Twitter users were disturbed by a TikTok video of some kind of service involving a man wildly swinging a sword as he and another man speak in tongues while being accompanied by a band.
At one point, a person walks in front of the swordsman just as they thrust forward and then pull back, seemingly aware they almost impaled someone.
The entire time, the video is overlaid with text reading “Ephesians 6:10-12," Bible verses that urge Christians to "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes" before adding:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
You can see the video for yourself below.
\u201cSwordplay and speaking in tongues for Jesus\u2026\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
Speaking in tongues is practiced in Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity and is mentioned in the Bible on several different occasions, particularly Mark 16:17, which records the instructions of Christ to the apostles, including his description that "they will speak with new tongues" as a sign that would follow "them that believe" in him.
The practice is part of the idea that those who are faithful can channel the Holy Spirit through their bodies, which could result in them speaking in different languages, or tongues, while in a trance-like state.
Those who haven't had much experience with this brand of Christianity would no doubt be put off seeing this in action.
And many Twitter users were indeed weirded out and mocked the video profusely.
\u201c@BroSpencer @ChristnNitemare The physical danger has nothing on the sheer cringe.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
\u201c@ChristnNitemare It\u2019s a miracle\u2026 that person running in front of the camera wasn\u2019t impaled.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
\u201c@ChristnNitemare Sir, it is 7 a.m can I please have my dystopian timeline arrive at least after coffee?\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
\u201c@ChristnNitemare If only they understood the very scriptures they're referencing.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
\u201c@ChristnNitemare And I\u2019m told I\u2019m not allowed to call these people crazy \u203d\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
\u201c@ChristnNitemare @onedumbboy When the camera pans and you realize this is all taking place inside a trash bag.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
\u201c@ChristnNitemare I\u2019m an atheist, but even I\u2019m praying for something to go wrong here.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
\u201c@ChristnNitemare I don't want to ever be told I'm wasting my time playing video games when there are people out there doing whatever TF this is.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
\u201c@ChristnNitemare Wild that someone managed to capture my exact reaction to being in a church like this and the spirit just wasn\u2019t hitting me like it was everyone else but you still gotta maintain it\u2026\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1675774357
As of this writing, the video has been viewed millions of times and been widely shared.
It attracted more attention on Twitter after being shared by the account "Christian Nightmares," which often tracks odd and often bizarre behavior across the Christian fundamentalist movement.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
@tedcruz/X
@tedcruz/X
@tedcruz/X