you to don’t fall into this trap of stifling the move of the Spirit in the name of balance. You can be biblically grounded and filled with power. Balanced does not mean dull, lifeless, and powerless.

The move of the Holy Spirit, the demonstration of His power, is loud, vibrant, wonderful, and perfectly offensive to the natural mind. So don’t tone it down; raise the volume. Now is the time to lean into the move of the Spirit, not to apologize for it or explain it away. Go all in. Double down. Be like David, who said, "Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this.” Be bold. We are not ashamed of the power of the Holy Spirit. We say, “Welcome, Holy Spirit!”

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “If you’ve never heard the Holy Spirit clearly, watch this (2025),” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Recognizing Your Spiritual Gift

The Holy Spirit has given each believer a spiritual gift.

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” - 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

Each one of us has been given a spiritual gift. That’s the Biblical truth. So no matter what the enemy tells you, no matter what people tell you, no matter what your insecurity tells you - just know that God has given you a spiritual gift.

I know sometimes you might doubt that. And one of the reasons a believer will doubt that they have a spiritual gift is because they haven’t yet discovered which gift the Holy Spirit has deposited in them. So, let’s settle the matter now. The Bible makes it clear that God has given you a spiritual gift. Period. No matter what you feel, no matter what you see or don’t see, you have a spiritual gift.

Planted in that truth, you can begin to grow in your understanding of what God has deposited in you. So how do you know which spiritual gift God has given to you?

#1 Desire

“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives…” - 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT)

There is nothing wrong with desiring a spiritual gift. Paul the apostle encouraged believers to desire the spiritual gifts. Your desire for a particular gift could be a sign that God has given you that gift. If you desire a spiritual gift, who was it do you think that put that desire there? The enemy? Why would he give you a desire to become helpful to the Church? Was it your flesh? Since when does your flesh want anything to do with God? Sure, the flesh might give you impure motives for operating the gifts. But the desire itself, the pure longing to help a believer in a certain area, couldn’t possibly be from your flesh.

#2 Recognition

“A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” - Proverbs 18:16 (KJV)

If you truly have a spiritual gift, you don’t have to go around announcing it. It just shows. It makes room for you. It creates ministry opportunities naturally. A sign that you have a spiritual gift is that others notice the gift on your life. 

This, of course, does not mean that others need to acknowledge a gift on you in order for you to have it. It just means that what other believers see on you can help you to discover your spiritual gift.

#3 Function

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.” - 1 Corinthians 12:4 (NLT)

This might be the most obvious, but it’s also the clearest sign that you have a gift. You know you have a gift if you sense or see that gift in operation.

Again, this might seem obvious. But you’d be amazed at how many people take for granted the gifts operating in their lives. Where they might just think that they’re really good at reading people, there could be a gift of prophecy. Where they might imagine that they just have favor, there could be a gift of miracles. Where they see only a positive attitude, there could be a gift of faith. 

Pay close attention to how God might be working in your life already, and you may see a spiritual gift - a gift that’s been hidden all along.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “Spiritual Gifts Made Simple: What Every Believer Must Know,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Prayer is by the Spirit

If prayer isn’t by the Spirit, then it isn’t truly prayer. The Holy Spirit wants to help you to pray. He is the One Who enables you to seek the face of God, the One Who graces you with the desire to know Jesus in greater depths.

Everything that is spiritual is by the Spirit. Prayer is no exception.

All prayer is initiated by the Holy Spirit. This, of course, does not mean that you cannot, of your own free will, approach the throne of God. This simply means that if there is a desire within you to seek the Lord, then it was the Holy Spirit Who helped to cultivate that desire within you.

One must be quickened before he can call upon the Lord.

“So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.” – Psalm 80:18 (KJV)

Prayer is a spiritual act, initiated and sustained by the work of the Holy Spirit. And only those who are living in the Spirit can truly be guided by the Holy Spirit in spiritual matters.

“But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” – 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit helps you to pray by giving you the desire to pray, giving you the understanding to pray, and empowering you when you pray. The initiation, action, and results of prayer are all by the Holy Spirit.

It is by prayer that we involve God and exchange our weaknesses for His strength. It is in prayer that we yield to the will of God. It is in prayer that we become surrendered to the Holy Spirit.

Let the Holy Spirit give you the desire to pray. Follow His leading and let Him make you a person of prayer—one who lives in moment-by-moment divine fellowship.

Prayer is by the Spirit.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “Jesus Reveals What Most Get Wrong About Talking to God,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Next-Level Christian

Salvation is free, but the anointing will cost you everything. When you get saved, you lose your unsaved friends. When you become anointed, you lose your lukewarm friends. There is a price to pay for the anointing. All of us have the anointing within us, but not all of us walk in the anointing.

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” - 1 John 2:27 (KJV)

The anointing is God’s power. We all carry God’s power, but not all of us live in such a way that His power can flow through us to help those around us. 

If you desire God’s power to move through you, then you must count the cost.

The anointing oil, which was symbolic of God’s empowering presence, was created from olive oil. The olives used for the oil had to be shaken from their trees and then crushed. So two things had to happen before the oil was produced: a shaking and a crushing.

If you want God to use you, you’ll have to be okay with Him shaking you from the familiar. God loves you too much to leave you in mediocrity. So He’ll shake the systems upon which you rely, He’ll shake the relationships that hold you back, He’ll shake the circumstances that limit your potential in Him. 

Don’t expect that your life will go just as you want it to go. Expect that your plans will be disrupted. Expect that you’ll find yourself in situations that require much faith. After all, if where you are doesn’t require faith, you’re not in the will of God.

And after you are shaken from the familiar, you will be crushed, put under pressure to be processed. Here’s the thing: pressure can only reveal what’s already within you; it can’t produce what’s lacking. Only the Spirit-filled produce power under pressure. 

So if you want God to use you, if you truly want to walk in the anointing, you must die to self. God must process you before He can use you. Now, sadly, because we live in the day of social media, anyone can create an online platform. And because anyone can create an online platform, anyone can skip the process.

But ministry is more than influence; it’s service. We’re ministers, not public figures; servants, not celebrities. We’re called to preach God’s Word, not our political preferences or personal opinions. Ministry is not a promotion; it’s a death to self. Put your desires on the cross and leave them there.

But the reward is beyond worth it. Our reward is that we will please the Lord. Our reward is knowing that Jesus will reap the reward of His suffering - lost souls.

So if you want the anointing, die to self. The Holy Spirit can’t fill you if you’re full of yourself. Your prayer should be, “Lord, spend my life for your glory.” Count the cost. Lay it down. Let God’s power flow through you.

And remember that the anointing doesn’t come through striving; it comes through surrender.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Dawn of Something New

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Holy Spirit was with them also. The Holy Spirit was not a bystander but an active force in creation.

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” - Genesis 1:1-2 (KJV)

The Spirit hovered. That Word “hovered” actually means that the Spirit brooded over creation. As a bird incubates its eggs, so the Holy Spirit, the gentle dove, brooded over and incubated creation. In partnership with the Father and Son, the Spirit moved upon the spoken Word, causing all things to come into existence.

Then, creation chose to enter into the darkness of sin. Man became wicked, so God decided to start over, to begin again. 

He commanded a global flood, which washed away everything. Everything except for Noah and his family, who survived on an ark. 

After the flood, looking for somewhere to begin again, Noah released a dove from the Ark. The dove was released once and returned to the Ark. There was no sign of dry land. The dove was released a second time. It returned again, but only with a branch. Dry land was appearing. The dove was released a third time. It didn’t return. The dove found where God would begin the world again. 

Interestingly, we do not see the dove land in the book of Genesis. Nor do we see it land in all of the Old Testament. It’s not until Matthew chapter three that we finally see a dove landing: 

“After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.” - Matthew 3:16 (NLT)

The dove, the Holy Spirit, is a symbol of new beginnings. When the Holy Spirit hovered above the face of the deep, God created the world. When the Holy Spirit hovered above the Son of God, the Father truly began creation anew: a new creation, a new man, a heavenly reality. And to this day, wherever the Holy Spirit broods, something fresh appears. 

God is searching for a place to create, for an obedient vessel who will allow the Holy Spirit to rest upon them. God is announcing the dawning of a new creation…in you.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

A Fresh Anointing

Apathy, familiarity, monotony – these are far more detrimental to your spiritual well being than even some demonic assaults. Human nature can be so easily sidetracked. We have the tendency to veer off track. This is why it is so important to approach our walk with the Lord on a moment-by-moment basis. Whether yesterday ended in victory or defeat, we must focus on today.

We must learn to walk in a fresh anointing, a fresh touch of God’s power.

 “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.” – Psalm 92:10 (KJV)

(“Unicorn” in the original language simply means “beast with a single horn”. Some scholars speculate that David is referring to a rhinoceros in Psalm 92:10)

It is important to maintain the flow of God’s power upon our lives. Surely, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit are always within us. His presence is an internal and eternal reality. Though we do not need to acquire power within, we must live a life that maintains power upon. What good does it do to have God’s power within us if we live in a way that stifles the flow of God’s power upon us and through us?

Yesterday’s anointing cannot break today’s yokes. We need fresh oil!

It is so important to keep the oil fresh. This is accomplished through daily surrender to the Holy Spirit. Don’t get comfortable in spiritual success. Don’t get lazy with spiritual disciplines.

When we lack fresh oil, there is a dryness to our walk with the Lord. There is a struggle in the flow of God’s power. The miracle anointing loses its potency as it ages. We mustn’t operate from a reservoir of the anointing. We must receive it fresh daily.

Pastors and ministers, without the anointing, the ministry can feel like a career. Without a fresh anointing, we struggle to put together sermons and offer prayer. However, when we operate in a fresh anointing, we receive a stronger witness and joy.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:8 (NLT)

“…the lampstand also for the light and its utensils and its lamps and the oil for the light;” – Exodus 35:14

The power of the Holy Spirit has been given to us to win souls. The oil is what keeps the light of the gospel burning in your life.

Fresh oil will also bring joy.

“You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” – Psalm 45:7 (NLT)

So I want to give you this simple encouragement: get back to or remain connected to the source. Get back to or stay in the place of daily surrender to the Holy Spirit. Whether good or bad, let the past be the past – receive fresh oil today.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

7 Marks of the Spirit-Filled

In the first year that I had come to know Jesus, I sought out spiritual mentors and studied them closely. From both men and women of God, I received information, inspiration and impartation. While learning from God’s anointed servants, I came to notice similarities in their mindsets, character traits, and even demeanors. They shared certain attributes that I’ve come to call “Marks of the Spirit”.

I asked the Lord to mark me in the same way and have committed to faithfully seek the face of Jesus. The more I seek Him, the more I notice the work of His Spirit in my life.

And, dear reader, you too can bear these marks. And if you already do, they can become more clearly seen upon your life.

For God has commissioned a work of art. Jesus is the model, the Holy Spirit is the painter and your surrendered life is the blank canvas. With every stroke, the Holy Spirit causes the countenance of Christ to appear on you in greater and greater detail.

Samuel the prophet spoke to Saul concerning this kind of Spirit-empowered change:

“And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them. And you will be turned into another man.” - 1 Samuel 10:6

Consider that: “…turned into another man.’

No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, the Holy Spirit has the power to make you more like Christ. He brings transformation.

And you know His work isn’t static; His work is continual.

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit…” - Ephesians 5:18

Be filled. In the verse above, the word filled is the Greek verb Plerousthe. It literally means to be continually filled. This is not to say that we can receive the Holy Spirit a second time.

To clarify, I present this simply analogy: You can charge your cell phone all the way up to 100%, but the moment that you unplug the phone, it begins to die again. However, if you plug your cell phone into a power source, it can be fully charged to 100% and kept there. Even using your phone would not drain its battery if it were plugged into a power source. The phone would be both fully charged and continually charged.

In the same way, we are to be continually filled with the Spirit, even after having received the infilling.

So the Holy Spirit can make you a different man or woman even now. You can be a different person today than you were yesterday. In fact, His work can even be from moment to moment! You can be a different person now than who you were even a second ago. Your change is constant when you abide in the presence of the Holy Spirit. For every second you spend in His presence, you become more like Jesus.

Consider His awesome power. He is the very same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead, empowered the early Church and now confirms the message of the gospel with power and demonstration. That very same power is at work in you now, in this very moment, whether you realize it or not.

And, as you live under that power, these are the marks you will come to bear.

#1 Boldness

“When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” - Acts 4:31

Before I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, I was an awkward, self-conscious person. Constantly second-guessing myself, I feared the criticism of people.

Then one day, I took a day trip to a college with a campus preacher. He was a very bold man who cared deeply about proclaiming the truth in love. He didn’t mind being mocked, criticized or hated. In fact, people would even physically harm him from time to time. But he just wanted to see people get saved, so he frequented college campuses.

I stood in awe, as I watched this man proclaim the gospel with divine wisdom. I’m telling you; the people who opposed him were confounded (much like the pharisees). I was just thinking to myself something like, “I don’t think I can do that”, when this campus preacher turned to me and said, “Okay. It’s your turn.”

With fear and trembling, I stood in front of a crowd of intimidating onlookers (about 60 people) and began to preach the gospel to them. And, as I preached, I felt the chains of fear break away from me. In the place of fear, I felt a boldness well up within my soul. Something took over!

I was mocked.

I was criticized.

I was challenged.

But I was perfectly fine. None of what I feared was as bad as I thought it would be. From that day forward, I allowed the boldness of the Holy Spirit to be my strength. It changed almost everything about me. The power of the fear of man was broken over my life, because of the boldness of the Spirit.

Believer, the boldness is already in you. This has nothing to do with personality types, for we all must adjust to look more like Jesus. Let boldness come forth through bold action.

#2 Confidence

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

If boldness is the ability to act in faith, then confidence is the ability to avoid reacting in fear. Boldness is action; confidence is a state of being. Confidence is peace, inner-calm.

I recall a story of a preacher who was taking a nap on a flight. While he was taking his nap, a problem occurred with the engines and the passengers were told to prepare for an emergency landing. Everyone on board the plane began to panic. One of the panicked passengers nudged the sleeping preacher and announced to him, “Wake up! We’re going to need to make an emergency landing!” The preacher looked at the passenger, glanced around and casually said, “Jesus slept through the storm; I’m going to sleep through this.” Then he went back to sleep.

Everything turned out fine.

That’s one of the marks of the Spirit-filled; they are confident. In the face of deadlines, they are not hasty. In times of lack, they are not worried. In moments of chaos, they are not shaken. They remain collected, calm, intentional, methodical. There’s a relaxed and refreshing air about them.

This is not to say that they aren’t practical when need be. This just means that they are at peace no matter the situation.

They may be in a storm, but they do not allow the storm to be in them.

#3 Authority

“…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” - Acts 10:38

Confidence has to do with how you respond to situations, but authority has to do with how situations respond to you. Everywhere Jesus went, He changed the atmosphere. Sickness and demonic power was broken at the very nearness of Jesus.

The same is true of the Spirit-filled.

The authority to operate in God’s power is not reserved for the spiritually elite, if ever there was such a group. The authority of Heaven can rest on your shoulders. It can be yours. It is yours.

The Spirit-filled carry such an authority that they themselves become an atmosphere. When you enter a place, the spiritual atmosphere changes, because you have God’s authority by the Holy Spirit.

#4 Revelation

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” - John 14:26

While gleaning from mighty men and women of God, I would often find myself astounded by their knowledge of God’s Word. But I was most impressed with how they would often see things in the scripture that I had missed. I would have to ask myself, “How could I have missed that?”

People can tell the difference between a message that is prepared with only intellect and a message that is prepared under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

When you study the Word of God with the help of the Spirit, you will make important connections, find deep truths and understand concepts more often. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just give information; He ignites inspiration and imparts revelation.

The Spirit-filled are rich with revelation.

#5 Sensitivity

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” - Romans 8:14

Before I was born, my parents prayed that I would have a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. As a result of their prayers, I can remember being aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit as early as the age of 7. From then on, I have sensed Him in the air around me.

So it was only a matter of time before I would begin to “click” with believers who also walked in this kind of awareness of God. And, while spending time with those believers, I began to pick up what some might call “strange habits”.

Such habits were things like: stopping mid-sentence to respond to the Lord, leaving social occasions early to “tend to the Spirit’s call to prayer” and involving the Lord in almost every circumstance.

People who are sensitive to the Spirit will catch themselves when they say something un-productive and say, “Forgive me, Lord. I shouldn’t have said that!” They are constantly aware of God’s likes and dislikes. People who are sensitive to the Spirit don’t just hear God clearly; they respond quickly.

How many times have you felt a “hesitation” before doing something, only to realize in hindsight that the “hesitation” was actually the leading of the Spirit? Conversely, perhaps you’ve also missed opportunities to do something you should have done.

Sensitivity will cause you to pause and respond to the inner leading of the Holy Spirit. You can walk in an awareness of God 24/7. Spiritual sensitivity is a mark of the Spirit-filled believer.

#6 Generosity

“We have diverse gifts according to the grace that is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with generosity…” - Romans 12:6-8a

I’ve seen people give away so much that others considered them to be crazy. And the Holy Spirit has led me to give in ways that made me think I was crazy.

The Spirit-filled give so extravagantly, so selflessly that people ask, “Should you really be doing that?” They say, “That seems to be a bit much.”

Everyone wants to receive extravagantly, but very few are willing to give extravagantly. And I’m not just referring to specific amounts, for all giving is relative.

I’ve seen wealthy business people give hundreds of thousands of dollars towards the gospel. I’ve heard of Spirit-filled believers giving away cars and houses simply because, “The Holy Spirit spoke”.

And…

I’ve also seen missionaries, who were barely making enough to buy food, give away almost all of their income to other missionaries. I’ve witnessed believers, who were believing for a financial breakthrough, give to others in need.

Spirit-filled believers pray for God’s provision, while at the same time becoming God’s provision for someone else.

The Spirit-filled allow themselves to be selflessly marked with generosity.

#7 Burden for the Lost

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:8

The purpose of the Holy Spirit’s power is world evangelism.

Every truly Spirit-filled believer who I have ever met had, burning within, a passion for souls – they were weighted by a burden for the lost. The Holy Spirit is the most gifted evangelist on the earth today, and His love for the lost soul overflows to you.

Dear reader, I believe that we should carry joy, but I also know that we must come to a place of agony over the spiritually dead. Without a brokenness for the un-saved, the believer lacks. It is a  love for souls that drives the gospel into closed countries and hardened hearts.

When you allow the Holy Spirit to shed this painful love abroad in your heart, you won’t need to be convinced to evangelize; evangelism will become somewhat of an obsession.

I’ve often wondered what “sharing in” Christ’s suffering completely entails. What comes with sharing in His pain? Perhaps, this heartache for the lost counts toward that.

---

Pay it Forward

We pray that you were blessed by this blog. Teachings like these are made free because of generous givers like you. When you pay it forward, you ignite our efforts and allow us to continue to minister to those in need.

Become a monthly supporter or make a single donation right now using our fast and secure online giving option below:

Flowing with the Holy Spirit

Trying to fight the Holy Spirit makes you miserable. Trying to force the Holy Spirit makes you frustrated. But when you flow with the Holy Spirit, there is peace and joy. When it comes to the work of the Holy Spirit, don’t fight or force; just flow.

You can’t stop what He’s doing in the earth, so you might as well get on board, lest you become miserable.

You can’t force Him to do that which is outside of His will, so don’t even try. People waste so much time trying to live in their own strength and by their own will.

Live at the pace of the Holy Spirit, and things fall into place. This is not to say that you won’t have trials or experience heartache. This simply means that when you’re walking in the Holy Spirit, there is a flow, a peace, and a joy.

 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

We belong to Him. We are alive in Him. So let’s live like it.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Is Being Slain in the Spirit Biblical?

by David Diga Hernandez

Yes, it is, and I’ll tell you why it is.

But before I can present the “why”, I must define the “what”.

There are many different terms coined for the manifestation of which I write: Slain in the Spirit, Falling Under the Power, overwhelmed in God’s presence, etc.

Many believe that the phenomenon is either purely psychological or, on the more extreme view, demonic in nature. Now I want to make it completely clear that I do not make this a priority in my ministry. The “Slain in the Spirit” manifestation is not essential to my core beliefs about Christ. My faith is founded on the life, death, resurrection and identity of Christ. So rather than teaching that “Falling Under the Power” is primary, I teach that it is only incidental.

I do not seek the manifestation. Rather, I seek God. And, in doing so, the manifestation is sometimes experienced. Someone being “Slain in the Spirit” can occur during a spiritual encounter with God, but if someone is not “Slain in the Spirit”, that doesn’t mean that they didn’t have an encounter with God.

Because many often ask about it, I have been inspired to write a Biblical explanation and defense of the “Slain in the Spirit” phenomenon.

The Definitions

I want to define what I mean by “Slain in the Spirit”.

Here is my definition: A temporary, physical response to a spiritual encounter with God that involves some or much difficulty with standing.

Now, it’s important to realize that there are people who fake these encounters, and, at the same time, there are people who simply allow themselves to fall in an almost ritualistic fashion. There’s the genuine, there’s the real and there’s the ritualistic. Don’t confuse the three. The one of which I write is the genuine – I mean the one that holds truest to the definition I presented. It is, by definition, genuine. But I will lend you its scriptural support in later sentences.

The Ritualistic

Some people voluntarily fall out of reverence, because they sense God’s presence. In some cases, it’s not that they are trying to fake an experience but rather that they are, in their known traditional way, responding with respect to the presence of God. You can tell the difference between when someone voluntarily falls out of reverence and when someone falls as a result of being touched by the power of God. So someone could be experiencing the presence of God, and, even though they’re perfectly able to stand, fall out of reverence. It’s almost a tradition in some Pentecostal circles. For some people who grow up in a church culture that is accepting of the manifestation, falling over when a preacher lays hands on them becomes just as much a part of their tradition as bowing their heads when they pray. In many cases, it’s not that an experience is being faked, but, rather, a tradition is being upheld.

I must go as far as saying that these people are not deceitful or evil. Is bowing out of reverence evil? Is closing your eyes when you pray evil? Do those who practice this do so with the motive to fake an experience? Not the ones in this context.

For them, it is not that they are trying to fake an experience. They are simply being ritualistic, as their tradition has taught them to be. This “Ritualistic Slain in the Spirit” is not evil or deceptive, but I do not necessarily support it.

The Fake

Then, of course, as with anything good, you have those who intentionally fake the experience. Some people, when they feel absolutely nothing, act as though they are experiencing the manifestation when, in fact, they are not. These people, too, can be easily identified.

These are the ones who are being emotional or deceitful (sometimes a little of both). Sometimes, they are not trying to deceive others per se, but they are emotionally deceiving themselves. Other times, they may be so desperate for a “Slain in the Spirit” experience that they work themselves up and into a frenzy. Perhaps wanting to be regarded as “Spiritual” or perhaps being starved of attention, some people deceitfully fake a holy and pure spiritual experience. I definitely do not support such behavior.

The Genuine

What I am specifically writing of is the genuine encounter with God that causes your physical body to react. I am writing of the effect God’s presence has on an earthly vessel.

The Negative Arguments

So what are some of the arguments against the “Slain in the Spirit” manifestation? What issues do people take against it? And why do some vehemently deny that it is Biblical? Categorically, though specificity might seem to reveal more, there are four basic arguments that opponents of the manifestation will use. They are as follows:

#1 – Being “Slain in the Spirit” is Not Biblical

#2 – Being “Slain in the Spirit” is Present in Other Religious Faiths or It Can Be Counterfeited

#3 – It’s Purely Emotional or Lacking in Purpose

#4 – It Brings Glory to Man, Not to God

So, now, I will address the arguments:

Argument #1
Being “Slain in the Spirit” is Not Biblical

Now, as far as this specific argument goes, there are really two main positions. Firstly, there are those who believe that the manifestation is “anti-Biblical”. Secondly, there are those who believe that the manifestation is “extra-Biblical”.

However, there is nothing in scripture that specifically condemns the manifestation itself. The manifestation cannot be considered “Anti-Biblical”, as there is nothing in the Scripture that labels it as demonic or of the flesh. In fact, the opponents will say, “It’s not even found in scripture.” If that were true, what grounds would they have of labeling it as “anti-Biblical” in the first place? At that point, it would simply be “extra-Biblical”.

So those who say it is “anti-Biblical”, say so without any justification whatsoever.

Now what about those who say it is “extra-Biblical?”

I find it quite humorous that opponents of the manifestation will pick at the supporting scriptures with statements like, “Well, they fell but they didn’t fall backwards. They fell, but nobody laid hands on them.” They demand very specific mentions, yet the criticisms that they raise are themselves not found in Biblical specifics. Rather, they base their criticisms on Biblical principles. It’s insincere to then say that the manifestation cannot, therefore, be supported using the same approach.

If one is to believe, based upon the Scripture’s supposed silence, that the manifestation is something to be avoided, the same must commit to a very subtle form of hypocrisy, particularly if he denies that the silence can also be an endorsement.

After all, if the Scripture doesn’t address it, should not they be silent to condemn it, especially if they are so concerned about adding to the Scripture? Most who reject the manifestation do so because it is “extra-Biblical”. Yet their condemnation of the manifestation is itself “extra-Biblical”. We don’t see the apostles or Christ specifically condemning the “Slain in the Spirit” phenomenon. So if anything, the Bible’s silence on the issue should lead them to be silent on the issue; that is, again, if they are really that concerned with adding to the Bible.

But, in fact, that’s not their position. They base their opposition upon Biblical principles. If then the opposition is based upon principles like “defending the faith”, should we not then first look to see if the manifestation can be supported by Biblical principles?

In fact, it is supported by Biblical principles. My response to critics can be summarized in four premises that lead to one conclusion. Each premise is based upon a Biblical principle, and the principles together make a solid, undeniable conclusion, that the manifestation can be supported with scripture. My argument is as follows:

Premise A: God manifests His Presence.
Premise B: God’s Manifested Presence can cause a physical reaction.
Premise C: The Spirit dwells in us.
Premise D: The Spirit and His power can be transferred through touch.
Conclusion: Therefore, being “Slain in the Spirit” is Biblical.

So we take Biblical principles and apply them to being “Slain in the Spirit”. You won’t see that term in the Bible, but neither will you see “rapture” or “Bible” in the Bible. Just because something is not specifically mentioned – chapter and verse – does not mean that the foundational principles for it are not. The question we must ask then is not, “Is it in the Bible?” The question we must ask is, “Is it in God’s Nature?” And, if someone were to disagree, they would have to deny one or all of the premises above.

Premise A is so Biblically solid that I don’t feel I even need to show scriptural support for it. For we know that, in fact, God manifested Himself to people, time and time again. The same goes for premise C.

What about premise B? Does the manifested presence of God sometimes cause people to physically react? Indeed, it does.

“They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. 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

“At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” - Acts 26:13-14

In the instances above, those who fell at God’s glory did not do so voluntarily and did not do so out of reverence. They did not faint, and they did not collapse in fear. And they did not fall back out of surprise (yes, that’s an actual argument someone tried). They were simply unable to stand in the presence of God.

In each of the instances above, they fell because that is what the Glory and presence of God caused to happen.  It is very clear, from the Scriptures above, that God’s manifested presence can cause the physical human body to react.

Again, we are not looking for this specific instance: a preacher lays hands on someone and that person falls backwards. Rather, we are searching to see if the principle, that God’s manifested presence sometimes causes a physical reaction, is well founded.

Some would argue, “But in the Bible, they fell forward, not backwards like at revivals”. And they would be correct in speaking of other references besides the ones above. In the Scriptures above, they fell backwards and were also unable to stand. It is obvious that the manifested presence of God causes physical and emotional reactions. In the case with the priests, they were unable to stand.

But I don’t even think that’s the main issue for opponents. The effects of God’s presence on a human are both plainly and often seen all throughout the Old and New Testaments.

The challenger might here interject, “Yes, but nobody laid hands on them!” That leads us to premise D.

So how about it? Can the power of God be transferred through touch?

“When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled." - Acts 19:12

“Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my robe?’" - Mark 5:30

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." - 2 Timothy 1:6

“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." - Acts 8:17

So we see, from scripture, that spiritual things can be transferred and given through the laying on of hands. The Spirit and His power can be transferred through human touch.

And what happens when the Holy Spirit and His power are present? In some cases, people are unable to stand or otherwise react physically. We see the reactions to the Glory of God all throughout scripture.

So to say that the manifestation is unbiblical, one must deny one or all of these premises. Otherwise, he cannot reject the conclusion.

Premise A: God manifests His Presence.
Premise B: God’s Manifested Presence can cause physical reaction.
Premise C: The Spirit dwells in us.
Premise D: The Spirit and His power can be transferred through touch.
Conclusion: Therefore, being “Slain in the Spirit” is Biblical.

Argument #2
Being “Slain in the Spirit” is Present in Other Religious Faiths or It Can Be Counterfeited

This next argument is a rather weak one that seems to be based more so on fear than on scripture. The argument is that, because it can be faked or duplicated, it must, therefore, be rejected. Opponents often reference Kundalini.

But think of the concept of the anti-Christ. If Christ’s identity can be faked then is Christ Himself therefore to be rejected? Of course not!

My point is that the existence of the fake does not prove the absence of the real. In fact, the enemy duplicates all sorts of God’s manifestations:

1. Moses vs. Egyptian Sorcerers
2. Prophets vs. Psychics
3. Word of Knowledge vs. Divination
4. Tongues vs. Satanic Tongues
5. Christ vs. Anti-Christ
6. Gospel vs. False Gospel
7. Church vs. Cult
8. Prayer vs. Incantation

You can counterfeit even the purest of things. This is why we are to judge with righteous judgment, according to the Holy Spirit.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." - John 7:24

“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:" - 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

The Church has been given the gift of discernment. We are to judge between the real and the fake. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us in these matters. He reveals, and He reminds. He guides us in the new and happening. At the same time, He grounds us in the foundational truths. He is our guide in all these things. So don’t let the fake discourage you from experiencing the real. If we reject the manifestation because of the existence of counterfeits, we must do the same with all else.

#3 It’s Purely an Emotional Experience and Yields No True Results

Now this argument is more of an opinion than a matter that can be refuted with scripture. I have already shown that being “Slain in the Spirit” is Biblical, but, for this argument, I will use the principles already established to form my point.

It’s not “Being Slain in the Spirit” that changes an individual, just as it’s not the anesthetics that heal a person who undergoes surgery. The surgery is what causes real change, while the anesthetics come with the surgery. God’s presence causes change, while being “Slain in the Spirit” is simply a side effect. We do not seek to encounter God in order to be “Slain in the Spirit” no more than one goes into surgery just to receive the anesthesia. Rather, we seek God’s presence, and the manifestation of His presence will sometimes cause you to be “Slain in the Spirit”.

Besides, what exactly is wrong with having your emotions touched by God? Isn’t He the One who created them? Just as He has given you sight to see, He has given you emotions to feel. Every aspect of our being responds to the touch of God – intellect, physical body, spirit and even emotions. People ask me, “Should we have an emotional experience or a true encounter with God?” But I believe that an encounter with God is, indeed, an emotional experience. Please, notice that I am not saying, “An emotional experience is an encounter with God.”

I’ll admit that emotion can sometimes cause a pure, holy and reverent encounter to be turned into a foolish display. But I argue that, even in the midst of great emotion, God can be doing a great work. Just think back on all of the ways God’s people responded to His presence: washing feet with tears, dancing almost naked in front of the ark, appearing drunk, etc. It seems to me that the critics focus more on the emotional aspects of it than do those experiencing it.

So, yes, emotion is involved. But that’s just a side effect to what’s really happening. And who are we to say it didn’t cause change in someone’s life? What if that experience simply encouraged the person? What if God did a subtle work? What if God did something deep in the individual’s heart that won’t manifest until later? If it were purely emotional, I would agree with the critics. But, again, realize that I’m writing about the genuine manifestation. It’s true that some people only experience emotional hype, but that’s not what I’m defending here.

#4 It Brings Glory to Man, Not to God

All throughout scripture, a consistent theme is found. God uses men. He uses former murderers, liars, fornicators, prostitutes, deceivers, thieves and rebellious men of all sorts. God uses people. Among believers, there is no debate about that. Whenever men are being used of God, there will always be those who wrongfully glorify them.

Here are some other things for which man wrongfully receives glory:
1. Preaching the Gospel

2. Praying for the Sick

3. Taking Care of Orphans

4. Teaching God’s Word

5. Missionary Work

6. Taking Care of Widows

7. Tithing and Giving

8. Having Faith

9. Comforting Others

Man can get glory for just about anything godly.

So just because “The Focus” can fall on a man, that does not mean that the action of that man is wrong in and of itself. If that’s the case, you might as well just throw out all of the spiritual gifts. The problem doesn’t rest with the act but with the people who give glory to men for the act. Should we do away with all things for which people glorify man? Or should we just teach the people to instead glorify God?

Conclusion

So, even if you put all of the weak opposing arguments together, they just make one big weak argument. There is nothing in the Bible against the manifestation, but the Scripture (God’s nature, Biblical principles and simple study) shows us that it’s not unlike God to use such a manifestation. It’s more of a stretch to reject it than it is to defend it.

The Bible teaches us of the nature of God (e.g. speaking through visions, causing deep sleeps, causing trembling). It is perfectly reasonable to believe that God is involved enough to manifest His tangible presence to us. And it is no great leap to say that those manifestations sometimes cause physical reactions.

Some Questions for the Critic

Now, I have some questions for those who oppose the phenomenon: Is God’s presence not strong enough to produce this effect? Cannot God move in this way? Is it unlike God to move in this way? Can you prove, Biblically, that being “Slain in the Spirit” is not of God? How do you know it’s not truly the Holy Spirit? Do you reject it because of true discernment or personal discomfort? Does believing in or experiencing the manifestation void someone’s salvation? Can someone know Jesus and believe in the manifestation? Would you reject Christian unity because of your disbelief in the manifestation? Is rejecting the manifestation central to your fundamental Christian beliefs or the essence of the gospel?

Read David’s bestselling books on the Holy Spirit. Click Here to visit his amazon author page.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Sound of Heaven

We who are in ministry are stewards of God’s work. Therefore, we must remember to build God’s work God’s way - by His Spirit. 

In the book of Acts chapter two, when the Holy Spirit suddenly manifested His presence, a loud noise was heard at His entry. Like a mighty wind, His influence blew through the atmosphere. His fire rested upon His people. And the believers began to speak in tongues.  

The sound of this occurrence drew a crowd. 

When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. (Acts 2:6, NLT)

There’s just something about the sound of Heaven that has a magnetic pull on people. Wherever the Holy Spirit is moving, people are drawn. 

When the Spirit moves, believers and unbelievers alike come running to see what He’s doing. 

We who are in ministry can take no credit when the Holy Spirit draws people. We must remember that people come for His presence and power, not our talent or charisma. 

In our meetings, we have people who fly overseas to be in a single service. Many drive for miles, wait in line for hours, and arrange their whole week that they might sit in one of our services for a few hours. Why do they do that?

I promise you they’re not coming to hear me preach or hear our worship team play (as talented as they are.) The people come for the presence. The Spirit’s presence and power draws them. 

Surrender to the Spirit. Let Him do as He pleases. And people will come running to the sound of Heaven.  

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Holy Spirit: Heaven's Greatest Worship Leader

All true worship is a response to revelation about God. All true revelation comes by the Holy Spirit. You can sing without a revelation. You can dance without a revelation. But you can’t truly worship without a revelation.

Worship is intensity of attention. 

Worship is adoration. 

Worship is giving God glory as you see His glory. 

But if you can’t see, you can’t worship. 

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

Worship isn’t a chore to be completed or an obligation to be fulfilled. Worship isn’t therapy to be used for our own benefit. Worship is a spiritual reaction to a divine reality. It’s your being’s way of celebrating God’s being.

Therefore, true worship cannot be conjured by means of emotional posturing. Worship can’t be demanded by an ambitious song leader. Hype can’t produce it. Production can’t mimic it. Musical talent cannot cause it. Only the Holy Spirit can ignite the fire of worship in your heart. For the carnal cannot produce the spiritual. He is the one who awakens true worship within you. 

The Holy Spirit uses the truths of the Word to produce a knowing of God - that knowing of God causes the natural response that is worship. To Worship is to be wowed by Him. The Holy Spirit takes the information and adds to it inspiration - that brings forth revelation. So it is the spirit and truth that together cultivate genuine worship of God. 

May we stand in awe of Him as we see Him with the eyes of the Spirit. For the Holy Spirit is truly Heaven’s greatest worship leader and, at that, the greatest worship leader of all time.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.