Groanings in the spirit

[Goodbook]

Yesterday I walked home as the bus didn't come, so I had a chat with God about all the things that were going wrong in my neighbourhood and about the people living around me. I sent up some mighty prayers as I had some ideas of what God could do to stop all this evil and get them saved. I suppose this is called intercessory prayer.

Then our church had a prayer meeting the next day and last night I went to sleep when I felt the Holy Spirit in me start groaning. It wasn't me and it was weird, but I do remember having it before but not so prolonged, it was practically the whole night and it was so loud that my mum woke up came into my room and asked what was wrong! I didn't answer just let Him groan and was half asleep, this morning asked God what it was and the passage in Romans came to mind.

I don't know where to post this but just want to ask if anybody else had this experience and did you keep praying, what sorts of prayers did you pray and did God answer your prayers?

 

[Ark100]

How can someone groan in you, but it wasn't you, and it was so loud?

I'd be careful about that. When they say Holy Spirit groaning in the Bible, I don't think its talking about the kind of groaning you are experiencing

If God wants you to pray, I believe the Spirit will wake you up and put in your mind what to pray about, or better still just pray in tongues.

 

[Eyesee]

How can someone groan in you, but it wasn't you, and it was so loud?

I'd be careful about that. When they say Holy Spirit groaning in the Bible, I don't think its talking about the kind of groaning you are experiencing

If God wants you to pray, I believe the Spirit will wake you up and put in your mind what to pray about, or better still just pray in tongues.

I agree with Ark. The Holy Spirit doesn't just "do things" by Himself. I'd really be careful here -- you need to ask for discernment. Please read 1st Corinthians 14 prayerfully... the spirit of the prophet is SUBJECT TO the prophet...

 

[Goodbook]

I did and God pointed me to that passage. (Romans 8:26-27) The Holy Spirit does things through me but of course I've invited him in to dwell in my body because I am under His control. The manifestations are a bit strange but they aren't painful. Like the Holy Spirit does things in me like weeping and laughing, as well as speaking in tongues. Always when I've been praying a lot, because He knows better than I do what to pray according to God's will. Jesus did say he would send me a helper, I'm sure it's the Holy Spirit helping me pray. I don't see prayer as a performance in front of others like some churches do by rote. And I'm not doing it in church, so that passage isn't relevant as it is talking about when people meet together. I was praying on my own. We are to pray without ceasing, so I also don't agree with the idea that 'if God wants you to pray'. We can tell him anything -prayer is a way of life!

What then, ark100 is the groaning that Paul is talking about according to your own ideas?

 

[ChrisHolland619]

The Bible never mentions the Holy Spirit physically doing something through your body. The Spirit influences and guides your mind, not causes seizures in the night, good grief.

Methinks you need to get that checked out.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26 KJV)

That means the Spirit understands OUR problems without us uttering them, ie silent prayer.

 

[Goodbook]

oh ok, so I just go to the doctor, and ask the Holy Spirit to stop praying for me. Right.
I did not say he causes seizures.

hmm, I might just go to another forum to get a second opinion.
You see, the Bible does say the The Holy Spirit does things to people's bodies. The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead! The Spirit strengthened Samson. The Holy
spirit moved the prophets to speak. The Holy Spirit made people whole, healing peoples bodies. If the Holy Spirit did no work in our bodies, then our faith is futile and Jesus died in vain. You are leaving a huge part of the Bible out if you are claiming that the Holy Spirit is only an influence.

 

[achristian2]

oh ok, so I just go to the doctor, and ask the Holy Spirit to stop praying for me. Right.
I did not say he causes seizures.

hmm, I might just go to another forum to get a second opinion.
You see, the Bible does say the The Holy Spirit does things to people's bodies. The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead! The Spirit strengthened Samson. The Holy
spirit moved the prophets to speak. The Holy Spirit made people whole, healing peoples bodies. If the Holy Spirit did no work in our bodies, then our faith is futile and Jesus died in vain. You are leaving a huge part of the Bible out if you are claiming that the Holy Spirit is only an influence.

People who have witness others groaning in the spirit or who have groaned themselves have said before that the groanings can be heard, its just that no words are formed. I've groaned before too (it can be heard but no words are formed). However, the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. So, you can choose not to groan (including the loudness of it) if you want to although there's a great need to want to groan etc. We groan at times because we do not know what to pray, so the Holy Spirit prays for us. If you cannot stop the groaning, then its certainly not from the Holy Spirit. I can't say in your case whether yours is truly from the Holy Spirit or not.

I'm sure there are others who have groaned before, its just whether they see this thread and want to reply.

 

[ChrisHolland619]

There is absolutely no Biblical foundation as to what you two are saying.

 

[The Fire Rises]

There is absolutely no Biblical foundation as to what you two are saying.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Granted, I'm not pretending to be some biblical scholar. But this just doesn't seem credible to me.

OP, I'm not doubting that you certainly heard something. But to automatically assume that it was the Holy Spirit...? Not so sure about that.

These "spiritual encounters" are obviously strange to the vast majority of people, since most people never experience them. I'm not saying they're not real, cause I'm sure they are. But it's hard for us to relate to your story when
A) We weren't there
B) We've never experienced anything like you're descibing
C) People claim to have 'spiritual encounters' all the time in the media and such, and often turn out to be attempts to gain money and/or notoriety

So I'm not sure an online forum is the best place to seek advice on this, sorry. I'd advise maybe talking to some fellow christians in your life, church leaders, etc.

 

[paul1149]

We have a lot of latitude in the Holy Spirit, and He in us. It seems to me that this is a manifestation of exactly what Paul speaks of in Romans 8.

But I would be sure to balance it off with a corresponding verse - the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. Even in the dynamic gifts of the spirit we are cautioned not to let things get out of hand. God wants us in control, operating in our kingdom authority. This gives the Holy Spirit room to work, but also protects us from going off into error.

 

[Ark100]

OP, I got the feeling instantly that what you were experiencing was not the Holy Spirit. Take it to God in prayer.
The enemy can appear as angel of light. Discernment is needed. Not everything that sounds or feels like it is really IT.

I really don't think the Holy Spirit will groan in you all night. Up to the point that your mom will wake up. even the Holy Spirit can and does allow us to give Him control. He just doesn't go off and do things.The spiritual world needs permission in the physical world to operate. Even though they are higher power, but that is how its been set.

In regards to your note about prayers. Prayers are very important. You don't just leave it to the Holy Spirit to do it for you. You open your mouth and Bind, Loose, command, release, break, invite, and so on and so forth in the name of Jesus. That is when the Holy Spirit takes control.

Nothing wrong with churches who pray a lot. Intercessory prayer is not just expecting the Holy Spirit to pray for you. Intercessors are prayer warriors. They move Heavens with their prayers when they reach out to God, in whatever way.

Of course Holy Spirit does things to people's bodies. Holy Spirit heals, He raises, He delivers, He sets free, He empowers etc, but having said that. Something has to have been said, asked, requested and prayed about before these things come about.

I still dont feel comfortable with your groaning all night. I doubt its the Holy Spirit. I may be wrong, but that is just how I feel.

There are truly times we are short of words when we pray. We pray so much, we cry, we weep, we worship, we praise, we just let loose and then we are spent, we don't know what to say anymore, AND the LORD still wants to do something, that we don;t know, something that needed to be asked for. This is when I believe the Holy Spirit takes control and intercedes/groans on our behalf.

That is the groaning of the Holy Spirit that I believe is being talked about in the Bible. I don't think its a groaning that wakes others up in the middle of the night, and which goes on all night.

If you really know the role of intercessors you would know and understand that God can indeed at anytime speak to their heart, mind or wake them up anytime of the day or night to pray, even if they don't know what they are to pray about.

This is not just intercessors, even regular people who are close to God.

 

[achristian2]

There is absolutely no Biblical foundation as to what you two are saying.

Base on your OWN interpretation of the bible. Just like some people believe tongues have ceased while others believe tongues are still in existence. I've gone through and seen enough of how this type of things can escalate into arguements/debates, so I rather bow out of the thread. Rather spend my time sharing the gospel and so on. Just wanted Goodbook to know that groanings can be heard too (although I guess some groaning are inaudibloe). Maybe the people who have posted here so far feel that it cannot be heard. However, there are places where people feel that it can be heard.

 

[Goodbook]

Thanks a christian2 for your encouragement and confirmation.

When the Holy Spirit groans through me yes I can sort of control it but I like to release whatever He wants to express, only surprised that the groanings woke mum up, but I will ask if He can be a bit quieter next time.
He usually does this when I'm in bed which is good I am resting, no way do I make a scene in church. This usually happens after I've spent a lot of time in prayer during the day and before I go to bed. It doesn't happen all the time, sometimes just it's quiet groanings, but I think it was unusual because I prayed more that day.

Definitely is the Holy Spirit, no question there. Remember I asked God about it and He immediatley brought those verses came to mind, even my devotional for that day had that passage.

Yes, sadly I've come across some christians who insist tongues are not from the Holy Spirit, that they have ceased...I just think if they are ignorant, let them be ignorant. I don't want to debate.

 

[Ark100]

You will find the groaning mostly to be you hearing yourself in your sleep or some unholy spirit trying to make a way in etc/ Groaning is NOT speaking in tongues. Be wary of 'ALL NIGHT' groaning. I dont know one single person who has ever experienced what you are talking about in the bible.
Rather than groan, pray in tongues or open your mouth and pray

 

[Goodbook]

Oh dear. ark100, I'm sorry but you keep insisting you are right all the time and to be honest with you I am not sure why you seem to be thinking you are the authority in all spiritual matters on this forum. There are millions of christians on this earth and I'm sorry but you are not God and do not know each and every single one.

I never said groaning was speaking in tongues. achristian2 said it was LIKE speaking in tongues. I agree. And if you look in your bible you will find many times Jesus groaned in his spirit, especially one incident I can think of is when Lazarus died, and he also at times would spend all night in prayer. As did Anna in the gospels, who spent all night in prayer and fasting at the temple. So please, let the Holy Spirit move, we can't dictate to Him, as Paul writes 'Do not quench the Holy Spirit'.

 

[Ark100]

Oh miss goodbook i actually dont think i have authority over every matter, nor am i right in all matters. I also never said I was God. Oh hey, im under God's authority however.
if I have a feeling whether good or bad, I will say it.
You have every right to your thoughts ideals and whatever it is that is going on in your head about other people.
It doesnt bother me one bit. Everything i said on your thread is for your own good.< Staff Edit >
Jesus NEVER groaned all night anywhere in the Bible. JESUS PRAYED . He opened His mouth and prayed.

Check that groaning out, I doubt its the Holy Spirit. Its better you are safe than sorry. Dont allow unholy spirit feast on you.

 

[achristian2]

. achristian2 said it was LIKE speaking in tongues. I agree.

Ok, this is not what I said if I understand goodbook correctly. I'm just saying that some people believe speaking in tongues have ceased while others believe it still exist and how this difference of beliefs can escalate into arguements/debates. So is it with groanings. Some believe groanings can be heard while others believe it can't be heard and the difference in beliefs can also escalate into arguements/debates.

Goodbook, 1 thing I want to caution you on is that the devil can use scriptures/bring to mind scriptures to make us think its God. Remember Jesus's temptation in the desert. The devil used scriptures too, so our knowledge of the bible has to be good so that we know whether the devil has twisted scriptures. Jesus fought back with tscripture (God's word is the sword of the spirit--look at Ephesians 6:17.)

 

[Goodbook]

achristian2 What makes you think it's the devil? Scripture cannot be broken and I read the whole Bible. Jesus groaned in his Spirit, I did not say he groaned the whole night, I did not say I groaned the whole night, but the Holy Spirit was groaning through me at night, and seemed to last the whole night. I don't know, I feel asleep.

ark100 Please stop trying to twist what I say. If you don't believe the word of God in the Bible that Jesus groaned in his spirit, then I don't know what Bible you are reading or which Jesus you worship. The Jesus I know has compassion for his friends and the lost. Yes Jesus prayed all night in the Bible too. Two separate things as remembered in the gospels. Look, you seem to be jumping on the fact that it happened at night and it lasted a long time.

I did not 'burn all my black clothes' ark100, actually, you were the one who suggested that idea. You can stop right this minute slandering me and spreading lies. I gave them away as I was being obedient to the LORD. I did not at any time imply anything about skin colour. My own hair is black you think I would burn my hair? I remember you laughed at me and how you mocked me calling me a child on this forum. If this is the way you treat people, 'for their own good' I am at loss for words.

I am always careful to test the spirits. And yes, I know what it's like to have an unclean, or deceitful spirit in me, before I was saved.

Lets see, I ask God the father through Jesus his son for the Holy Spirit, he gives me an unholy spirit. Why would He do that? When I ask for a fish, does he give me a stone? No, my Father loves me and the Holy Spirit is gentle but he is also powerful, I have learned what a blessing it is that He dwells in me, and that I can share in his pain and sorrow for the lost. Yes it is unusual but it is not unholy.

I was talking with my sister in Christ today and she did confirm about the groaning, that it is the Holy Spirit working in me, because I myself do not make it up. She said that the same when she is prophesying God will give her the words to say, we don't prophesy with our own ideas. We cannot make ourselves groan. We each have different manifestations, that Jesus said, about our keeping his commandments that he said I myself with manifest myself to him. (see John 14:21) She has a vivid dream and woken up at 2am...that same Wednesday night, certainly God has got our attention!

As for the black clothes lol...it makes people happy to see me wearing colour and many comments from women who are lamenting their black, drab wardrobes. And funny thing is people say I am brave. I get a lot of praise but all the glory goes to God who gave me the idea!

 

[Ark100]

You still have no clue.
And no, i am not spreading lies about you. You sounded extremely ridiculous and your post about the black clothes was laughable.
You said you wanted to cloth yourself in white lilly robes. Who says things like that? Well maybe little kids.

I dont care to be honest. I leave you to your issues.

Im out of your thread. Cant be bothered anymore.

You just dont get it. Gooduck

 

[ChrisHolland619]

Op isn't willing to listen to biblical backing refuting his claim. Funny.