Kundalini spirits in the church?

Andrew Strom has re-ignited concerns which have surfaced periodically since the time of the Toronto Blessing in 1994. The outspoken New Zealand preacher has written a book entitled 'Kundalini Warning' which suggests that false spirits are invading the church.

Ed. Foreward

I researched the New Age Movement (and its associated eastern spiritualities) back in the late 80s/early 90s and spoke, (by invitation at that time) to many church groups on the subject.
Awakening the Kundalini is the expression used by mystics, Hindu gurus and New Agers for the practice of focussing on a 'serpent spirit' which, they say, resides in each one of us in the form of a coiled snake located at the base of the spine. Through meditation and physical body positioning the aim is to 'raise the Kundalini' through a total of seven spiritual waypoints – called 'Chakras' – located along the spine.

The aim is to elevate the Kundalini spirit to the 'Crown Chakra' which is located at the top of the skull. Those who have gone through this process have described it as 'mind-blowing'.
I threw the 'best' book I had on the subject into the waste bucket as I didn't want it in my home, and I wouldn't want to quote from it in this article anyway.

The practice, which is spiritually dangerous in the extreme, is often linked with Yoga-like exercises associated with eastern meditation and mysticism. Chanting and essentially self-hypnotic routines can be a 'way in'.

Andrew Strom believes that these phenomena – stretching back to the Toronto Blessing – represent the 'worst invasion [of deceiving spirits] in church history' and, in his concern, goes as far as controversaly 'naming names'. It is up to the reader to exercise his/her own discernment on all that is contained in the following.

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KUNDALINI WARNING – Urgent

-by Andrew Strom.

Kundalini1

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 seemingly at 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?

Chakras2

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 on you. 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."
(2) Rick Joyner or anyone connected with Morningstar Ministries.
(3) John Arnott & any connected with TACF (The "Toronto Blessing").
(4) 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.
(5) 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).
(6) Bob Jones - the Kansas City prophet whose ministry is utterly tainted by it all.
(7) Patricia King and anyone else from 'Extreme Prophetic.'
(8) John Crowder & anyone connected with "Sloshfest."
(9) 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.
(10) 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.
(11) Randy Clark, Wes & Stacey Campbell, and other key figures from the "Toronto blessing."
(12) 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?
These people are trying to "relaunch" this whole thing right now. To see a video showing "kriyas" and other Kundalini-type manifestations, please click on the Youtube links below-

Part One Part Two

Andrew Strom is founder of RevivalSchool.com and the international REVIVAL list. He was involved for 11 years in the same Prophetic movement as Todd Bentley until he left over what he saw as the unbiblical and bizarre phenomenon within that movement. His article originally entitled 'Why I left the prophetic movent' has since been published in book form with the title 'True and False Revival'.

Footnote: Links to Related Articles on the Lakeland revival and on discernment can be found in the sidebar at the top of this page.

Christians Together, 31/07/2010

Feedback:

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	Brian Ross	15/08/2010 10:43
"Is discernment a gift?" "A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. HE GIVES SOMEONE ELSE THE ABILITY TO DISCERN WHETHER A MESSAGE IS FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD, OR FROM ANOTHER SPIRIT. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being ssid. IT IS THE ONE AND ONLY SPIRIT WHO DISTRIBUTES ALL THESE GIFTS. HE ALONE DECIDES WHICH GIFT EACH PERSON SHOULD HAVE." (I Cor.12:7-11) So, Paul, according to another of the same name, inspired by God the Holy Spirit, discernment is indeed a gift! Andrea, if that same Spirit has not seen it fit to provide you with the gift of tongues (or any other named gift), that is not a problem.. I do not know you personally but, from what I have read on these threads, you are a dear sister in the Lord, and I love you, in Him. I have never subscribed to the claim that only those who have the gift of tongues are "true" believers! Paul (the apostle one!) would not have subscribed to it either! As I have already suggested, I don't take any account of any gift you might claim to have until I see some evidence of the fruit!! May God bless both of you.
	Andrea Mac	15/08/2010 11:01
Thank you, Brian. I don't see it as a problem either and do see it as a gift, like any other which we are given. Unfortunately, we live in a society which generally has confused the meaning of the word 'gift' to mean 'want'. There are undoubtedly those who 'want' to be able to exercise all sorts of spiritual gifts but have not been given it as a gift from God. We've all heard preachers who shouldn't be preaching, singers who shouldn't be singing and faith healers who shouldn't be attempting to heal. Sadly, even genuine Christians become sceptical and have a suspicion about them all, almost expecting them to be bogus. This is where spiritual discernment should come into play but, even there, many cannot discern and get sucked into a wrong doctrine and practice. I'm happy to live my life without the gift of speaking in tongues as I know I am saved and, for me, that is what it is all about. God has given me opportunities to use other modest abilities to bring glory to His name and for that, I am thankful and content.
	Paul Whitworth	15/08/2010 19:18
Thanks Peter and Brian, I'm happy to stand corrected. Might I still venture another question on the subject though? Is discernment lacking in the church? I'm not sure it is. There are often pressures when people get swept along by something that it is not from God. Many do not see the need to stand apart from it and others don't want to upset others in the church so also keep quiet. Also if someone embraces a false spirit do they just lack one particular gift or do they have a different spirit? (Kundalini for example) As for speaking in tongues, I think similarly to Andrea and I do not have the 'gift' myself. I'm not sure how it edifies and it seems somewhat fruitless. Fire at will!
	Peter Carr	15/08/2010 22:40
Paul, The real question for me is not so much "Is discernment lacking in church?" But rather 'Is apathy rife in the church?' And the sad answer I find is yes. Far too many in my experience are so apathetic, that for that reason alone they lack discernment!!
	Peter Horne (Guest)	16/08/2010 15:10
Paul, you said: "I'm not sure how it edifies". Perhaps you could ask others who do have this gift. It must indeed be difficult for anyone "outside of the experience" to make that sort of judgement. What we can say is that the Bible encourages us to seek the gifts of God (1 Cor 14:1 and 1 Cor 12:31).
	Paul Whitworth	18/08/2010 12:41
Peter (Carr) when you talk of apathy in the church what do you mean exactly? I think I see what you're saying, that perhaps people can't be bothered or troubled to make a stand. Is that right? Peter (Horne) I agree that we should seek a fullness in all things of the spirit but not everyone has the gift of discernment but it is clear to me how the church is built up through the gift. When there is a room full of people engaged in 'tongues' and no one translates that to plain speaking what are those who do not have the gift to make of it? I am as you say outside of the experience and I often feel uneasy when in such a situation.
	Peter Carr	18/08/2010 16:10
Paul (Whitworth) :), I mean that the church in many respects has aligned itself with the world and is more focused on too many areas that have led to compromise, complacency and apathy, and as such doesn't really have an appetite for deeper spiritual concerns!
	Paul Whitworth	18/08/2010 17:12
Lol, (you see what I did there...)
	John Wilson (Guest)	19/08/2010 03:33
Paul wrote “is discernment a gift? Is it not being well grounded in the word so that things may be measured accordingly? Again I would see this as a basic of the faith and one that is also lacking.” Anybody who studies the word of God regularly and tests the spirits (as instructed by 1 John 4) should grow in discernment and instantly recognise the false teachers, prophets and apostles when they infiltrate the Church. Also one should be able to discern false practices and abuse of spiritual gifts based on the word of God. I would say Paul that you were exercising your discernment by just feeling uncomfortable at everyone speaking in tongues in an unintelligible way because your feeling was perfectly justified in light of scripture where the apostle Paul discourages the Corinthians from speaking in tongues at the same time in an unintelligible manner with no-one to interpret. Note: I’m not against tongues as I sometimes speak in tongues in my personal prayer life. Usually this is not something I initiate but just happens usually when I can’t find the words to express to God my feelings and needs but I know the Spirit is interceding. The reason false spirits tend to flourish in certain denominations is because a huge number of its believers tend to exalt dreams, visions and experience over good old study of the Scriptures and as a result fail to test the spirits because they are apathetic when it comes to studying the word. “My people suffer from a lack of Knowledge.” However there is another extreme where people including myself at one-time unknowingly exalt their own non-experience over the clear teaching of scripture concerning gifts of the spirit, as a result they usually hold a cessationist view which I see now as a position of unbelief. There is a difference though I believe between regular everyday Discernment (Something every Christian should have in some measure at least) to the “gift of discerning spirits” “HE GIVES SOMEONE ELSE THE ABILITY TO DISCERN WHETHER A MESSAGE IS FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD, OR FROM ANOTHER SPIRIT.” Be careful with the Living translation Brian. This idea of the ability to discern whether a message is from God or another spirit or not would be consistent with other scripture (john 1.4) but it is quite a bit different to what the scripture says in other translations. For example instead the NIV reads “to another distinguishing between spirits” The NKJ reads “to another discerning of spirits” The ESV Reads. “the ability to distinguish between spirits” In the other translations there is no suggestion or mention that this specific gift is for discerning “messages.” The specific gift of discerning spirits mentioned in Corinthians is often used when casting out demons and is very beneficial to healing ministries, evangelism and prayer, it was part of Jesus and the disciple’s ministry yet is largely ignored and rejected by the western church today. Usually because it has been grossly distorted and counterfeited by false teachers (Todd bently etc) within in the charismatic movement who themselves have no discernment because they are ignorant of matters they do not understand.
	John Wilson (Guest)	19/08/2010 03:39
Note Jesus would often discern Kinds of Spirits when casting them out. Not that he needed to. eg "come out of him you deaf and mute spirit"

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