Thankfully, one doesn't need to even approach being all knowing to sense when Holy Spirit is quenched. I do know that proud leaders doing their own human thing often do it and often are clueless about having done it even when it's pointed out to them by reliable & gifted discerners.
But usually, even the unsaved of some sensitivity in the spiritual realm can sense it. And sometimes, it's so obvious, even the clueless unsaved can sense it.
Thankfully, I haven't seen this often, but it's even happened that Holy Spirit has suddenly descended on the whole room and a myriad of voices have begun to sing in tongues, in English, in humming . . . a weaving of Heavenly melodies that's instantly thick with Holy Spirit's Presence etc. and the whole room feels lifted Heavenwards . . . and the dolt worship leader gets up after a few short minutes and stops it to get on with the scripted program. Talk about horrible quenching of The Spirit! Usually there's enough of an outcry that the thick headed one doesn't attempt that ever again if he wants to keep his job.
And there's no EGO involved with outward expressions of piety? Go ask a pharisee. Spare me, please.
I have no clue what that's referring to. That's a point I have made--that pride is often involved in quenching, stopping, preventing AND IN POLLUTING moves of Holy Spirit. I think that's one reason God prefers to put spiritual leaders through long lists of long dark nights of the soul; wilderness experiences; fiery furnaces until they are lastingly broken and humble. Otherwise, His power through them ramps up their pride too much and they pollute what God's trying to do terribly.
Please don't flame me too much, but never have I seen such shallow faith than in those who make sure everyone sees them raise their hands and speak in tongues, with no edification.
I have no need to flame you. Yes, raising one's hands and singing or praying in tongues to The Lord CAN be grandstanding but it's, hopefully, more often just the person having intimate dialogue with God but happening to be amidst dozens or hundreds of others doing the same thing in the same place at the same time. There is power in heart unity of worship as in unity of prayer.
Or please answer me a question, why do pentecostals tell you you're sick because you have unconfessed sin in your life? Excuse me!? When you accept Christ into your heart, all the sins past, present and future are forgiven, so why would someone say something like that? They do say that. I read it in one of their pamphlets. I thought it was rather sad for a church to do that to someone when it goes against scripture.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.KJV
AMPLIFIED: James 5:16 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
THE MESSAGE: 16-18Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.
THAT'S PLAIN SCRIPTURE, TO ME. And one aspect of such that most Christians in most groups tend to ignore wholesale. I think folks can jump to conclusions that may be wrong on that score. I don't think failure to follow that verse is sufficient explanation for all sickness just as the man's sin or his parents sins were not the explanation when the pharisees asked in that particular case. But I think generally, the Scripture is right on. God meant what He said. And many folks are sick needlessly because they fail to follow that Scripture. Pride gets in the way.
I've had my fill of organized religion. I will continue to read God's word, that is how you know God's will. If you read the Bible you can't quench the Spirit.
I can identify with you lots on that score. I've stayed away from church for a year or more at a time several periods in my life. And, I've probably been bruised, abused, mangled, chewed up and spit out more by some churches than I've been edified by them.
Nevertheless, God is faithful. And, there IS a merit and Biblically obedient place in at least praying, worshipping and fellowshipping with others even if it's just a few in a home group weekly or however often.
God's best to you and yours.
That's the difference. We can be healed spiritually, but not necessarily physically. How disheartening for someone to think that all they need to do is confess their sin to God and think God will heal them physically, and then God doesn't heal them. What do you think that will do to their faith? Especially if they are new christians. Do I think God can heal? Yes, I do. Do I think God answers all prayers? Yes, but sometimes the answer is no. So anyone who say that all we have to do is confess our sin to be healed is misleading. I'm sorry but I still think charismatics are too hung up on physical signs. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us when we accept Christ. He doesn't leave us. So you're saying the Holy Spirit comes and goes? Not in my book. I Cor 14:26-33 says, regarding speaking in tongues, if no one can interpret then you are to keep it to yourself, because God is not a God of confusion.