Recently, some matters came to a head in my personal experience about how to evaluate matters of the last 25 years. The immediate impetus was the announcement that Todd Bentley was disqualified from leading the so-called Lakeland Revival for personal choices and actions, but the larger impetus was a several year observation about matters in the so-called Charismatic Movement. I came into some aspects of participation in the charismatic realm through a personal and liberating encounter with the Spirit of God in February, 1979. In many ways I was naive about a lot of things, but in the course of time, that naivety has been replaced by considerable experience and considered perspective. Frankly, although I appreciate many aspects of the charismatic lifestyle and worship, the Charismatic Movement has sold me short, not once, but over and over again.
Recently, I was with some relatives in another state and about 7 or 8 of my cousins, all anti-charismatic, got up the nerve for the first time in 25 years to confront me; all at once. They had their arguments in order (anti-charismatic arguments; one’s I long ago rejected), but one of the most difficult to field was about immorality and the lack of integrity in the charismatic movement. Personally, I am sick of charismatic foolishness and want to spew it out of my mouth. God calls us to embrace the “power that is according to godliness,” not power for the sake of emotional power or personal enjoyment.
I am not a little upset about those who give a carte blanche approval and free slate of approval toward anything that seems to be declared revival or manifest power. The Todd Bentley pattern congealed my thoughts. When I was situated in the fundamental and evangelical church world (my first 14 years of pastoring) I was ashamed and stirred in my spirit when immorality and sin would be covered up or excused. Still retaining good foundational truth held by fundamentalist brethren and by evangelicals, now that I have been participating in the charismatic and pentecostal world, I am ashamed and stirred in my spirit when immorality, unfaithfulness and sin is covered up, explained away or incidences of wrong justified, or treated lightly with leaders given a short time off from ministry, often two or three week, usually no longer then nine months, at which time, they are restored to ministerial privilege. There is much more that could be said.
It is one thing to explain away indiscretions and sin, over and over again, but my heart is thankful when I am with brothers who see through shams and deeply embrace a better way, the New Testament way of the apostles, and biblical doctrine and order.
It bothers me that wolves like Todd Bentley can dangle the lure of “revival” in front of multitudes of people, many desperate for healing and freedom, only to hear that the very leader they trusted has fallen. But it bothers me more that leaders in the body of Christ are so “susceptible” and “enamored” with so-called “revivals” or “revivalists,” even if they operate in independency and without accountability (God-forbid, outside the “institutional church”). Often, such people diminish the idea of “church” in favor of a “kingdom” message, and speak derogatorily of those who question what is going on.
In direct response to the Todd Bentley situation, I agree with and suggest you peruse Dutch Sheets assessment of the matter. As for me, the whole situation has served as a catalyst for looking more broadly at things, and this is the first of my personal commitment to assess the truth about matters.
I am not interested in running here or there to find revival, and I don’t desire to strongly associate with persons who have that inclination.
Matt 24:23-26 – “23 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.” NKJV
Luke 17:20-24 – “20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." 22 Then He said to the disciples, "The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, 'Look here!' or 'Look there!' Do not go after them or follow them.” NKJV
Across the board, people with a charismatic orientation tend to be afraid to question anything that has been given the label of “supernatural,” “revival,” or “miraculous. ” Far too many seem to forget the very basics of our faith in favor of pursuing a highly intensified emotionally satisfying experience. It is my testimony, that the true presence of God is truly satisfying and providing uplifting edification.
John 4:1 clearly instructs us not to believe every spirit, but to discern and understand that there are “many false prophets” in this world and they are to be “tested.” That was first-generation apostolic orientation and nothing has changed. Some quote Proverbs 14:4 and to justify error and excess.
Proverbs 14:4 – “Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.”
But I came from the farm. On the farm, we learned quickly how to deal with things. But, perhaps, we need to ask, what is an “oxen”? What is the true nature of godly ministry?
1 Tim 4:7-8 – “But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” NKJV
1 Tim 6:3 – “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness. NKJV
1 Tim 6:10-11 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” NKJV
2 Tim 3:4-5 – “Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” NKJV
Titus 1:2 – Paul speaks about “acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness.” NKJV
Why do we (the professing body of Christ) get caught up in hype, sham, and psychologically manipulated group euphoria, with repetitive music, pounding drums, with great outpouring of emotion, closing our spiritual eyes, abandoning true spiritual gifts, and yielding to soulish inducements, worldly attractions, often overlooking questionable things for the sake of not quenching the anointing?
Lev 19:26-28 – “You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying. You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” NKJV
2 Tim 2:16 – “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” NKJV 1 Tim 6:20-21 – “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge — by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.” NKJV
2 Peter 2:10, 12-14 – “Especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed.... But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls.” NKJV
2 Peter 2:15-17 – “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” NKJV
2 Peter 2:18-21 – “For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” NKJV
There are many more passages to which we could refer. Leaders must exercise judgment. Rather than abandoning gifts such as discernment of spirits, wisdom and knowledge to run after mixture and soulishness by people who call themselves “end time prophets,” we ought to be more conscious of what God is doing in our own hearts, pursue biblical truth and understanding, and stand up with apostolic understanding and truth.
God blessed Moses as he struck the rock by faith in the first instance. But the second time, God was forced to discipline Moses as he struck the rock twice, instead of speaking to it as God instructed him to do (Num 20:7). The water gushed the second time (Num 20:11-12; Ps 78:20), even if it flowed out the first time (Ex 17:6; Ps 78:16). However, Moses struck the rock rather than speak to it. Power is not the issue, obedience is. It was not justifiable that the rock be struck just because the people were thirsty. There is a difference between results and success. Moses had results (water gushing forth), but he missed the promised land (success).
Real revival is where the Holy Spirit is allowed to draw people to Christ without the help of crowd manipulation and soulish tricks; where people experience change that leads them to Godly character, Christlike maturity and Spirit-led deportment of life; not where they only have a testimony of an emotional display or soulish energization.
How things are guided (soulish upfront leadership), testified to (public relations driven), and excesses (out-of-order things) are called into question is a huge matter. Why has God placed apostles and pastors in the Body? To pastor and steward.
One of the big issues for me is the matter of leadership and oversight in the Lakeland Revival or in any revival. Who was not asking the important questions about Bentley’s qualification on the character side to lead a revival?
Stephen Strader, pastor of Ignited Church, the original sponsoring church, apparently knew about some issues of indiscretion, but says, “I was assured by his people that there is no third party involved.” Strader said, Bentley “told me he kept me out of the loop for my protection.” Bill Johnson said, “I was involved in a restoration process to help Todd a couple years ago, in this very area.” If he knew there were problems, how could he have been so quick to lay hands on Todd Bentley, with other apostles, such as John Arnott, who knew about his situation?
Another example of what I am talking about, concerns the Toronto Refreshing. One thing, among others, was that certain things were tolerated, joked about, and approved, (i.e. the tolerance of people who “barked like dogs.”). When Lynda and I visited Toronto, about two years into the revival, we noticed, sure enough there was the lady, “barking” like a dog. Now, my question is, why did not someone in the leadership go to the individual and help them to see that that expression was not worthy of the name of Christ and “instruct” them more perfectly? Excesses may occur, but they must be dwelt with appropriately. This can be done without quenching the Spirit.
1 Cor 14:39-40 – “39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.” NKJV
1 Thess 5:19-24 – “19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” NKJV
Jesus’ way is quite different. It is the way of the crucified life, the result being the character of Christ’s indwelling presence; that alluded to in John 12:20-36.
“20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
27 "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.” NKJV
There is much more to be stated and this will await a future posting. But for now, purity must be embraced, mixture must be rejected (II Cor 6:14-21). Somewhere, the professing body of Christ seems to be getting off track.
Sincerely,
Thurlow Switzer
Living Grace Ministries
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