Why does this teaching matter?
David Wilkerson, the faithful street preacher and founder of Times Square Church, was one of the most prominent voices warning against the Toronto Blessing. He recognized that genuine revival always produces deep conviction of sin, tears of repentance, and trembling before God's holiness. The Toronto Blessing, by contrast, produced laughter, entertainment, and emotional excitement without genuine brokenness. Wilkerson rightly identified this as flesh — not Spirit.
What did David Wilkerson teach?
"I have a problem when there are no tears, when there is no brokenness, when there is no conviction — just this sensational, emotional hysteria. This is not revival — this is flesh!"
Speaker: David Wilkerson
Source: David Wilkerson, 'Beware of the Enemies Within' — Times Square Church newsletter, 1994
What does Scripture confirm?
Joel 2:12-13
"'Now, therefore,' says the LORD, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.' So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God."
— NKJV
True repentance involves torn hearts, fasting, weeping, and mourning — not 'holy laughter.' God calls His people to tear their hearts, not to roll around on the floor in uncontrollable laughter. Wilkerson understood this.
2 Corinthians 7:10
"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."
— NKJV
Godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation. The Toronto movement did not produce godly sorrow but rather an emotional experience lacking biblical conviction of sin. Wilkerson's critique was correct: without tears and brokenness there is no true revival.
Psalm 51:17
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise."
— NKJV
The sacrifice God desires is a broken heart. Not laughter, not entertainment, not 'manifestations' — but genuine repentance and humility before the Holy God. The Toronto movement offered experiences; God seeks brokenness.
Isaiah 66:2
"But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."
— NKJV
God looks to the one who TREMBLES at His word — not the one who laughs uncontrollably and imitates animal sounds. This verse summarizes the difference between true revival and the Toronto movement: trembling at God's word versus emotional hysteria.