The Toronto Curse: It isn't Funny

The latest madness that is infecting the churches has been dubbed the "Laughing Revival" or the "Toronto Blessing". This alleged blessing which is sweeping across America and Europe includes manifestations of laughing, crying, shaking, falling, screaming, shrieking, snorting, braying, roaring, clucking, barking, oinking, ad nauseam.

 The predominate experience is called getting "drunk in the Spirit" with its scriptural justification supposedly being Ephesians 5:18: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." But Paul is not comparing the infilling of the Holy Spirit with intoxication in this verse; he is contrasting the purposeful life in the Spirit with the unfulfilling life of sin.

 When the Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost, the devout and God-fearing Jews from foreign lands that gathered to observe the phenomena were amazed because they heard the Spirit-baptized believers speaking in the multitude's native tongues "the wonderful works of God," (not slurring their words, speaking foolishly or making animal noises). Others mocked and accused the 120 of being intoxicated. But Peter declared, "That these are not drunken as you suppose," and proceeded to give a convincing sermon that moved three thousand to repentance and faith in the Lord.

 Supporters of the Toronto phenomena claim to be experiencing joy in the Holy Ghost; but Proverbs 15:21 says, "Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom; but a man of understanding walketh uprightly." Jesus related the joy of the Lord to obedience: "If you keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." - John 15:10-11.

 Joy is an inner delight which is the result of a clear conscience from the forgiveness of past sins and present obedience to God. The fruit of the Spirit not only includes joy, but self-control. Biblical admonitions to rejoice are balanced with calls to sober-mindedness. Early Christians were called disciples because they had come under the disciplined life that Christian character demands.

 Joy in suffering for the cause of Christ is the theme of the New Testament. Jesus taught, "Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake." James 1:2 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations." The trials which Christians suffer for standing for righteousness and against sin should be our cause for rejoicing, because although these difficulties bring pain for the present they develop character.

 God miraculously fed Israel in the wilderness with manna from Heaven. But the people soon became tired of the manna and demanded flesh to eat. An angry God gave them what they wanted, quails two cubits high which made them sick and many died. People associated with the Toronto experience have rejected the manna of holiness and suffering. So God is giving them flesh, which will result in death to their souls if they don't repent of this, their folly.

 
Theology