Getting drunk in the spirit "Biblically"

[TEXBOW]

I actually respect someone who can admit publicly he doesn’t know something. (I have in mind his comment on John 6:44 in the MacArthur Study Bible. Yes, I bought that too.)

I find it interesting that Naaman the Syrian in 2 Kings 5 who came to the prophet Elisha seeking healing of leprosy was healed by his faith in the one true God. He then believed. He was not circumcised, baptized, or had access to the OT manuscripts or teachings. He only asked Elisha if he could return to his land with some of the dirt from Israel. Elisha was ok with that. Naaman was concerned that as a servant of the King in Syria he was expected to bow while helping the King and that would be an offense to God. Naaman was no longer in the belief in any other God. Elisha did not tell him to give up his job or to worry about such things. He told him to go about his way.
Our salvation by faith is extremely simple in our belief. Many of the things we wrestle in our intellect are just exercises. Not saying that we should not thirst for the word of God but those are obedient desires of the person walking in the faith.

 

[David H.]

Isn’t part of the fruit of the Spirit self control?

If You followed my discussion above you will see there are different types of self control. In Regards to lusts of the flesh, yes, self control is beneficial, but in regards to submitting to the Holy Spirit Self control is detrimental. I Wish there was a different word to differentiate the two that would come to mind.

 

[farouk]

If You followed my discussion above you will see there are different types of self control. In Regards to lusts of the flesh, yes, self control is beneficial, but in regards to submitting to the Holy Spirit Self control is detrimental. I Wish there was a different word to differentiate the two that would come to mind.

Well, temperance anyway is all part of the fruit of Spirit, from Galatians...

 

[David H.]

Well, temperance anyway is all part of the fruit of Spirit, from Galatians...

True,

 

[TEXBOW]

If You followed my discussion above you will see there are different types of self control. In Regards to lusts of the flesh, yes, self control is beneficial, but in regards to submitting to the Holy Spirit Self control is detrimental. I Wish there was a different word to differentiate the two that would come to mind.

I agree with this BUT I do seek more understanding on behavior that is not edifying to the Church that members in a Church claim to be of the Spirit. Are these people allowing unclean spirits to have authority over the flesh? Some things I've seen on Youtube filmed at certain Churches are crazy in my mind. I would not attend a Church with people handling snakes, running around the Church yelling, rolling on the floor, barking like a dog, and dancing like a backup dancer at a rap artist concert. I question just what Spirit these folks have. No doubt some truly believe they are worshiping God. I cannot reconcile this behavior with the scriptures.

 

[farouk]

I hear you there, brother.

Actually, I used to listen to MacArthur's radio program and follow his website. I remember he used to have a heart for reaching the lost. Somewhere along the road he lost that, and something inside of him died.

Interesting that the 18th century preacher George Whitefield and Spurgeon also in the 19th century both stressed the sovereignty of God in the Gospel and were also instrumental in the true conversion of so many ppl.

 

[Lambano]

Interesting that the 18th century preacher George Whitefield and Spurgeon also in the 19th century both stressed the sovereignty of God in the Gospel and were also instrumental in the true conversion of so many ppl.

Spurgeon reportedly prayed, “Lord, hasten to bring in all Thine elect—and then elect some more.” Gotta love that man's heart. :)

 

[farouk]

Spurgeon reportedly prayed, “Lord, hasten to bring in all Thine elect—and then elect some more.” Gotta love that man's heart. :)

@Lambano Spurgeon had such a heart....reminds me of the character Greatheart in Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress... :)

 

[Lambano]

I actually respect someone who can admit publicly he doesn’t know something. (I have in mind his comment on John 6:44 in the MacArthur Study Bible. Yes, I bought that too.)

And I just realized I don’t want to be too critical of a sound Bible teacher a hurting sister in Christ finds helpful in her walk.

( Especially since I had recently had a similar encounter myself.)

 

[amadeus]

And I just realized I don’t want to be too critical of a sound Bible teacher a hurting sister in Christ finds helpful in her walk.

( Especially since I had recently had a similar encounter myself.)

Amen! Probably my worst pastor was one of the most helpful in leading me to understanding the Way in my very early walk with God.

 

[DuckieLady]

Can I get an "AMEN!" from the congregation?

That's a sound, biblical way to discern what's real and what's showtime. 1 Corinthians 13, right in the middle of Paul's discussion about the gifts:

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give away all my possessions, and if I surrender my body so that I may glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.

Sorry; I'm kinda big on the "faith working through love" thing (Galatians 5:6) myself. I can't speak in tongues or prophesy, my discernment doesn't exactly have the best track record, nor can I express some of the other charismata (and I might confess to the sin of envying those who can), but one night in prayer, God promised that if I would make my hands available to Him when He needed them, it would be sufficient. (They say that when your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail, you know.)

Faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Amen! A verse came to my mind reading about your promise -

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

And also you should know, I don't know if you realize, he is already doing it.

I know that you have a gift for edifying through encouragement. It has helped me.

 

[rockytopva]

In my early days I had no delight at all in the Word of God. I would try to read it and would loose interest in some long line of genealogies in the books of Moses. But when the Spirit of God made his abode while attending Pentecostal Holiness church services, the Word of God became my great delight.

I knew of a young lady my age who got 'drunk in the Spirit' during a revival. All we could get out of her was a sweet little laugh. The next night I was eager for the testimony. She had testified that she was all night reading her bible. This confirmed to me the experience. When the Holy Spirit comes into the heart he will direct you straight to the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word are two trumpets if you will... Made out of the same piece.

 

[Lambano]

I know that you have a gift for edifying through encouragement. It has helped me.

Thank you, Fluffy. I'm touched.

 

[DuckieLady]

And I just realized I don’t want to be too critical of a sound Bible teacher a hurting sister in Christ finds helpful in her walk.

( Especially since I had recently had a similar encounter myself.)

I had to look back for what you meant. I had missed it somehow. I don't disagree with you - and I want to hear your experience sometime, if you are comfortable.

I hear you there, brother.

Actually, I used to listen to MacArthur's radio program and follow his website. I remember he used to have a heart for reaching the lost. Somewhere along the road he lost that, and something inside of him died.

No, you are absolutely right and that is close to why I quit listening.

He and Todd Friel (who I also like) had gotten on a road of "theological pride" that became more about criticizing believers, especially charismatics, and making fun of people. They had lost the love piece and their hearts weren't right. But I do believe people were praying for them.

I quit listening for a while.

Now, I'm feeling like right now it is okay to return. I have peace about it.

 

[David H.]

I agree with this BUT I do seek more understanding on behavior that is not edifying to the Church that members in a Church claim to be of the Spirit. Are these people allowing unclean spirits to have authority over the flesh? Some things I've seen on Youtube filmed at certain Churches are crazy in my mind. I would not attend a Church with people handling snakes, running around the Church yelling, rolling on the floor, barking like a dog, and dancing like a backup dancer at a rap artist concert. I question just what Spirit these folks have. No doubt some truly believe they are worshiping God. I cannot reconcile this behavior with the scriptures.

Like any True and good thing in the church, Satan has a way of perverting it using his tares among the wheat. Whether that is fundamentalism being turned into textualism, or Pentecostalism being turned into a "rap concert". There is good and bad in both sides, and discernment is needed. What I have come to see is that the fundamentalists need what the Pentecostals know and vice versa, instead of pitting one side against the other we can learn from each other what the other is lacking, as we are all part of the same Body.

 

[Lambano]

I had to look back for what you meant. I had missed it somehow. I don't disagree with you - and I want to hear your experience sometime, if you are comfortable.

Oh, I got into a tussle with Wynona, who you'd think would be the last person anyone would want to get into a fight with. It was about a ministry I've found helpful, but she found counter-productive in her own walk. I understand her position better now, and I think I learned something about human nature and how God grows people differently. I also learned that if I insist on choosing whose teachings I need to hear at a particular point in my life (that’s non-negotiable), I bloody well better respect someone else’s choices too.

 

[Lambano]

He and Todd Friel (who I also like) had gotten on a road of "theological pride" that became more about criticizing believers, especially charismatics, and making fun of people. They had lost the love piece and their hearts weren't right.

That’s an astute perception, and may explain why something in me reacts strongly. I haven’t listened to Mac or read his stuff in years. Has he changed?

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Getting drunk in the spirit "Biblically"

Anybody share this scripture yet?

"Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD." Zechariah 10:7​

 

[DuckieLady]

That’s an astute perception, and may explain why something in me reacts strongly. I haven’t listened to Mac or read his stuff in years. Has he changed?

Honestly, I think he is better from what I have heard lately. I can't remember what I was listening to. Lol, I'll need to try again, but I think the Strange Fire conferences were a stumbling block to His preaching and character.

But I have a feeling that the coronavirus thing may have snapped Him back into his passion and purpose.

Pastors are still human. Still learning, still need prayer. Everybody has ups and downs.

Lol I didn't realize you were referring to Wynona. I got confused, so I apologize.

 

[PinSeeker]

Anybody share this scripture yet?

"Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD." Zechariah 10:7​

Great find. The Greek word translated into English as 'drunk' contains ideas of complete saturation in the Spirit in all of our walks of this life. Given the book of Ephesians’ stress on the work of the triune God in salvation and on the fullness of Christ (1:15–23; 3:14–19), Paul’s stress on being filled with the Spirit points to our need to be conformed to God’s own character. The Holy Spirit exists in perfect, indivisible union with the Father and Son, and He is the agent by which God’s fullness indwells His people. We now experience a taste of this fullness in part, though we do not yet fully enjoy the communion with the Lord that will be ours when are glorified. To be filled with the Spirit is to yield ourselves willingly to His sanctifying work as He prepares us for that final day. In so doing, our union with Christ is strengthened, our fellowship with the Father is enhanced, and we increasingly bear the image of God Himself.

Grace and peace to all.