Thanks for sharing your experiences here.

First, I would encourage you not to develop a negative attitude based on bad experiences. Remember Paul wrote that we should not despise prophecies.

Second, I would meditate on the good rather than the bad, focusing on building faith and expectation.

Third, I would encourage you to take hold of Luke 11:9-13. Since the day I was filled with the Spirit and began to speak in tongues (Jan 24, 1972), I have not worried about speaking in a “false tongue.”

Fourth, let tongues flow out of your worship and prayer. For me, this happens quite naturally and, after praying in tongues for a period of time, I find myself quite edified, in accordance with 1 Cor 14. But if you try to hyper-analayze everything, it’s hard to stay focused on the Lord and in the Spirit.

The Word gives us broad guidelines to follow, basic doctrines to hold to, and a description of the fruit that should be produced. Major on that and don’t get hung up on side issues.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I didnt mean to sound like my question was for your friends case.

Sure, some prophecies could be conditional and not come to pass because of repentance for example. However, this was not the case in what I have seen.

Doug

As you are waiting for Dr. Brown to respond, I was wondering if you are aware that there are prophecies can be conditional and unconditional?

I don’t mean to be a trouble maker. This is an issue I have considered seriously for some time (I have probably read half of your recommended books on the issue). Thanks for answering my question. I must say I was surprised to hear your answer!

My experience and the experience of the people I have met have been different. In my experience in a charismatic meeting I saw prophecy I do not believe to be genuine. I likewise have a friend whose wife was received a false prophecy that she would be healed. Usually when you hear testimony about the prophetic people can find some good example but there they don’t mention the 10 questionable prophecies that came before it. With tongues my experience has been similar. Another friend had someone tell them to tilt their head back and say some nonsense to receive the gift. My personal experience with tongues from a oneness group left me very confused (although more discerning).

I don’t intend to lump all charismatic groups into the extreme fringe. Actually what worries me most about the extreme fringe is some of what they do is quite similar to the mainstream groups do. Let me ask you another question if you don’t mind. I am open to moving in the gifts and agree that the Bible teaches they continue but I am very weary. I don’t want to speak in a false tongue to God or make a false prophecy. What would be your suggestion on how I should proceed?

Doug

I just spotted your post now. The last few prophecies I heard were accurate, some of them strikingly so. Does this answer your question?

I’ve also been in thousands of charismatic meetings in my life (some of them very intense) and have yet to see someone barking like a dog, and only once do I remember someone “in the Spirit” wielding a sword (and it’s possible he was acting something out prophetically, but I can’t make judgment without more information).

So, why major on the extreme fringe of the fringe (be it right or wrong) as opposed to looking at the wonderful things the Lord is doing and, more importantly, embracing what His Word clearly teaches concerning the continuance of the gifts?

I am not exactly sure what you are asking. I suppose that someone may shake as a result of a real move of the spirit. However, when this sort of thing happens again and again or the effects last for a long period of time it seems that something is not right along the lines of the other things I mentioned.

Doug

One the extreme side you mention like shaking, what are your thoughts. I have my thoughts but I would like to hear yours.

My approach to discernment is to use the Bible. With prophecies this is not straightforward if a biblical teaching is not contradicted. My main concern is the revelatory gifts (prophecy, words of wisdom and knowledge and to a lesser extent interpretation of tongues). Although the various experiences that people have, like what I had with the oneness group, are also a concern. On the more extreme side I am told things like barking like dogs, shaking for long periods of time and pretending to wield swords happen.

Doug