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?

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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.  

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Seeing Divine Visions

When it comes to supernatural experiences, our only part is faith in action. God does the rest. Though none of us have the ability to, by our own will and effort, bring about divine visions, we can position ourselves to become more spiritually keen - surrendered.

Looking to Scripture, we see how visions become more likely.

#1 Paul was praying 

Paul was in a deep place of prayer when he received his vision from the Lord.

“After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’ “‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’ “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!” (Acts 22:17-22)

Paul’s vision from the Lord brought clear instructions for Paul’s journey. 

#2 John was worshipping 

John was focused on simply adoring the Lord when his vision came about - a vision which became the book of Revelation.

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. (Revelation 1:9-13)

Revelation can come through divine visions, as we see in the case of John.

#3 Isaiah was serving 

Isaiah was simply doing as he should have been doing - serving, living right, walking in the ways of God. It was this simple and seemingly mundane routine of living that positioned him to glimpse the glory through a divine vision.

It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:1-8)

We mustn’t neglect the simplicity of right living and faithfulness. Such living can help to position you for supernatural experiences. 

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Healing, Deliverance, Gifts, and Miracles are for Today: The Problems with Cessationism

It is my prayer that every believer would come to know the fulness of the Holy Spirit’s power. Every believer has the Holy Spirit, but that doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit has every believer. As I see it, those who reject the spiritual gifts are simply choosing to settle; they’re choosing to do things the hard way. 

Though I prefer to avoid labels, traditionally speaking, some- one who believes that the spiritual gifts are no longer in operation is called a “cessationist”; the belief that the spiritual gifts have ceased to be operational is called “cessationism.” 

Ultimately, it’s very difficult to debate a cessationist with Scripture, because they really don’t have anything even closely resembling a scriptural basis for their belief. They simply just assert their belief. 

Now to properly weigh in on the discussion, I would need to write an entire separate book. But I at least want to give you a few very basic thoughts on the matter so that you might be loosed from the intellectual chains that hold you back from speaking in tongues. Whenever you hear a cessationist speak of why they believe the gifts have ceased, I want you to listen very closely. Generally speaking, they will use one of the three following lines of logic: 

#1 Speculation 

The cessationist can offer many points of speculation but never any portion of Scripture that clearly teaches that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased. 

Example 1: Only the early epistles mention the spiritual gifts, but the later ones make no mention of them. So the gifts must have ceased. 

Example 2: Paul the apostle had poor eyesight; because God didn’t heal him, that demonstrates that the gift of healing (and the other gifts along with it) has ceased. 

Here’s the issue with that sort of reasoning: In order to demonstrate biblically that the spiritual gifts have ceased, you have to be able to point to the Bible verse that tells us so. Otherwise, you’re just left with speculation. The biblical evidence is overwhelmingly supportive of the spiritual gifts; it’s not even close. The entire New Testament is fundamentally supernatural. If someone wants you to believe cessationism, they need to do better than offering unfounded inference and wishful speculation. 

#2 Arguments from History 

Another line of logic followed by the cessationist is the historical one. 

Example 1: Some of the early church fathers believed that the gifts had ceased, and, therefore, we should believe the same. 

Though we honor our early church fathers, we get our truth directly from the Scripture. Even if it can be proven (and that’s a key “if”) that most of the early church fathers believed the gifts had ceased, all that proves is that we had cessationists in the early church too. The question is not, “What did the early church fathers believe?” or “What does the history of the church record?” The question is, “What does the Bible teach?” We mustn’t put people on pedestals, not even the early church fathers. They were men, not gods. We have to be humble in our assessment of ourselves; we are only human. We must stick with just the Word of God, period. 

Example 2: Church history records a decline in the use of the spiritual gifts. 

Just because something isn’t properly recorded in history doesn’t mean it didn’t occur. There are several things you do each day that won’t be preserved in history’s record. The cessationist is being pre- sumptuous when he claims that generations of believers didn’t pray in tongues. How on earth could the cessationist know what didn’t happen in the early Church? To know that, one would have to have a complete record of every life of every believer—a record detailing even daily activity. We don’t have that. In fact, to make the claim that a certain Christian figure or group of people certainly didn’t pray in tongues, we would need a record of them telling us just that. So anyone who tells you that the early Church didn’t pray in tongues is making a big assumption. In fact, it’s presumptive to make that claim about any believer in history’s timeline. 

#3 Poor Biblical Interpretation 

Unfortunately for the cessationist, the burden of proof rests on those who claim that the gifts have ceased. From Genesis to Revelation, we see our powerful God performing miracle after miracle, involving Himself in the lives of His children. And we’re supposed to believe that God just suddenly stopped? Out of nowhere, His tangible interaction with mankind just ceased? It’s unreasonable to think that we’re supposed to just insert some imaginary marker on the timeline of all of history and say, “Right here is where God stopped.” 

Here, the cessationist might interject, “We believe that God still moves. God still does miracles. We just don’t believe that God gives power, such as healing the sick, to individuals anymore.” Or they might say, “We believe God still moves; we just don’t believe men can heal the sick by their own will anymore.” But who actually believes that the power to perform the miraculous ever came from human beings in the first place? Who actually believes that men ever healed according to the exercising of their own will or power? Who believes that man on his own ever wielded the power to heal the sick? I sure don’t. 

Going back to even the Old Testament, where cessationists admit that God was moving miraculously, we see Moses, supposedly given power of his own, unable to immediately heal the sick through prayer. 

So Moses cried out to the Lord, “O God, I beg you, please heal her!” But the Lord said to Moses, “If her father had done nothing more than spit in her face, wouldn’t she be defiled for seven days? So keep her outside the camp for seven days, and after that she may be accepted back” (Numbers 12:13-14). 

That God left the prayers of Moses unanswered does not mean that He stopped working miraculously through people—the rest of the Bible is proof of that. So why would anyone’s unanswered prayer today indicate that God no longer moves? If cessationists were there with Moses, they might have suggested that God was done moving in Israel. 

King David was likewise unable to heal the sick through prayer: 

Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered (Psalm 35:13). 

But we all know that God continued to do miracles long after King David left the earth. It’s been God all along, and He works through people. 

I don’t believe Peter carried his own power to heal the sick; it was sourced by the Holy Spirit. I don’t believe that Elijah or Moses had any ability, apart from God’s empowering presence, to perform miraculous displays of authority over creation. It was always God. 

It’s simple: just as God moved according to His will through people in the Old and New Testament, so God moves according to His will through people now. There’s never any indication in the teaching of Scripture that states otherwise. 

It’s all semantics, word play. Either you believe God still works among us or you don’t. This middle ground doctrine of “God still moves but not like He used to” is a dodge on the part of the cessationist. Truthfully, the best a cessationist can offer is a misapplication of this portion of Scripture: 

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). 

Obviously, we won’t always need the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I can’t imagine the need for the gift of healing in Heaven where there is no sickness, the need for the gift of prophecy in eternity where there is no time, or the need for the gift of faith in Heaven where God can be seen. The day will come when the gifts of the Holy Spirit will cease. 

So when will the gifts cease? Let’s look at what the Bible says in the very next two verses: 

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (1 Corinthians 13:11-12). 

We are given two clues. The gifts of the Holy Spirit will cease when we see everything with perfect clarity and when we know everything completely (just as God knows us completely). 

Do we see everything with perfect clarity now? Some sincere cessationists might believe so. Cessationists argue that the time of perfection was fulfilled when the Bible was completed. However, even though we have the Word of God, I don’t know a single living human who knows “everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 

Of course, in my spirit I know God, but only Heaven will fully manifest what is known in my spirit—without the trouble of the flesh. 

So clearly, First Corinthians 13 is describing eternity, not the here and now. So the gifts will cease when we are all face to face with God, as the King James Version puts it. 

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away child- ish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Corinthians 13:11-12, KJV). =

Furthermore, it cannot possibly be that the gifts will cease before the end of time, because Jesus promised that those who believe in Him will do greater works. 

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father (John 14:12). 

He didn’t say that a select few before a certain dispensation would do greater works. He didn’t say that greater works would be accomplished for just another couple of generations. He promised that “anyone” who believed in Him would do greater works. 

So cessationism fails miserably as a biblical doctrine. Yes, when we know “everything completely,” the gifts will cease. Until then, flow in the gifts, especially the gift of tongues. 

Excerpt from “Praying in the Holy Spirit” by David Diga Hernandez.

The Unstoppable Favor of God

When God gives you a vision, He also gives you the favor to see that vision come to pass. Consider Nehemiah. After recognizing that Jerusalem’s walls needed to be repaired, Nehemiah set out to complete His God-given mandate. The favor of God was on Nehemiah, and that was proven when King Artaxerxes’ heart was inclined to grant Nehemiah’s request.

3but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” 6The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request. (Nehemiah 2:3-6, NLT)

But the favor didn’t stop there. Not only did the king grant Nehemiah the permission needed to fulfill his task - he also provided resources. 

8And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me. (Nehemiah 2:8, NLT)

Of course, there was opposition to what Nehemiah was trying to accomplish for God, but the favor of God overruled the complaints of people.

That’s what happens when God’s favor is on you. 

You might be low on resources. People may speak against you. You may, at times, become discouraged and doubtful. But the gracious hand of God will cause you to see it through. If God gave you an assignment, He will give you to favor needed to complete it.

If God is for you, nobody can successfully come against you.

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How a Tornado Became Our Testimony

My heart sank as soon as I read the text: “So everyone is hiding out. Jess is under the stairs now too.” At the time, I was in Florida - miles away from home, away from my wife Jess, away from my daughter Aria.

I was told that tornados weren’t common to the Austin area. So I was taken back when I first heard about the tornado warning. It came from seemingly nowhere, and so suddenly. 

I was in Florida. My wife and daughter were at our home in Texas. Being long distances away from family is one of the sacrifices that traveling evangelists have to often make. The situation was completely outside of my control, and I didn’t like that one bit. There was nothing I could do to protect my wife and daughter except pray.

I was in Orlando ministering. Meanwhile, my wife and daughter were huddled under our stairs, bracing for a possible tornado. And there was nothing I could do about it.

The tornado warning lasted for just about 40 minutes. But it seemed much longer. I was hanging on every update. Then relief. Another text came through. It read, “Cleared up. Looks good.”

Life for my family then resumed to normalcy.

But just as quickly as I had been relieved, I became mindful again.

The tornado didn’t touch down upon our home. According to the reports, it had touched down somewhere in Round Rock. That’s when I realized: “Our new studio is being built in Round Rock!”

I sent a text to our ministry group chat, asking someone to check on our studio to assess potential damage. Several of our team members were already on their way. 

Our operations manager messaged me saying, “The building took on some damage from the tornado. We don’t know the extent of it yet. I will give you updates when we get them.”

At this point, I know that my story sounds discouraging, but there’s a powerful testimony here.

Now, I hesitated sharing this testimony, because I was concerned that it may have come across as insensitive to those who suffered great loss from the tornado. But I think it’s important to share testimonies, even testimonies set in surrounding tragedy. 

Our building was, in fact, heavily affected by the tornado. But, you see, we are still in phase 1 of a 3 phase project, which means that we haven’t yet taken over the entire building. There are still a few months left for the tenant who leases the other side. And then we’ll lease 100% of the property. 

After a survey of the damage, it was discovered that part of the roof was removed from the building. But only from the other half.

There were fences taken out. But only on the other half. 

Equipment was damaged. But only on the other half. 

But our side of the same building was left intact. 

Same building. Same tornado. Different story.

Even the house behind our studio was significantly damaged. 

We only had a small hole in our roof which was patched in a matter of hours. 

And, by the way, the water from the rain (that came through the hole in the roof) didn’t damage any of our camera equipment. It was all packed away, because we just so happened to have been in Florida.

Only days later, construction resumed on our studio.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (Psalm 91:7, KJV)

That’s God’s favor. That’s God’s protection. When you put God’s Kingdom first, He takes care of the rest. 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33, NLT)

My prayer is that you too would walk in this kind of favor.

I want to thank everyone who has been praying for this project. It’s God’s project. 

I also want to thank everyone who has given toward this project, who plans to give toward this project, and who plans to give again toward this project. Your support has been overwhelming. God will bring this to completion.

To give toward the completion of our new studio, to see our progress, and to help us meet our goal date, click here: https://www.davidhernandezministries.com/expand

Faith in Action

Faith is the key to the miraculous. Nothing is impossible when you put your hope in God Himself. That is the reality that ten lepers experienced.

11As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. (Luke 17:11-14, NLT)

Jesus spoke it. The lepers believed it. And their confidence in His Word was demonstrated by their actions. The lepers were healed as they went. They simply dared to believe the Lord at His Word.

Dare we believe the Lord at His Word?

All too often, we wait for God to move when He’s waiting for us to move by faith. Too many are frozen in fear when they should be progressing in God’s promises. Rest assured, if God promised it, you can believe it. And if you truly believe it, faith will move you to action. 

Some miracles are instant, and sometimes the miracle happens as you go.

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Let God Speak for You

In the book of Numbers chapter 17, we see a story of God endorsing His servant Aaron through a miracle. Because the people were complaining against God-ordained leadership, God instructed that a leader from each of the 12 tribes of Israel should bring a wooden staff to Moses. God instructed…

3 Inscribe Aaron’s name on the staff of the tribe of Levi, for there must be one staff for the leader of each ancestral tribe. 4 Place these staffs in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark containing the tablets of the Covenant, where I meet with you. 5 Buds will sprout on the staff belonging to the man I choose. Then I will finally put an end to the people’s murmuring and complaining against you.” 6 So Moses gave the instructions to the people of Israel, and each of the twelve tribal leaders, including Aaron, brought Moses a staff. 7 Moses placed the staffs in the Lord’s presence in the Tabernacle of the Covenant. 8 When he went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found that Aaron’s staff, representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds! (Numbers 17:3-8, NLT)

By way of the miraculous, the Lord vindicated His chosen servant. 

If God has called you, people will come against you. That’s a fact. In times of attack, it’s tempting to try to explain yourself or speak up for yourself. Don’t. Just allow the Lord to handle it. He has a way of vindicating His people that is clear and conclusive.

When you speak for God, God will speak for you. Let Him blossom something that will demonstrate His hand upon your life.

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Permits Granted: Construction Begins Monday

For this week’s blog, I’m writing to you an update for Project ETV. After several weeks of waiting, we finally had our permits stamped by the city of Round Rock, TX.

This means that we can now begin building and renovating on Monday, March 7th.

My team and I will be documenting the progress with photos and videos, so be on the lookout.

Additionally, our fundraising progress is moving along efficiently.

Check out the details and progress for this project this project by clicking here.

Please, continue to pray for this Kingdom-expanding project, as it will position us to be more effective than ever before.

Nothing is Impossible with God,

David Diga Hernandez

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How to Preach with Power: One Simple Key

Do you want to preach with power? Remember this: God does not anoint our opinions; He anoints His Word. He doesn’t back our ideas; His backs truth. If you want there to be power behind what you preach, then you need to preach God’s Word.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20, KJV)

God has bound Himself to His message. Wherever His message goes, His miracle-working power goes. Think about this: the Word of God carries such power that it produces results even when a hypocrite preaches it. Consider those in Matthew 7:

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ (Matthew 7:21-23, NLT)

If we want to see real results, we need to stay faithful to preaching what the Bible teaches. We mustn’t try to force our ideas upon the Scripture. We must humble ourselves before the Word. When we honor the Word, God will honor our preaching with His power.

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The Crucified Life

“Your dreams are about to come true." 

“Your breakthrough is on the way.” 

"The toughest times come just before the greatest blessings.” 

“God is getting ready to catapult you into greatness.”

Statements like those find their power by pulling on a person’s deep longing to be successful, wealthy, put-together, respected, and otherwise well-positioned in life. In fact, the Word “breakthrough” has become a Christian code word that means “The day I never have any more struggles.” We have sermons that give you steps to a better you and keys to success in this area or that area. It seems that every message you hear is about how your dreams are just within arm’s reach. But the reason we have so much preaching on climbing mountains is because we don’t have the faith or power to move mountains. And we lack faith and power to move mountains because we lack the preaching of the cross.

Sadly, many are promising a life without troubles, trials, sacrifice, or commitment. Honestly, that’s just contrary to what Jesus told us:

John 16:33

In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Sure, the blessings of God abound in the life of every believer. He prospers, provides for, protects, and loves His people. God does not despise the prayer request. God does not become angry with His child’s request for a blessing. God loves to bless His children. But one thing we should all remember is this: God’s cause takes precedence over the believer’s comfort.

Mark 8:34-35

34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Jesus spoke those challenging words just after prophesying His own death. His disciple Peter was resistant to the idea of Jesus giving His own life on the cross. The Lord rebuked Peter, saying, “Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Get away from me Satan? Those harsh words exposed the source of Peter’s resistance to the cross. No, Peter was not possessed, as it’s well-established that Christians cannot be demon-possessed. 

But he was being influenced by Satanic thinking. Resistance to the cross is Satanic. Think of how the Devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan offered to Jesus a cross-less path to glory. Yet Jesus, filled with both the Word and the Spirit, overcame the temptation to deny the cross. He chose instead to deny Himself. 

A cross-less gospel is a Christ-less gospel. The gospel is not about self-improvement; it’s about self-abandonment. It’s not about our dreams; it’s about God’s will. We must stop trying to build what the Word of God has told us to crucify.

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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.

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Ministry Motives: Avoiding Jealousy and a Competitive Spirit

In Acts chapter 8, we see the story of Simon the Sorcerer. Simon was watching as Peter and John laid their hands on new believers. Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given as the apostles laid hands - and he desired that power. 

18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19“Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 8:18-19, NLT)

What Simon desired wasn’t an evil thing. Like many believers today, Simon desired to have the Holy Spirit. But even though Simon desired a good thing, his motives for wanting it were polluted. 

20But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” (Acts 8:20-23, NLT)

Peter recognized that Simon the Sorcerer wanted the power of the Holy Spirit for selfish reasons. Peter could also discern that Simon was filled with jealousy. He was jealous of the power that Peter and John carried. He was jealous of how the people were affected by that power. He was jealous of how others looked to the apostles with such awe and honor. 

And so Simon offered to buy the power of God. He didn’t want to be used by God; He wanted to use God to make himself important. 

There’s danger in polluted motives. 

We who are in ministry must never allow ourselves to be overcome by jealous ambition. If you see the success of others as a threat, you need to purify your motives. If you secretly hope your fellow believer fails, you need to purify your motives. If you want to grow your ministry simply to up your status, you need to purify your motives. 

Remember, God has created you uniquely. God doesn’t have to take from you in order to give to others. The success of others in no way takes away from God’s favor upon your life. But do you know what does? Impure motives. So rest in who you are in Christ. Don’t compete with others, celebrate them. Keep your heart pure, and focus on the simple joy of pleasing the Lord.

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A Miracle in the Making: Special Ministry Update

I have an exciting update regarding our ministry. As you may know, we’re currently raising the resources needed to complete our Texas-based production studio.

The benefits of completing this will be numerous: weekly services, larger reach, and greater impact. At the time that I am writing this letter, we are over 65% funded for phase 1. 

Phase 1 gets us off the ground and operating.

Phase 2 gets us the resources needed to own the property free and clear.

Phase 3 gets us set up with our own data center to future-proof our content against big tech and government censorship. 

The completion of phase 1 will lead to exponential growth and powerful ministry momentum like never before. And we’re almost there. We’ll be able to disciple more believers, host larger events, produce more content, and win more souls than ever before.

We have a faith-filled goal to finish raising the remaining $950,000 by May 15th, 2022.

I know God will do it, for nothing is impossible with God. We’re going to reach our goal. The project will be completed. I know that by faith. We are truly entering an exciting season of ministry, but I need you to stand in faith with me. I can’t do this alone.

People from all over the world are sending in their best gifts to our ministry for this project. It’s truly a miracle that we’ve even come this far. So will you prayerfully consider making a sacrificial gift within the next 12 weeks, so that we can step into this next phase of unprecedented ministry opportunity?

Every gift, large or small, makes a difference. The door is open. A generation is calling. Will you answer the call with me?

To gather more information about this project or to give, go to www.DavidHernandezMinistries.com/expand

Simply ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to do, and then follow His gentle leading. 

Spreading the Gospel, 

David Diga Hernandez

Mail-in Giving: David Hernandez Ministries | PO Box 6869, Round Rock, TX 78683

Give by Phone: 888.740.1110

Give Online: www.DavidHernandezMinistries.com/Expand

The Holiness Spirit

The Holy Spirit is not our reward for holiness; He’s our source for holiness. The Holy Spirit’s presence and work in you is what causes you to obey God.

God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. (1 Peter 1:2, NLT)

The Holy Spirit gives you the desire, but you must make the decision to respond to that desire. He provides the desire; you provide the discipline.

He has given you everything you need to live in holiness. Beyond just giving you the power to say “no” to temptation, the Holy Spirit changes your desires. The sins that once tempted you begin to disgust you, as the Holy Spirit does His work.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

So trust the Holy Spirit, for He is, indeed, the Spirit of holiness. There’s no amount of mistakes that you could make to cause Him to cease His work in you. Consider the children of Israel. After years of back-and-forth, after generations of idolatry and backsliding, God made a powerful promise to them. 

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you, the most stubborn and problematic areas of your character become refined. He can change anyone. He can free you from anything, no matter how long you’ve been bound.

The Holy Spirit makes you holy.

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What is God's Perfect Will for You?

What has God called you to do? What is His perfect will concerning your life? Right off the top, we can find some general direction for every believer. There are certain assignments and commands that apply to all of us. We know that every believer is called to:

• Live Holy (1 Peter 1:16)

• Evangelize (Mark 16:15)

• Worship (John 4:24)

• Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

• Know God’s Word (Colossians 3:16)

• Demonstrate Love (Luke 10:27)

• Serve in the Church (1 Peter 4:10)

But beyond that, specifically, what has God called you to do?

When looking to answer this question, there are two traps about which you need to be aware. While seeking God’s will for your life, you must avoid both presumption and paralysis. Both presumption and paralysis will keep you from fulfilling God’s perfect will for your life. 

The trap of presumption works by luring its victims into using a pace of life that is too fast to allow for a pause in which one can hear the instructions of God. The presumptuous rarely pray about their decisions. They forge ahead without checking the map. They may move quickly and they may even build something that appears to be fruitful. But if you rush ahead of God’s instruction, you also rush ahead of His protection, provision, and peace. Never really taking the time to establish a foundation for any one phase of life, the presumptuous have to keep stumbling forward in order to catch their footing. The high-pressure cycle destroys their joy and gratitude.

On the other hand, the trap of paralysis works by holding its prey captive to fear. So afraid of doing something that God did not call them to do, the spiritually paralyzed settle for doing next-to-nothing at all. They embrace fear and call it wisdom. Like the servant who buried his talent, the fearful assume that God will reward their play-it-safe strategy - but that’s not the case.

Of course, there’s a Biblical balance to all of this. 

I believe in taking action, moving forward, and even in taking risks. Otherwise, where would be the need for faith? But we must avoid presumption. 

And I believe in the process before the platform. I believe that God uses seasons of hiddenness to prepare His servants for ministry. I believe in being attentive to hear God’s instructions. But we must break free from spiritual paralysis. 

So how are we to move forward? The answer, of course, is seen in scripture. 

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)

The Lord had to correct Paul’s course. The fact that Paul had to change directions in the middle of his journey proves to us that he didn’t really pray about every detail of his missionary journey. Rather, he saw where there was a need and then sought to fill that need using what God had entrusted to Him.

Like Paul, we are instructed as we go. While we move to fill needs, we must be attentive to hear the Holy Spirit’s corrective voice.

So those who lean toward being presumptuous are rescued by the voice of the Holy Spirit. So long as they remain attentive to God’s voice through a lifestyle of prayer and the Word, they have a safety net. God can correct them as they move. 

And the paralyzed don’t need to be immobile. They don’t have to believe those superstitious, unbiblical myths about God being easily angered by our missteps. They can just look for the need and seek to fill it with what God has given to them. 

Now, how do you fulfill the specific will of God for your life? You take all that God has given to you - time, resources, influence, talents, gifts, energy - and you use it to further the gospel. Your specific abilities being used to fulfill God’s general mandate - that’s the perfect will of God. It’s that simple. So long as you remain attentive to His voice, He can correct your course. But you need to be going to be guided. 

Thankfully, we need not to trust in our own ability to know God’s will, but rather in His ability to reveal it as we move.

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Holy Spirit - The Greatest Bible Teacher on Earth

Within the Word of God, there are wonderful mysteries, liberating truths, and life-changing messages. As a believer, you have a sincere desire to know the Word of God in greater depth. You want to draw closer to the Lord, live in holiness, and walk in a way that pleases God. In order to do that, you must walk according to the Word. But it’s possible that you, like many others, struggle sometimes to understand the truths of Scripture.

When the believer struggles to understand the Scriptures, the believer becomes discouraged in studying the Scriptures, and, more often than not, just gives up on their personal devotion to the Scriptures. 

When I first began to read the Word for myself, I would read halfway through any given chapter of the Bible only to realize that I wasn’t understanding what I was reading. So I’d have to start over. I would even zone out and read the Word without giving it my full attention. When I read the Word like that, there was no spiritual fruit. 

It can be overwhelming and even discouraging when you struggle in your devotion to the Word.

For me, the difference was made when I turned to the Holy Spirit, the greatest Bible Teacher on earth.

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26, NLT)

The key to truly understanding God’s Word is the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes the information, adds inspiration, and brings about revelation. That revelation is what produces true and lasting transformation.

The Holy Spirit illuminates God’s Word. The Word of God is the substance with which the Holy Spirit creates the character of Christ in you. He was the One Who inspired the Word; surely He has the ability to teach it.

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The Battlefield of the Mind

Biblically speaking, for the believer, spiritual warfare is simply the fight to believe God’s truth over the enemy’s lies. The way that the enemy attacks and affects Christians is by means of deception. And deception is built upon lies. And lies are rooted in the mind. Truly, the mind is the battlefield of the spiritual realm. 

This is why the Bible tells us to be sober-minded: because the Devil prowls around.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)

Sober-mindedness is what we are told to arm ourselves with that we might engage in the spiritual battle. And to be sober-minded is to be grounded in truth.

When it comes to spiritual warfare, the Bible tells us everything we need to know. Nothing is missing. 

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11, NLT)

Notice that the Bible says that if we put on God’s armor we will be able to stand against all of the strategies of the enemy. So there’s no attack that the enemy can bring against you that can’t be withstood if you simply have all of the following: 

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:13-17, NLT)

Belt of Truth: You know the truth with your mind.

Body Armor of Righteousness: Righteous living begins in the mind. 

Shoes of Peace: Peace of mind comes when you believe the good news.

Shield of Faith: By faith, you know the truth in your mind.

Sword of the Spirit: Notice that all of the other pieces of armor are defensive. The sword of the spirit is the only piece of armor that is fully offensive. All of the other pieces of armor defend you from deception. But the Sword, which is the truth of the Word of God, destroys the lies that keep you deceived. 

But it’s all about deception versus truth.

Truly, spiritual warfare takes place in the mind. So may every lying spirit be exposed, silenced, and defeated. May the light of truth dissolve the shadows of deception. May mindsets, which are strongholds, be broken. May you know the truth so that the truth will set you free. 

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7 Things That Happen When the Holy Spirit Moves

When the Holy Spirit moves, His presence is always marked by His power. Here are 7 things that happen when the Holy Spirit moves.

#1 - The lost are saved.

The Holy Spirit is the one Who convicts the world of sin and draws people to the Lord. So when the Holy Spirit moves, the lost are saved.

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)

Sinners being saved - that’s a hallmark of any true move of the Holy Spirit.

#2 - The sick are healed. 

God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. One of the results of that was the healing of the sick.

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38, KJV)

Nowhere in Scripture do we see that the Holy Spirit has lost the power to bring forth miracle healings. When the Holy Spirit moves, the sick are healed.

#3 - The demon-possessed are set free.

It was by the Holy Spirit that Jesus drove out demonic beings.

But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. (Matthew 12:28, NLT)

Demons are real. Demon-possession is real. And the demonized long for freedom. When the Holy Spirit truly moves, the forces of darkness are instantly dissolved.

#4 - Jesus is glorified. 

A true move of the Holy Spirit won’t glorify anyone or anything besides Jesus, the Son of God. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus, period.

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:14, KJV)

The Holy Spirit will only demonstrate His power to point to Jesus.

#5 - Holiness is increased.

No believer is perfect. When the Holy Spirit moves, God’s children are called to higher levels of consecration. Secret sin, un-forgiveness, worldly mindsets - all of that is challenged in the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

15And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, 16“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” (Hebrews 10:15-16, NLT)

The Holy Spirit testifies to us. In doing so, He calls us to greater levels of holiness. 

#6 - The gifts of the Holy Spirit are stirred.

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (1 Corinthians 12:11, NLT)

The Holy Spirit is the one Who distributes the spiritual gifts - gifts like healing, prophecy, and discernment. In a move of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts are distributed and activated. 

#7 - Evangelism becomes a priority.

When you truly encounter Jesus, you want others to encounter Him too. 

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8, KJV)

Notice that it was after the Holy Spirit came upon the early church that they then became witnesses. True revivals always become or at least empower great waves of evangelism. In this way, a move of the Holy Spirit plants the seeds for more moves of the Holy Spirit. 

Those are 7 marks of a true move of the Holy Spirit. 

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Holy Spirit: Everyday Excellence

The Holy Spirit empowers us for the practical.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower us for ministry; 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.

When Moses went to meet with God at Mount Sinai, he wasn’t just given commands for moral and civil duties; he also received a revelation of how the tabernacle was to be built. God gave Moses specific instructions on the crafting of the Ark of the Covenant, the gold lamp-stands, the incense altar, and the other furnishings of the tabernacle. Moses was even given instructions on how to craft the garments of the priests. 

But to actually craft these things, God appointed certain men. They were men who were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. (Exodus 31:1–5).

Even in the practical act of crafting, the Holy Spirit was involved.

The Holy Spirit is, literally, down to earth. He does not distance Himself from our practical living. He is an able Helper, not just in the matters of the supernatural, but also in the matters of the natural. He is God’s empowering presence here upon the earth. He involves Himself in our day-to-day tasks and responsibilities; He desires to help you in all that you do. 

We accept the fact that there is nothing too difficult for Him to perform but often lack the boldness to believe that there is nothing too small for Him to ignore.

To the business person, the Spirit is a business Partner. To the parent, He is a wise Guide. To the spouse, He is a Counselor. To the student, He is a Teacher. To all and in all, He is a Helper and an Expert.

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