Is Being Slain in the Spirit Biblical? The Speaker’s Case

Randy Goodwins answer is clear: being “slain in the Spirit” is a man-made practice, not a biblical one, and he says Christians should reject it. He argues that the Bible’s passages about prayer, laying on of hands, and the Spirit do not describe the practice used in modern church meetings.

The two passages he connects to the practice

Randy Goodwin points to James 5:14–16, which tells people who are sick to call the church elders. They should pray over the sick person and anoint them with oil in the Lord’s name. The passage says the prayer of faith will save the sick person, the Lord will raise them up, and their sins will be forgiven.

He says this passage describes prayer for the sick, not someone being “slain in the Spirit.”

He also cites Acts 5:5–10, the account of Ananias and Sapphira. They died after lying about money they had promised. The speaker calls this the one biblical example in which the Spirit of the Lord came upon people and they died. He does not see it as support for modern church practices.

Why he says popular preaching can mislead

Randy Goodwin links “slain in the Spirit” to what he calls “itching ears,” drawing on Jeremiah 6:14 and 2 Timothy 4:3. He argues that people seek teachers who offer reassuring messages, while many teachers are ready to provide them. In his view, this pulls listeners away from sound doctrine and messages that challenge them.

He says popular messages can avoid subjects such as sin, repentance, forgiveness, hell, and judgment. He also criticizes teachings that present people as basically good, suggest God will not judge anyone, or promise health, wealth, and comfort in this life. He connects this desire for fresh ideas to Ecclesiastes 1:9–10, which says there is nothing new under the sun.

According to Goodwin, messages that make people feel good can fill churches, sell books, and gain popularity online. He contrasts that with Jesus’ hard teachings: in John 6:60–66, some followers called the teaching difficult, and many stopped following him.

His claims about Dim Mak, Chi, and charismatic preachers

Randy Goodwin compares the practice to Dim Mak, which he describes as a martial art that can give or remove energy. He calls that energy Chi and characterizes the practice as Hindu and as witchcraft. He also uses the term “psychic vampire” for someone who takes or gives away another person’s energy.

He claims that charismatic preachers and teachers have used these techniques while laying hands on people, casting out demons, and healing them. He says they may not know they are doing so because, in his view, entities within them drive the practice. These are the speaker’s claims about spiritual forces and energy.

His warning about women preaching and church meetings

Goodwin  invokes 1 Timothy 2:12 to argue that women should not teach or preach from the pulpit. He calls women who do so false teachers and false prophets. He also criticizes churches that welcome gay and lesbian people, while arguing that people should repent and follow Jesus. He cites Matthew 4:19 in making that appeal.

He says people who attend these meetings give the preachers permission and authority to take their energy. He further warns that involvement with the practice means following the spirit of antichrist, and says people should turn away from those he identifies that way.

His closing appeal is to repent and follow Jesus

Randy Goodwin ends by urging listeners to reject the practice, repent, and follow Jesus Christ. His final message is a direct call to leave what he considers a false teaching and return to the words of Jesus. https://RandyGoodwin.org