There’s been a lot said lately about what’s gone wrong in the Charismatic movement. And unfortunately – some of it is true. But let’s remember why God initiated this movement to begin with.
Yes, we have seen the exposure of sin, the misuse of spiritual authority, and the elevation of gifting above character. We’ve watched influence grow faster than integrity, and platforms expand beyond accountability. We can’t ignore this and we must own it. But for those who may be discouraged, this is not just a time of reckoning. It’s a time of recalibration.
The Charismatic movement did not begin as a reactionary stream or a fringe expression of Christianity. It was, at its core, a restoration movement. It called the Church back to the reality that the Holy Spirit is not just a doctrine to affirm, but a Person to know. It reminded believers that the power of God was not reserved for history, but available for the present. It reawakened the truth that every believer – not just leaders – could hear His voice, be led by His Spirit, and participate in His work.
For many, this was life-changing. For the broader Body of Christ, it was meant to be strengthening. Where there had been form without power, the Charismatic movement reintroduced expectancy. Where there had been structure without participation, it reactivated the priesthood of all believers. Where there had been intellectual faith alone, it invited encounter. This was never meant to divide the Church. It was meant to supply what had been lacking.
So where did we go wrong?
We lost the bigger picture. In emphasizing the gifts, we often neglected the larger framework Scripture gives us. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul does not begin with “gifts.” He begins with “spirituals” – a much broader category that includes not only what is given, but how it is stewarded and what it produces. He goes on to describe not just gifts, but also services and activities – revealing that the work of the Spirit is multi-dimensional and fully governed by God.
But we reduced it. We focused on gifts more than maturity. Manifestation more than formation. Platform more than purity. And now – that imbalance is being exposed.
Scripture tells us that judgment begins in the house of God – not to destroy, but to purify. What’s being shaken isn’t the move of the Spirit. It’s not what God initiated that was flawed. It was what we built around it. It’s the structures, mindsets, and practices that could not sustain the weight of true spiritual authority.
If we are going to move forward, we must return to the fullness of what Scripture actually teaches about life in the Spirit. We must move beyond a gift-centered identity and recover a Spirit-governed life. This means understanding that gifts are given by grace, but must be stewarded in humility. Service requires submission, maturity, and accountability. Spiritual activity is ultimately measured by what God produces – not what we display.
It also means recognizing that spiritual power was never meant to operate apart from spiritual purity. The same Spirit who empowers also sanctifies. And any expression of the Spirit that bypasses the character of Christ must be questioned, no matter how compelling it appears.
To those within the Charismatic movement who feel disillusioned, grieved, or even embarrassed by what has been exposed – do not lose heart. God is not asking you to abandon what He has given. He is asking you to mature in it. The hunger for His presence, the desire to hear His voice, the expectation of His power – these are not the problem. These are treasures that must be preserved. What is being removed are the distortions that have attached themselves to those realities. This is a moment to rebuild on a stronger foundation. Not less of the Spirit – but more of His full work. Not less power – but power rightly aligned with purity. Not less expression – but expression governed by truth.
And to those outside Charismatic circles who have looked on with concern, skepticism, or even criticism – there is something important to understand. The failures you are seeing are not the fruit of the Holy Spirit. They are the result of misapplied truth and unguarded hearts.
But the core reality remains: God still speaks. God still heals. God still moves by His Spirit. And the Church needs this. The answer is not to reject what has been misused, but to rightly understand and restore it according to Scripture.
What’s ahead is a more mature Church. A people who understand not just the gifts – but the full work of the Spirit. A Church where power, purity, and accountability walk together. A generation that refuses to choose between truth and experience – and embraces both.
That He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
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12 Responses
Spot on Wanda! Thanks so much. Holy Spirit going deep and those who dig deep will truly find the waters of refreshing in His word!
Wanda,
You are a precious gift to the body of Christ, much needed at this time. Thank you for all you do.
Many blessings to you and your family.
Phillip
Wow… An excellent balanced response to what has been going on. So many statements I would expound on but I will spare you my ramblings.
As I read your statement about judgment beginning in the household of God, I thought that’s exactly what we’re seeing and now we’re seeing on the political side there are several are stepping down because of accusations of inappropriate behavior, fraud, etc. Just a thought…
Excellent delivery about this current situation we are in, your wording was spot on for me. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is always moving forward, never backward. We won’t be able to handle the weight of the future without a reset and restoration. Thank you Father for this wake up call.
Excellent article! Very well discerned and very well expressed!
Amen!
I so appreciate your being willing to stand up and speak out about this very difficult issue. You approach with balance and prayer. Appreciate your openness and also for your love for the whole body of Christ.
As always, well said.
Well said!
Thank you!
Yes and amen, Wanda!!! Excellent article.
Doesn’t it all come down to leadership and submission, as well as being accountable? The correct structure of authority in the church is so crucial, as you have mentioned previously. The Fathers, the shepherds! How we need those who are themselves submitted to the Heavenly Father!
I agree with what you have said and that we are accountable. The Church MUST return to reading the Word of God for themselves and praying for Holy Spirit to reveal the truth. Those that the Lord raised up to teach us will help us understand but we will only know that they are “off” if we are immersed in the scripture ourselves. The sheep know the voice of their Good Shepherd and listen to no other. How can we know His voice except to immerse ourselves, not in other people’s books (though helpful) but in the Word of God?
My personal opinion is that we are all going to be responsible for the next generation. The end time harvest will be great and the workers few. So we must “study to show ourselves approved” and then teach the next generation “when we get up and when we go to sleep. When we go out and when we come in.” I believe that the next generation is the group that God is going to use mightily. My generation (parent) is to equip them correctly and support them – to be Priscillas and Aquilas to the Apollos.
And like Wanda stated here – it started out good. But man was tempted and fell for the lies, thus twisting what God began. The Lord is faithful to complete what He started, and I pray that these leaders (national and local) repent and get about our Father’s business.