In our town, there is a growing congregation of young people coming from across the country to find and experience the work of the Spirit, as Bethel says. Something is happening there that, according to Bethel, is unique, powerful, and refreshing the church. So what exactly is that something that is happening, according to Bethel? What is that sign that the Holy Spirit is powerfully at work in and through their movement?
Before I answer that question, remember what Galatians 5 teaches us is the sign that the Spirit is in fact at work in us:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- Galatians 5:19-24
In light of that Scripture passage, how would you respond to the sincere question by a young person, taught by Bethel, who approaches you at Turtle Bay Bridge and says, "Are you experiencing a work of the Holy Spirit? Would you like to have a clear demonstration of that work in your life?" What would be your polite and honest answer to that question?
Now take a look at what a young friend of N. posted on his public Facebook page a couple of years ago (I'm keeping that young friend's name private for modesty's sake); N. had alerted me to that post so I could better understand the thinking of those joining Bethel.
Your answer to Bethel Redding's question should confidently be this: I do have the work of the Spirit in me. I know that because I am growing in the fruit of the Spirit and learning to control my sinful desires. I am growing every year in self-control, gentleness, etc. and abandoning the habits of envy, anger, etc.
The snare of the Bethel mindset is that they want you to think that the evidence of God’s work in you is in the dramatic display of feelings or ecstatic outbursts. This mindset sends you on a wild goose chase of looking for ever more psychologically bizarre experiences that substitute for spiritually learning to have more self-control.
The last big church I remember going down this road of searching for the signs of God’s work outside of the signs given to us in Scripture eventually wound up in a humiliating implosion of churchgoers imitating barking dogs and other animals: here’s a short description of that church https://www.gotquestions.org/Toronto-blessing.html
Like Nebuchadnezzar, God turned them over to humiliating personal behavior: “...you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you until you know that the Most-High rules the kingdom of men..." - Daniel 4:32
So, my sons, and daughters, remember your upbringing, remember your biblical Scripture, and trust your spiritually honed instincts to protect your dignity.