dcservant

I'm not discarding scripture in any way, but I do feel it is important to look at everything in the proper context and I feel the author of this article is not familiar with passages of scripture that son't agree with his position. I do agree that it is not uncommon for people to appear drunk when they are having incredible encounters with God. But I don't think it is specifically tied to speaking in tongues. I speak in tongues all the time and I encourage others to do the same since 1 Cor. 14:39 tells us we shouldn't forbid anyone from doing so...and it is also very edifying of the person doing it (1 Cor. 14:4, Jude 1:20). Jeremiah refers to himself of being like a drunken man in Jer. 23:9 and in 1 Sam. 1, Eli thought Hannah was drunk but we know from the story that she was in deep intercession. I think it is a little presumptuous of all of us to assume God will only move in a way we expect and to think that anything we don't expect is simply of the devil. Interestingly enough, I am actually teaching on the manifestations of the Holy Spirit throughout scripture tomorrow night in Northern Virginia. I can send you my notes if you like.

I have a few thoughts on this. First, the author of this article doesn't discuss the scripture in Acts properly. Acts 2:13 (NIV) says "Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” I don't know anyone who has ever confused someone speaking in a different language with someone who is drunk. I lived overseas for 8 years and never thought someone speaking German/Italian/Japanese, etc. was drunk because of the language he is using. I think this verse is a clue to the activity that was happening. A few verses later, Peter makes the point that they are not drunk but that what is happening is a result of what Joel prophesied would happen--prophecy, dreams, visions, signs on the earth, etc. Second, I have met Heidi and Roland Baker and I can tell you that what they carry is as real as it gets. When someone has a realization of God's perfect love, it wrecks them. I have spent time in similar situations where I was wrecked by God's love and all I could do was lay on the floor. Third, we have to remember that we serve a supernatural God and we should expect him to act in supernatural ways. I don't want to serve a God that can only do what I expect or understand--he is so much bigger than that. If you want to keep from being deceived, ask God for discernment, that has always worked well for me.

Possibly, but I like to think that I am seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 2:6) and that I have authority over anything the enemy throws at me.

I read a great statement today on this topic (at least I thought it was great)..."We sin because we don't believe that we are who God says we are in his word" Here's a few verses that define believers: 1 Cor. 6:11 - We are washed, justified, and sanctified Eph. 1:4 - We are holy and blameless Eph. 1:7 - we are redeemed and forgiven Titus 2:14 - we are purified Rom. 6:2, 6 - we are dead to sin and no longer slaves to sin Rom. 3:22 - we are the righteousness of God we're all guilty of making mistakes but, if we could only grab hold of the truth of these verses I think we would see sin fall away pretty quickly.

I sometimes try to imagine how I would describe something I have never seen before. This is the situation John was in. I like to think that this sea is an actual body of water that has crystals for a seabed instead of sand. I hope they are smooth because I plan like to walk on them.

I do believe we can overcome sin on this side of eternity. I like what Jesus said in Matt. 5:38, " Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Some theologians cringe at the possibility of perfection in this life but I tend to think that if Jesus told us to do it, it is a possibility. That doesn't make it easy and we usually have to go through a process (could be a long one if it was an addiction) but being free from sin can be a reality.