I am reading a book right now Bible4life by Art Katz called "The Anatomy of Deception." Art is probably one of the most unique individuals to grace the body of Christ as a teacher in the last few decades. He lived a very interesting life in ministry and actually rubbed elbows, it seems, with a lot of the high profile charismatics of the 70's 80's and so on. Having been pretty involved with the charismatic movement for a few years of his life he saw what a sham a lot of it was. Art had a very interesting way of whittling away at the issue you are asking about, and is far better at the analysis of the problem as you are asking, than I would be.
I have a hard time speaking directly about a lot of those types of issues as I have never really been around them. I can say irrevocably that "holy laughter," "Spirit dancing," and a lot of those types of things are not even gifts or biblical manifestations of the Spirit as is revealed in the Word. However, prior to Jesus on the scene, I cannot recall (though I could be wrong) of anything in the old testament indicating anything to do with demon possession. So Christ himself manifested the power of God in such a way as to radically shock even the people of his day. I do know that there were Jewish sages that specialized in demon exorcism, but the practice was highly mystical and very suspect. The issue always before us is...is sin being dealt with, and are people being restored to fellowship from a sinful stance...toward a deep intimate walk with Christ, as God intended from the very beginning of scripture? And is it a walk in the "cool of the day?" Implying that there is a simplicity, and a peaceableness to that walk, as one of fellowship that one would have with a friend or family member.
You are actually asking a huge question to which I could type more pages than I deserve to be paid attn to. But I will say that I think most of these manifestations are upside down.
What I mean by that is that Jesus said he was going to send the Comforter into the world to convict it of 1.) Sin 2.) Righteousness 3.) Judgment. He did not say that he was going to send the Comforter/Spirit into the world to heal the deaf, blind, leprous, raise the dead, heal the sick, or any of those things. We see in the book of Acts that they do happen quite frequently as manifestations of the power of God. But I guarantee you one thing. These miraculous signs were only under-girding, or supporting a church that was walking DYNAMICALLY in the fundamental purpose of the Spirit of God. Sin, Righteousness, and the Judgment of God were following, and preceding the Apostles wherever they went. Whatever they were doing they were explosive in their responsiveness to these convictions. I believe, that most people today, (And I could be wrong) seek the miraculous and the manifestation apart from the fundamental convictions of the Spirit...and that is what a lieing sign or wonder is...a sign that does not bring these issues to bear with full heavenly force.
So when I say they are upside down, that is what I mean, signs without dealing with sin, raucousness without leading toward righteousness, vain jangling without the judgments of God being brought to the fore...
You can get Art's Book [url=http://artkatzministries.org/online_bookstore/]here[/url] if you are interested. Like I said, he had far more direct experience to answer your questions, and gets to the core issue of the questions you ask. He goes in depth asking the questions about what the nature and purpose of religious deception is, and deals quite a few death blows to a lot of the stuff you are talking about. But because of the fact that he was so involved with all that kind of stuff he is able to speak with an air of authority that a lot of people are only able to talk about kind of from a theoretical standpoint.
Here is one of the great quotes from the book to give you a sense of his tenor.
"We are at such a dangerous point that some consider the Christian entertainment industry as the "sixth" of the five-fold ministries. We need to understand what entertainment is. It is sensationalism; it fills the void of boredom and emptiness; it is a pleasing diversion from the demanding things that are real and actual, and which deserve our attention. The Church is called by God to be the "pillar and support of truth." If we are escapists, if we feel a need to be diverted, or if we cannot take the realities that constitute our life and our relationship together in this present world, to whom then would we turn? Who is to help us face those realities and to bring God's redemptive answer? Amuse means to negate thinking and contemplation. In fact, the original meaning of the word is to divert the attention in order to deceive. On the other hand, to muse is to reflect and to contemplate."
I hope this helps a bit, if not, sorry. I am far from a scholar or experienced. Read the word, pray. Ask God for wisdom, don't hedge your bets when he gives it to you, and compare all experience to the word of God. Lest we find ourselves more enamored with Jannes and Jambres than we are with God as He is.
-Jeremiah
