Falling in the Spirit

Revelation 1:17

John wrote of his encounter with Jesus, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead…”

John 18:6

“When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”

Ezekiel 44:4

“…I looked and saw the glory of the LORD filling the temple of the LORD, and I fell facedown.”

It does not surprise me that when somebody encounters the presence of the Lord they often fall down. Some may be overwhelmed by His Glory, others may fall to their face in an act of reverence and respect. Still others are overcome by His anointed power. Here are other instances: Matthew 17:6; Acts 9:4-8; Ezekiel 1:28; 3:23, and 43:3; Daniel 8:17-18; and Daniel 10:8-9. Some fall forward, some fall back. Others may go to their knees.

Sometimes when people go forward for ministry at the end of a service, the anointing of the Presence is so strong they may fall as if fainting. This is sometimes called being “slain in the Spirit” but I don’t think that is an actual Biblical term. “Falling under the anointing” seems more accurate to me.

I never believed in this until it happened to me, and it has happened several times., without anyone touching me. My advice is, if you ever fall, stay lying down and let the Spirit minister to you His love, peace and healing. For some, the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit is received without falling. It is not about falling, but about receiving what the Spirit wants to give you.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Look up all the scriptures referenced above and ask the Holy Spirit to explain their significance.

Dive Deeper: Study Matthew 17:6; Acts 9:4-8; Ezekiel 1:28; 3:23, 43:3; Daniel 8:17-18; 10:8-9.