Is There a Demonic “Spirit of Groaning”?

IS THERE A DEMONIC “SPIRIT OF GROANING”? – Eric C. Wheeler

Recently a pastor, along with three of his friends, came over to where I and another brother in the Lord were staying and accused me of being demon-possessed. He claimed that I had three demons, which he then proceeded to describe and call by name. Where he got their individual names, I have no idea. The Bible doesn’t mention any demons by name, except for one called ‘Legion’ whom even our Lord Jesus didn’t know – because Jesus needed to ask the demon for his name (Mark 5:9; Luke 8:30). Anyhow, this pastor called the first demon whom he claimed to be in me, “Alpha Prophet.” The second one he described as “the spirit of loneliness” which I think he called Voltron. Seriously! And the third demon he referred to as being “the spirit of groaning” which I don’t think he named. It’s this so-called “spirit of groaning” that I would like to address here.

Where and how a supposedly Bible-educated pastor comes up with and supports the idea of there existing an unclean “spirit of groaning” is beyond me. The Bible never mentions nor ascribes anything regarding “groaning or groans” to any demonic source whatsoever. In fact, it’s very much the opposite! The Bible, in every instance and reference that I could find, describes “groaning and groans” as indicative of having and possessing the Holy Spirit, and of being persecuted for being the people and/or a person of God. Notice all of these verses (and this is not all of them by any means!):

“Now it happened after a long time, that the king of Egypt died. And the children of Israel groaned and sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out. And their cry for help because of their bondage ascended to God.” (Exod. 2:23)

“And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” (Exod. 2:24)

“And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered My covenant.” (Exod. 6:5)

“The Lord was moved with compassion by their groaning that had been caused by those who were oppressing and persecuting them.” (Judges 2:18)

“Lord, listen to my words, consider my groaning.” (Psa. 5:1)

“I am weary with my groaning; all the night I make my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.” (Psa. 6:6)

“’Because of the oppression of the afflicted and the groaning of the poor, I will now rise up,’ says the Lord. ‘I will put the one who longs for it in a safe place.” (Psa. 12:5)

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?” (Psa. 22:1)

“Indeed, my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my strength has failed…” (Psa. 31:10)

“Lord, all my desire is before You; and my groaning is not hidden from You.” (Psa. 38:9)

“You have said, ‘Woe is me, because the Lord has added misery to my pain! I am worn out with groaning and have found no rest.’” (Jer. 45:3)

“And the Lord said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who are sighing and who are groaning over all the abominations that are done in its midst.’” (Ezek. 9:4)

“And now, son of man, you are to start groaning until you are sick to your stomach. You are to groan bitterly right in front of them. And when they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ Then say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will become weak. Every spirit will be discouraged, and every knee will turn to water. Yes, it is coming, and it will happen.’ This is the declaration of the Lord God.” (Ezek. 21:6-7)

“And groaning in His Spirit, Jesus says, ‘Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, a sign in no wise will be given to this generation.” (Mark 8:12)

“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)

“Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb.” (John 11:38)

“I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” (Acts 7:34)

“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. And not only they, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” (Rom. 8:22-23)

“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 groanings which cannot be uttered [articulated].” (Rom. 8:26)

“For in this [earthly tent] we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this [earthly] tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.” (II Cor. 5:2-4).

In all my research in the Bible, nowhere did I find any reference or allusion to any type of demon or unclean spirit causing groaning or named “Groaning.” Quite the contrary. Every reference that I found was of a person of God or the people of God groaning because of the HOLY SPIRIT and the suffering they were enduring for having Him in their lives. Where is this so-called “biblical” pastor getting this stuff? I sincerely welcome this pastor (or any pastor out there who reads this) to come forth and explain from the Bible this belief and position. I would even be happy to publish on this website (Sharing the Way) his comments and/or defense in this regard. Please step forward. (Send any reply to [email protected])

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