S.I.T.S. - Can it Rightly Be Described As A Revival? (3 of 4)

We have seen that there is no biblical support for the 'Slain in the Spirit' experience, and that its origins are anything but Christian.  Before we examine the claim that the Holy Spirit is the inspiration behind the phenomenon, let us see whether these unusual occurrences could be considered as a 'revival', as is often claimed by its advocates.

A genuine revival of Christian spirituality fosters a profound sense of the awesome holiness of God and a piercing awareness of one's own sin (Isa. 6:5; Job 42:5-6; Lk. 5:8).  It engenders a desire to obey Christ's Law and the teachings of the Apostles whom He appointed, coupled with a humble and orderly partaking in the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:42). 

In contrast with the signs of a genuine Christian revival, we find that being 'Slain in the Spirit' results in a sensual yearning for psycho-religious experiences which then take precedence over Christian spirituality and lead to a rejection of Biblical revelation.  Consequently, the practitioner of this all-consuming ritual rapidly becomes enslaved by its seeming catharsis.  For example, even after many years of having these "charismatic" experiences, we find that a Church of England Bishop is still having to race off to a church in Toronto where he can be found lying 'on the floor roaring like a lion' (Sunday Telegraph, June 19, 1994, p. 5).  That is not spiritual revival -- that is demonic bondage!