Playing With Holy Fire: A Wake-Up Call to the Pentecostal-Charismatic Church

by Michael L. Brown

I do believe the Lord brings people into His very presence and gives others glimpses of heaven and hell, and when someone claims they’ve had such an experience, my first response is not skepticism. But it is not complete acceptance either. I listen with interest yet with caution. If the person has a solid track record in the Lord, I listen with even more interest. And if what they say is in harmony with Scripture, then I wonder, “Could this be true?” And if I can see they have been changed by this experience, and if I sense the Spirit on it, then I take it even more seriously. But the last thing I’m going to do is believe every report of a heavenly journey or angelic visitation just because someone said it happened, especially if I don’t see corresponding fruit that lines up. By all means, let’s be believers, not skeptics, but let’s be believers with our heads screwed on right.