GENUINE HOLY SPIRIT GROANING PRODUCES GOOD FRUIT

  “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For  we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.”—Romans 8:26

 

The Scripture tells us that Jesus was friends with Lazarus and his sister, Mary and Martha.  In fact, Jesus spent times with them in their home and eating with them.  However, Jesus was in another town when word reached Him that Lazarus was sick and that his sister’s wanted Him to come and see their brother.  When Jesus arrived Mary came out to meet him, she fell down at his feet crying and saying that her brother would not have died if He had been there.  Then we read a most amazing statement, “Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled” (John 11:33 emphasis added).  The word “groaned” as translated here expresses that Jesus was deeply moved, but not necessarily with sorrow.  It was more of a groan of anger at Satan who had caused all the grief and sorrow that He was seeing around Him.  Jesus came to,  “…destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14), and He was grieved to see the pain His enemy had inflicted on those He loved.

 

This is the type of groaning that the Holy Spirit does for us that Paul wrote about in Romans 8:26.  It is not just the Holy Spirit sympathizing with us, but it is the Holy Spirit doing battle for us when we do not know how to pray.  In the case of Lazarus, the Holy Spirit used Jesus to do battle against death and for Lazarus to be released from the grave.

 

Everyone who has the Holy Spirit in them either has, or will have this experience.  The groaning of the Holy Spirit is not just grief but righteous anger and resistance against Satan’s devices in our lives.  Many times Christians do not discern this because they think that they are just grieved over their situation, but the Holy Spirit is moving them into intercession with Him against their common enemy, Satan.

 

Although the groaning of the Holy Spirit inside of you is not uttered, you can react to it with audible groans or physical movement of some kind, like someone who is grieving.  There is nothing wrong with this as long as you do not confuse your reaction with the Holy Spirit’s action.  Notice in Romans 8:26 that you are responding to the Holy Spirit’s silent groaning inside of you.  “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered”. 

 

The genuine groaning in the Spirit is priceless and always produces good fruit in your life, so when this happens, just flow with the Holy Spirit. 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for the Holy Spirit in my life.  Together Lord, we are doing big business with you—kingdom business, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

 

YOU ARE THE WINNER IN A SPIRITUAL WRESTLING MATCH

“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”—Jude 1:3

 

In 1 Samuel 17, we are given a picture of an individual who dealt with someone who was much larger physically and more experience in battle.  However David, a teenager, under took such a fight to contend against the giant who had defied the armies of the living God.  David's short battle with Goliath was more than a fight between Israel and the Philistines.  It was a defense of Jehovah's name against those who doubted His supremacy.  As David pointed out, the only way a boy with a sling could defeat a giant warrior like Goliath was by the Lord's hand.  And that's exactly what happened.

In confronting Goliath, David showed real courage and faith. But we see that what drove him to face the giant was righteous indignation: "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" (1 Sam. 17:26).  David believed that someone had to wipe away from Israel the reproach caused by Goliath's insults.  Since no one else would step forward, he volunteered to defend Yahweh's name.

 

Modern audiences often read this story merely as a battle scene wherein an inexperienced underdog toppled an ancient superhero.  We comfort ourselves that we will probably never have to deal with such a scenario.  But the real story is that David stood up for God.  Given how our culture scoffs at both the Father and Jesus Christ, believers will certainly spend some time in David's sandals.  The question is whether we will turn and run or stand and fight in God's name.

 

The book of Jude reminds us that when apostasy (the refusal to accept religious beliefs anymore), arises that we are to fight, to contend, to do battle.  We, like David, are to contend for the faith when false teachers emerge and when the truth of God is attacked.  The danger is as real today as it was in Jude’s day.  False teachers have crept into the church, turning God’s grace into unbounded license to do as they please.  Jude reminds people of God’s past dealing with unbelieving Israel, disobedient angels, and wicked Sodom and Gomorrah.  In the face of such danger Christians, should not be caught off guard. 

 

When Jude exhorted the believers to, “contend earnestly for the faith…,” the word “earnestly” is only used here in the whole of the New Testament.  Although there are similar words to it in the New Testament, but the exact word translated “earnestly” is only found in this verse (v. 3).  Jude is telling us that we must actively participate in a spiritual wrestling match.  This is something that we must stand up and take a stand for; just like David did.  It is the duty, the calling, the responsibility of those who are the called, the beloved, and kept for Jesus Christ.  Jude is writing to those people saying, “I’m writing YOU—you called, you beloved, you kept and I am telling you that you need to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all deliver to the saints (v. 1).    

 

You don't need a theology degree to combat those who would mock God.  I exhort you to purpose in your heart not to run from those who would mock God and call evil good and good evil.  Stand firm in your faith knowing that God is on your side and He has given you His Word.   Your "smooth stones" are the truths you have pulled from the Bible.  No enemy can win an argument against scripture.  Remember when someone may challenge God’s Word that: GOD’S WORD CAN WITHSTAND RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT. 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You are standing with me as I purpose in my heart to stand and contend for my faith.  I ask for Your wisdom and determination to stand firm in my faith regardless of others beliefs and arguments.  Help me to express Your love and compassion in the face of trouble and conflict, in Jesus Name’.  Amen.