What is being slain in the Spirit? Is it biblical?

In the Bible, falling before God was rare and always a response to His awe-inspiring presence, not a leader’s touch. Today’s “slain in the Spirit” practices, where people often fall backward at someone’s prompting, have no scriptural basis.

what does the bible say?

Being slain in the Spirit is a practice in which people fall, often backward, during worship—usually prompted by a leader or the emotional atmosphere of a service—but it has no direct biblical precedent. In the Bible, falling before God occurred only in rare and specific circumstances, always as a response to His overwhelming presence, a vision, or a revelation, never at the prompting or touch of another human being (Daniel 8:17; Revelation 1:17; Matthew 17:6). Biblical examples show that people fell forward, often with their face to the ground (Exodus 34:8; Daniel 8:17), in awe and reverence, not as part of a repeated ritual or group experience. Modern practices, however, often involve falling backward, sometimes repeatedly or in large groups, raising questions about whether these experiences are driven by genuine encounters with God or by heightened emotions, peer influence, or even spiritual deception. While God can certainly work in extraordinary ways to move people, discernment is critical; those who participate should evaluate whether their experience aligns with Scripture, reflects true reverence for God, and leads to a deeper love, obedience, and awe of Him, rather than relying on the power or influence of a human leader.

from the old testament

There were times in the Bible where people encountering God’s presence fell down or became “as dead.” Examination of these passages, however, shows many differences between these examples and modern claims to be slain in the Spirit. First, the examples of people falling down as the result of God’s presence are rare in Scripture. Only a few occurrences exist (Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 8:17-18; 10:7-9; see also Matthew 17:6; Revelation 1:17). As a result, it is highly unlikely that many people falling down during the same worship service are experiencing the same movement of God noted in such biblical passages.
When a person fell down before God in the Bible, it was always a response to something God Himself had done, such as a vision or revelation (Daniel 8:17; see also Revelation 1:17).
Those who fell before the Lord in the Bible fell forward, often with their face to the ground (Exodus 34:8; Daniel 8:17; see also Revelation 1:17). This is the opposite of what is typically experienced today when people claim to be “slain in the Spirit,” where they usually fall backward as a result of a spiritual movement.

from the new testament

Biblical examples focus on an experience with God, such as a vision or the transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:6). Falling down before the Lord was not generally associated with music or a sermon, as is often the practice in today’s churches where people practice being slain in the Spirit.

implications for today

In modern churches, particularly those associated with the charismatic movement, the practice of being slain in the Spirit may occur. This is an event in which a person falls down or passes out during a worship service, allegedly based on an overwhelming move of God’s Spirit during a particular time or through a particular person. A look at biblical examples reveals that much of what is called being slain in the Spirit is likely not produced by God, but rather by an emotional environment that promotes an action like falling down during a worship service. This claim does not question the sincerity of those involved. However, it does prompt those who participate in such services to ask hard questions regarding the biblical evidence sometimes used to support such practices. For example, in the modern practice of being slain in the Spirit, falling down is usually associated with a particular charismatic leader. There is no example in the Bible of a godly leader placing hands on a person in order for the person to fall down before the Lord. God can certainly work in ways that cause people to fall down before Him. The Bible provides examples of this. However, those who regularly experience being “slain in the Spirit” should question whether the activity is truly of God or if it is the result of an emotional worship experience or spiritual forces not of God.

Recap

understand

Being slain in the Spirit, as it is practiced in some charismatic churches, is not biblical.
Biblical falling was rare, always a response to God’s presence or revelation.
Modern practices referred to as being slain in the spirit require discernment to ensure they reflect God’s work, not human hype.

reflect

How do you distinguish between genuine encounters with God and emotional responses in worship?
Have you ever felt pressure to respond in a certain way during a service, and what helps you respond in a way that is biblical?
In your personal worship, how do you seek to honor God without relying on dramatic experiences or the influence of others?

engage

How can we discern between God’s work and emotionally-driven practices in worship?
What biblical examples of awe and reverence can guide our understanding of proper responses to God’s presence?
How might group dynamics or charismatic leadership impact our perception of spiritual experiences, and how should we respond?