SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT
by Dr. Ken Matto
There is a phenomenon which has taken hold in many churches called "Slain in the Spirit." When this event happens a person falls backward into the arms of another so there will be no injury. Concerning the so-called spiritual benefit someone derives from it, I do not know what is gained. What I do know is that this event has nothing whatsoever to do with the reception of the Holy Spirit or propelling someone into a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
In fact, if we trace the actions involved with this activity in the Scriptures, we will see that falling backward is not a stepping stone into a deeper life but it is a sign of the judgment of God. The desire for signs and wonders in the contemporary church is pandemic. Jesus seriously warns us about the seeking of signs and wonders in Matthew 12:38-40:
(Mat 12:38-40 KJV) Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. {39} But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: {40} For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
These passages pull no punches as it states that anyone who seeks a sign is evil and adulterous. First, they are evil because they seek to put God to the test. Secondly, they are adulterous because signs and wonders adulterate the purity and true meaning of the gospel. In our day there are literally millions who think they are in right relationship with God because of supernatural events like our topic but are heading straight for hell because they are evil and adulterous. This speaks of spiritual adultery which is as sinful as physical adultery.
As we will see, in the Bible, falling backward is always associated with some type of judgment, which in itself is a strong warning of the final judgment in Revelation 20. The following Scripture passages shed light on falling backward:
(1 Sam 4:18 KJV) And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
(John 18:6 KJV) As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
These are two actual, historical events which show us that falling backward is a judgment.
God also uses the word "backward" in conjunction with sin and rebellion.
(Gen 49:17 KJV) Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
(Psa 70:2 KJV) Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
(Isa 1:4 KJV) Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
(Isa 28:13 KJV) But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(Jer 7:24 KJV) But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
(Jer 15:6 KJV) Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.
(Lam 1:8 KJV) Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.
Other verses which illuminate this teaching are found in: Gen. 19:26; Psalm 53:3; Luke 9:62; 17:32; Acts 7:39; Hebrews 10:38-39. In all these verses, back or backward is directly related to judgment. Those who believe they are being slain in the spirit are actually under the judgment of God. Satan comes as an angel of light and we must be aware of his counterfeit gospels. - 9/4/95