[Intro
by S. Dobbs, admin, Word Connect: The following consists of three articles
sent out as newsletters by Andrew Strom in Jan 2010.
The first relates to the dangers of Christians receiving the wrong
spirit, which he identifies as a “Kundalini” spirit.
The second is testimonies from people who claim this has happened
to them and the terrible consequences that followed. The third reflects
his views of what spiritual manifestations are genuinely of Gods
Holy Spirit. Even for those who disagree on some of these points
these articles will surely prove to be an extremely useful and informative
resource in weighing up such phenomena.]
1) KUNDALINI
WARNING – Urgent - by Andrew Strom.
I just saw the video of Rick Joyner announcing that Todd Bentley is back
ministering every night at Morningstar in North Carolina and now they
have so-called "revival" manifestations eerily similar to
Lakeland. They also announced that they are streaming these big meetings
every night on their new TV channel - and they are greatly promoting
the whole thing.
Now I am a tongues-speaking Pentecostal myself
- but can I ask a simple question here please? What kind of "spirit" was it operating
in the Lakeland revival - when the leader and main focal-point of the
meetings (Todd Bentley) was having an adulterous affair behind the scenes?
Was it truly the "Holy" Spirit that was anointing something
so sensual and unholy? And now that Todd divorced his wife and married
his mistress - are we supposed to welcome him back and this "anointing" with
him? What is going on here?
Rick Joyner has been warned very specifically
by high-level ministries not to do what he is doing now - bringing Todd
Bentley back into the limelight. And yet it seems he does not care. Apparently
the "manifestations" are all that matter.
So what exactly are
these 'manifestations' if they are seeminglyat home in such an unholy
environment? Are they from God at all? (I am talking
here about the violent "jerking", uncontrollable laughter,
bodily contortions, drunkenness, 'portals', strange "angel" encounters,
etc.) Why do we not see such an 'anointing' in the Bible? Why aren't
Jesus or the apostles promoting these manifestations if they really are
true
Revival? Why instead do we see these things all the way through the New
Age and Hinduism,etc? Do we
not realize that many false religions have their own version of "laying
on of hands" that results in these very types of manifestations?
This 'spirit' is not in the Bible - but it is all the way through Kundalini-type
Hinduism! Don't you think this should
alarm us?
WHAT is KUNDALINI?
If you search for Kundalini and Shakti
on the Internet, you will find that multitudes of people in the New Age
and Eastern religions still experience these powerful manifestations. Often
this is with the help of a Guru, who touches them on the forehead so that
they can experience a "Kundalini Awakening".
As researcher Robert Walker wrote in 1995: "The meetings which mystic Hindu gurus hold are called 'Darshan'.
At these meetings devotees go forward to receive spiritual experience
from a touch
by the open palm of the hand, often to the forehead, by the guru in what
is known as the Shakti Pat or divine touch.The raising of the spiritual
experience is called raising Kundalini…
After a period when the devotee has reached a certain spiritual elevation
they begin to shake, jerk, or hop or squirm uncontrollably,sometimes
breaking into uncontrolled animal noises or laughter as they reach an
ecstatic high. These manifestations are called 'Kriyas'. Devotees sometimes
roar like lions and show all kinds of physical signs during this period.
Often devotees move on to higher states of
spiritual consciousness and become inert physically and appear to slip
into an unconsciousness..."
And as the guru Shri Yogãnandji Mahãrãja wrote: "When Your body begins trembling, hair stands on roots, you laugh
or begin to weep without your wishing, your tongue begins to utter deformed
sounds,
you are filled with fear or see frightening visions…the Kundalini
Shakti has become active."
In China there is a popular Kundalini-type movement called 'Qigong'.
When a Chinese Qigong spiritual master spoke in the USA in 1991, the
San Francisco
Chronicle reported that many in the crowd began to experience "spontaneous
movements". The master told his audience, "Those who are
sensitive might start having some strong physical sensations - or start
laughing
or crying. Don't worry. This is quite normal."
When you see videos of these "kriyas" or other Kundalini-type
manifestations, you would often swear that you are watching a modern "Impartation" -
type church meeting. (And I say this as someone who believes strongly
in the
gifts of the Holy Spirit. I just don't believe in "alien" anointings
infiltrating the Body of Christ! There is a big difference between Kundalini
and the real Holy Spirit).
Since 1993-4, I believe a foreign spirit has been allowed to invade
the church - first through Rodney Howard-Browne's ministry - then Toronto,
then the Prophetic movement (which I was part of at the time) and on
into Lakeland and many other ministries and movements. I urge people
now to "test the spirits" just as we are commanded
to in Scripture. Do not let just anyone lay hands onyou. This is a powerful
spirit and
it has the backing of a lot of big-name ministries. In fact, these men
and women are the very ones responsible for allowing it to spread right
through the body of Christ. And one day they will be answerable to God
for doing so.
We are specifically warned in the Bible that the Last Days will be a
time of "seducing spirits," false prophets, 'lying signs
and wonders,' and that we always need to watch for "angels
of light" masquerading
as the real thing. Why does the modern church not take these warnings
seriously? Aren't we living in the very days that the Bible warns about?
Right now I need to do something that I have never done in such a way
before. I have never before published a list of ministries or movements
to watch out for. But this time I have to. This sickness has gone on
long enough. I urge you to cut yourself off from the following ministries
and their tainted "anointings" my friends. Even though some
of these people say "good things" at times, it is
simply not worth having any involvement with them due to the tainted
anointing that they endorse or minister in themselves. Here is the list:-
1.
Todd Bentley.
2.
Rodney Howard Browne - the so-called "Holy
Ghost Bartender."
3.
Rick Joyner or anyone connected with
Morningstar Ministries.
4.
John Arnott & any connected with
TACF (The "Toronto Blessing").
5.
Peter Wagner of the 'New Apostolic
Reformation' who claims to be head of a worldwide network of 'apostles'
- who publicly endorsed Lakeland and will soon preach at Toronto
TACF alongside other "false anointing" advocates.
6.
Mike Bickle and IHOP Kansas City
(-I lived nearby for over two years - and know how much they are
into all this stuff. Mike Bickle promotes it in his book).
7.
Bob Jones - the Kansas City prophet
whose ministry is utterly tainted by it all.
8.
Patricia King and anyone else from
'Extreme Prophetic.'
9.
John Crowder & anyone connected
with "Sloshfest."
10.
Bill Johnson of Bethel church, Redding
- who says some good things but publicly endorsed Lakeland and promotes
the "false anointing" very strongly behind the scenes.
11.
Heidi & Rolland Baker of IRIS
Ministries - who do good work amongst the poor in Mozambique - but
who have also carried and promoted this tainted anointing for years.
12.
Randy Clark, Wes & Stacey Campbell,
and other key figures from the "Toronto blessing."
13.
The Elijah List - and
almost anyone featured on it.
Of course there are a huge number of lesser-known preachers and ministries
who carry or endorse this Kundalini-type "anointing" around the
world. But I have concentrated here on the most influential that I know of.
It really is an enormous issue in the church. I urge anyone who is a supporter
of any of the above
ministries to really check them out thoroughly. If you find (as I have) that
they carry or endorse this false Kundalini spirit in the church, then please
stop supporting them in any way - and whatever you do, don't let them "lay
hands" on you!
I am putting everything on the line to be "naming names" like
this. But I believe it is that serious. How on earth did we get to the
point where "kriyas" just like Hinduism are spreading through
the church?
Please forward this email to everyone you know, blogs and boards, etc.
These people are trying to "relaunch" this whole thing right
now. Help us get this warning out. To see a video showing "kriyas" and
other Kundalini-type manifestations, please click on the Youtube links
below:-
"D" writes:
I went to Lakeland 3 times. I was so drawn to go there. I really thought
it was of God... I had so many supernatural experiences - to seeing
a mystical Jesus with a third eye, angels talking to me, visions, being
transported. I had one experience with my daughter being in the room
and her experiencing it too. I was roaring like a lion, had gold dust
and many other experiences. The worst thing that happened to me is
that it got sexual. This false Jesus was approaching me sexually and
I fell into it. I still to this day do not understand how I could have
been so decieved. I have been a Christian since the age of 16. I am
49 now... I fell right in... hook, line and sinker. When I came home
that last viist I became aware it was
demonic, and I was surrounded and covered with demons literally, it was
so horrible, all that I went through, you cannot imagine... I
was seeing demons and being touched sexually and tormentingly constantly..
it has been 1 1/2 years and I am still battling these demonic
spirits. I cry out to the Lord everyday for total deliverance.
It has been horrible. I have renounced and repented, but
still fighting. How do we get free of this?
SHERIE writes:
I can testify that I was infested with this foul eastern spirit, the
kundalini. I was in a movement from 1992 - 2000 which had close links
with the
Toronto movement. From 2000 - 2006 I joined a church with links
to Bill Johnson.
I was desperate for God to move in my life and change situations and
heal hurts and was very open to ministry - I had many in this movement
touch my forehead and experienced the manifestations you describe - drunkenness,
laughing and crying, shaking. I got dreams and visions
and just before I left the structure (church) I had a vivid
dream of a huge python that came through the back door and attached
itself to my car, and also to rooms in my home. I was very disturbed
and sought the Lord for an answer.
It took about 6 months before I was delivered, but God brought a couple
over my path who God had trained and had victory over spiritual entities.
Every time I was in their presence, I would get very anxious, and they
would calmly pray for me and I could feel darkness leaving and my sanity
restored. It was only after 6 months of these episodes, I was again in
their presence and sensed a fight ensue in the Spirit. I was very anxious
and fearful and could feel a huge snake in my spine - I was rigid and
very uncomfortable - It felt as if this thing wanted to throttle me and
rob me of my life. I called out to God and they quietly prayed - then
I asked the Lady to pull this serpent out of my head - it felt as if
it could exit near the top of my crown. She continued to pray and I got
the word "kundalini " in my spirit and just commanded this
thing by its name to go in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. I pled the
blood as it was very frightening, and it left. I felt like a washed out
rag, but I was free!
That was the last lime I had deliverance and my spiritual eyes have
since opened and God has done a mighty work in me outside of the structure...
Afterwards they were amazed and asked me what strange term I had used
and where it came from - I had no idea except that it was God who gave
me knowledge in that situation.
Thank you for the info that has made everything clear to me!I Now have
confirmation from where I was infected! May many of your readers heed
the call of God to "come out and sever yourselves" from Babylon
and its lies and deception and foul spirits, while there is time...
LUCY writes:
David Wilkerson also mentioned the kundalini spirit, and I researched
it in late October, after having attended the Fredericks-burg (Virginia)
Prayer Furnace at which Che Ahn ministered. There, I saw many of the
manifestations you mention: hopping and jumping during "worship",
falling backward at Che Ahn's touch, extreme jerkiness in several cases.
Very uncomfortable with this, I came home and watched (my first time
ever) videos of Todd Bentley. Needless to say, I was appalled...
SARAH writes:
I'm just about in tears over all of this...
May and I watched the very first nights of the recent "outpouring
of the Holy Spirit" on the IHOP webstream and boy, did that turn
sour fast. Aside from the singing on the first night, everything was
just messed up. AHH! It's breaking my heart! How many people do we know
and love in KC?!
I've watched my beloved siblings laugh uncontrollably, jerk as though
sick, stumble and speak as though drunk, and "sing in tongues" in
complete chaos and without interpretation. I've raised the issue among
friends of being "drunk in the Spirit" and
even though I prove over and over that God is for self-control, which
they agree with, they continue to act like drunken fools! (See Titus
1:8 and 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 which compared in the NKJV and NIV
relates self-control with being sober, pointing to the fact that the
Holy Spirit is not one who takes delight in being drunk at all, but in
being sober-minded - fruit of the Spirit, what? Drunkenness is the complete
opposite of being filled with the Holy Spirit! For sober-mindedness is
a filling of Him!; 1 Peter 1:13, 4:7, and 5:8 ...
BRENDA writes:
A very dear friend of mine who has been my prayer partner for years were
lured into the enemy's web of deception about many of the ministries
and manifestations that you spoke about. After reading and listening
to your web broadcasts we had a powerful prayer session repenting, renouncing,
and commanding any spirit that we had picked up from these false prophets/doctrines
of demons, etc. to go from us in Jesus' name. We broke all kinds of things
off of us. Most of it was deep repentance and renouncing - thank you
for exposing the enemy and his tactics and all the deception that the
church body has fallen deeply into...
ANDREW STROM: Yes - if you have had "hands laid" or
done "soaking prayer" under any of these kinds of ministries,
it is very important to RENOUNCE (from the very depths of your being
in Jesus' name) and also COMMAND OUT these 'kundalini' spirits or any
other "anointing" that you have received. Remember,
you must VIOLENTLY EXPEL these things in the name of JESUS. Be FREE in
His mighty name!
I truly wonder what God is going to do to those ministries who have been
spreading this alien spirit right through the Body of Christ. Truly,
Judgment must begin "at the house of God."
Blessings to all,
Andrew Strom.
3) WHAT About FALLING DOWN?? - by Andrew Strom.
After reading what we have published regarding
the dangers of Kundalini, etc, a lot of people may be wondering what is "OK" -
what is really from the Holy Spirit?
Does the Holy Spirit sometimes cause people to "fall down" under
the power of God? Yes - sometimes He does. But He does not need to make
some big "show" about it. And neither does He need men to "push" people
over, either. There are counterfeits for everything.
What about the gifts of the Holy Spirit - like tongues, prophecy, healings,
discernment and the casting out of demons, etc? Yes - I believe very
strongly in ALL the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are right the way
through the New Testament. But the key is this word "Holy." The
real gifts of God have a holiness and purity about them. You can sense
this. Counterfeits tends to have a "weirdness" or ugliness
about them.
Let me give you an example. I received the following account from a
preacher in England several years ago: "There were about 20 fellow
ministers all gathered together in one large room at a local minister's
house. We were introduced to the special guest... The next 3 hours were
the weirdest three hours I have ever had to endure. We started listening
to [her] testimony which seemed very powerful, next she spoke of the
times that she meets with the Angel Gabriel and other spiritual beings,
next we moved on to portals between this world and the next and then
finally to how she was going to open up a portal to Heaven in the room
that we were all in. Now things started to happen, really crazy things
and strange noises... As [she] moved around the room ministering to individual
people they were crashing to the ground, bouncing up and down, running
around as if on fire and making all sorts of sounds. When she came to
me she had no prophetic
words for me and nothing happened to me so she just moved on. My Vineyard
friend was the first to crash to the floor. Since that day his church
has taken on a different guise, it is not the same church any more."
Please notice that the PREACHING was different from true Biblical preaching
- and the SPIRIT that the lady was ministering in did not seem like the
pure Holy Spirit. Can you tell the difference?
We need to watch out for preachers who bring unbiblical or "New
Age"-sounding
terms into their preaching - or who talk about "angels" all
the time. Can people have true encounters with real angels? Yes - but
always these beings that come from the presence of a Holy God carry His "holiness" with
them. Angels in the Bible always carried this weighty presence of a Holy
God. There is too much weirdness, ugliness and silliness in a lot of
Christian meetings today. And I believe a lot of these encounters are
not real angels at all.
So should we go forward with prayer needs for healing, etc? Absolutely!
- If the preaching is sound and biblical and they are not putting on
some big "show." As long as the preacher has
not gotten some weird "impartation" from one of these strange "revival" meetings
then they are probably fine. In fact, I am all for the real
power of God being demonstrated in the earth! I wish we were seeing a
lot MORE true healings and deliverances and miracles - not less! Jesus
said, "These things will you do - and greater things than these"!
(Jn 14:12).
Just think about the Book of Acts for a moment. Not only are there healings
and miracles and demons being cast out right through the whole book,
but there are also occasionally angels appearing with instructions from
the Lord, and an abundance of dreams, visions and prophecies, etc. So
we see that God is definitely a
SUPERNATURAL GOD. He does do "unusual" things. Angelic visitations
DO HAPPEN. Prophetic signs DO OCCUR. But please notice that all of these
things have a certain holy "character" about them. And that
is the key right there. They have a holy character, because they come
from a holy God.
I believe in a true Revival that has the piercing "word" of
a John the Baptist or a Jonathan Edwards or a Charles Finney - accompanied
by the most powerful MIRACLES that anyone has ever seen. I believe in
a Revival like that - the "word and Spirit joined." True, piercing
'holiness' preaching with real signs and miracles following. There is
nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is what the Book of Acts shows us
again and again. Bring it on, Lord!
So please be discerning - but don't be afraid of the real super-natural
power of God. Without it, we simply cannot reach this lost and dying
world in the way that God has called us to. The devil wants us to be
so afraid of the "counterfeit" that we
run right over to the other extreme - where we don't want God's power
or
anything "unusual" at all. This is just as big a trap as the "Charismania" excesses
on the other side. The devil loves to push us to extremes - either hyper-Charismania
or dead orthodoxy. I believe in a powerful balance right in the middle
- the "word
and the Spirit" joined. That is where real Revival is to be found.
Don't let the devil rob you by pushing you to either extreme, my friends.
