*** This post isn't intended to attack all Charismatic and Pentecostal churches but some hyper ***
Modern kids are prone to social medias as they grow up with smart phones, watching random reels, unguided YouTube channels, books, web-series, Movies, songs and all. We cannot force them to avoid all these using classical reasoning: "They are demonic". This rather creates much impractical environment for them. However, we should guide them to filter out the contents that doesn't align with the Bible. The basic guideline is focus on Core Doctrinal areas of the Bible that has been under attack from those platforms.
a) Hyper-Grace: This is straightforward abuse to God's grace and mercy on us! This doctrine teaches us that we no longer have to worry about sinning as God's mercy and forgiveness is enough for us. Thus, this makes us prone to take sin lightly in our life as if believing Jesus is like a license to sin more! This is unbiblical as we are clearly warned against continuous sinning! God's Grace is enough to save us but we do have a responsibility of living an obedience and faithful life.
Biblical References:
Romans 6:1-2: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (This directly refutes using grace to justify sin.)
Hebrews 10:26: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left…” (This warns against willful, ongoing sin.)
Titus 2:11-12: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives…” (This links grace to obedient living.)
b) Word of Faith: Another word maybe "Positive Confession". It is a position that teaches our words do have powers and when we speak in faith, we can do a lot great works even speaking things to existence. This is purely a nonsense! This solely puts our trust and confident not in God but ourselves and most of times this position makes us self-centered, misuse of spiritual gifts, and self-elevation. In addition, this doctrinal stand is different from a common notion of our words having impact (even some biblical references mention controlling our tongues) which is associated with our attitude, mindset, behaviour that can have greater impact on others. This is however true and I don't think I need to discuss here. Meanwhile, Word of Faith is something different and even terrible that claims our words have something greater power. This can lead in cursing, blessing, declaring, prophesizing, etc. This is associated with exercising our authority upon other peoples and having a view as if we have powers in our words! This isn't biblical!
Biblical References:
Isaiah 55:11: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire…” (This affirms that only God’s word has divine power.)
James 3:10-11: “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” (This emphasizes controlling speech, not claiming creative power.)
Proverbs 16:24: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (This supports the biblical idea of speech’s impact, distinct from Word of Faith claims.)
c) Name it and claim it: To be straightforward, God isn't our Jinn that we can make whatever we wish in his name and claim that seeking our will! That's not what Christianity is! While we can obviously ask our will and demands to God, but his authority and will must be our core concern. God knows what's best for us. And even if he allows our will, that doesn't confirm his approval, we certainly have to face consequences of it. The goal of Christian journey is not making God to work for us but just opposite! "Name it and claim it" doctrine is highly popular in hyper charismatic movements and their seminars. This makes people follow Jesus only for their personal gains. This doctrine is self-centered. Most prosperity preacher uses this showing a vision of luxurious lives to peoples. We must keep our children away from this doctrine!
Biblical References:
Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (This models prayer that seeks God’s will.)
1 John 5:14-15: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (This emphasizes aligning requests with God’s will.)
Luke 9:23: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (This counters self-centered motives for faith.)
d) Hyper-Charismatic Tongues: To make it clear, I align towards relevancy of speaking in tongues even for today and it can be either earthly language or unknown language. However, This is a widely prevailing problem in some charismatic churches. There are lots of teachings in social medias concerning its high valuation. Some teaches it to be a powerful weapon against kingdom of darkness. Some think that tongues are very essential for Christian living and all must have it. Some admits that they have brought tongues for all peoples and everyone must receive it. Perhaps, one of the most used verses in favour of such thoughts is verse that says speaker edifies themselves when they speak in tongues. However, they neglect the part where Paul shows superiority of prophecy when tongues aren't interpreted and has no benefits to church. Next, no teaching exist that says tongues are powerful weapon against evil. It might be sometimes a personal case when one gets victory over temptation or evil's trigger when they pray in tongues but that doesn't mean applying to everyone. Perhaps, the verse that says it is spoken to God and not men is used to verify it. However, it is in the context of intelligibility as immediate verse says "no one can understand". Paul doesn't teach anything that suggest tongues are powerful weapon. He rather elevates love and prophecy over tongues. The tongues can be hindrance to outside peoples if not interpreted but prophecy can do a better job to bring peoples to God in Paul's understanding. Modern hyper charismatic churches are doing exactly the same the way Corinthians were doing. obviously, I am not denying tongues but it must have proper and disciplined space in our life.
Biblical References:
1 Corinthians 14:4-5: “Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy…” (This highlights prophecy’s greater value.)
1 Corinthians 14:2-3: “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them… But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” (This clarifies tongues’ context of intelligibility.)
1 Corinthians 13:1: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong…” (This elevates love above tongues.)
e) Slaying in spirit: Making Slaying in spirit a must-church-method is not biblical. Meanwhile, I am well aware of people's personal experience and how they express their conviction about what happened to them. And that's fine. Some might think its being filled with Holy spirit. However, being filled with spirit doesn't always mean showing unusual manifestations (like roaring lion) but to be fully allowing God to function in our life and make us bear fruits for sake of his kingdom and to grow in image of Christ. Although Slaying in spirit can have varieties of explanations depending upon context but it should never be used as a common method or tradition. We cannot be sure of the definite biblical reasons why people fall down or seeing some few passages even from New Testament, it just seems that people's encounter with divine interference may lead to such reaction. However, if people fall genuinely then that's okay and must be examined later about what they experienced and should be biblically counselled. Meanwhile, trying to push every individuals during prayer moments by laying down hands doesn't prove anything. In such revival prayers and heavy worship time, the only thing remains is pushing and laying peoples on ground. Sometimes, pushing is forced deliberately when an individual doesn't fall down. This clearly shows how the slaying in spirit has been shaped into a tradition today!
Biblical References:
Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (This defines the Spirit’s work as fruit-bearing, not physical manifestations.)
Ephesians 5:18-19: “Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit…” (This links Spirit-filling to worship and edification, not falling.)
1 Corinthians 14:40: “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (This supports orderly worship, not forced manifestations.)
f) Prosperity Gospel: Twisting the scripture and claiming God's promise of a wealthy and luxurious life is highly problematic teaching. living a luxurious life isn't a problem by itself but claiming Gospel's core focus is to bring such blessings in our life is a pure false teaching. The prosperity preacher often come up with dangerous doctrine that makes God our facilitator and a jinn to grant us whatever we ask in Jesus' name. This Gospel negotiates with our future glory with Christ and eternal life. This Gospel makes Christ as giver of wealth and health. Remember, many disciples, apostles and early missionaries lived terrible life serving God and faced many challenges. In coming near future, we would face lots of troubles for sake of our faith. Regardless of wealth and health it must be our commitment to follow Jesus as he promises to grant us even more blessings than these when he would return with his kingdom on earth. That's what our true prosperity is!
Biblical References:
Matthew 6:19-20: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (This prioritizes eternal rewards.)
2 Timothy 3:12: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (This warns of hardships for faith.)
Revelation 22:12: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (This points to true prosperity in Christ’s return.)
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