What do you think about "holy laughter" as a Christian?
What is the scriptural basis for this uncontrollable laughter resulting from being filled with the Holy Spirit and how does it match the "self-control" as a fruit of the Spirit as seen in Gal 5:22-23?
Thank you for taking the time to consider this post and to address the question.
S
As a Christian.........I like to think that God can manifest joy within us and it can be expressed in many ways.
My difficulty with the holy laughter, growling like lions ( I guess lions of judah???? lol )....and some of the rest of these things, is ........we have this display of the theatrical instead of teaching on the Grace of God, or things that mature a believer . They will argue their point from every angle with fellow believers, the same as orthodox Christians do with LDS , JW, and other pseudo christians.......some will convert to the real Jesus, some wont.
At the end of my life, do I want to say to the Lord.........Hey, I spent my weekends in uncontrollable laughter.........gee it was great.
or will I have appreciated my Salvation by Grace to the point that I want to go into the world and share it? I dont think there is a scriptural basis for theatrics of that nature in church.
I have seen people healed, and later proven so by MD's, I have seen people come forward and accept Christ and live a changed life, I have seen the results of money given go for medical care, clinics, and water wells for poor and suffering people. I have seen "light" come into darkened minds to discover how a real and loving God thinks the world of them, and sent Jesus to prove it. How can I find any greater joy than that?
No, I am not quite that holy, or righteous. .....I do daily aim for better
My difficulty with the holy laughter, growling like lions ( I guess lions of judah???? lol )....and some of the rest of these things, is ........we have this display of the theatrical instead of teaching on the Grace of God, or things that mature a believer . They will argue their point from every angle with fellow believers, the same as orthodox Christians do with LDS , JW, and other pseudo christians.......some will convert to the real Jesus, some wont.
At the end of my life, do I want to say to the Lord.........Hey, I spent my weekends in uncontrollable laughter.........gee it was great.
or will I have appreciated my Salvation by Grace to the point that I want to go into the world and share it? I dont think there is a scriptural basis for theatrics of that nature in church.
I have seen people healed, and later proven so by MD's, I have seen people come forward and accept Christ and live a changed life, I have seen the results of money given go for medical care, clinics, and water wells for poor and suffering people. I have seen "light" come into darkened minds to discover how a real and loving God thinks the world of them, and sent Jesus to prove it. How can I find any greater joy than that?
No, I am not quite that holy, or righteous. .....I do daily aim for better
The most convincing Scriptural argument against what is called "holy laughter" is found in Galatians 5:22-23. It says: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." If self-control is a fruit of the Spirit of God, how can uncontrollable laughter also be a fruit of His Spirit? Revival leaders claim that being "filled" with the Spirit means that we are sort of "tossed about" by His whims. But the idea that God would make people act drunk, or laugh uncontrollably, or make animal noises as a result of the Spirit's anointing is directly opposed to the way the Spirit acts, according to Galatians 5:22-23. The Spirit described in Galatians 5 is one that promotes self-control within us, not the opposite.
I have personally never seen "holy laughter" but i have seen those that have been slain in the spirit.
but the bible does talk about being filled with the joy of the Lord, David danced and his wife was ashamed at his behavior.
But I have experience an over filling of joy, smiling so big i felt stupid.
the point being is that, until the person experiences that themselves they might always have some type of doubt regarding it, as one should if they can prove it by the bible.
At the same time, one must remember when the Holy Spirit falls on a person depending on what manner it be, slain in the spirit (for who can stand in the presence of God) or the "holy laughter" who can contain such joy if the Lord fills you with it. The bible also talks about being drunk in the spirit.
There is also some that travail (mournful crying) so then why not laugh too?
Of course the best way is to study it out in the bible, and ask God for understanding, and he will surely give it.
God Bless
but the bible does talk about being filled with the joy of the Lord, David danced and his wife was ashamed at his behavior.
But I have experience an over filling of joy, smiling so big i felt stupid.
the point being is that, until the person experiences that themselves they might always have some type of doubt regarding it, as one should if they can prove it by the bible.
At the same time, one must remember when the Holy Spirit falls on a person depending on what manner it be, slain in the spirit (for who can stand in the presence of God) or the "holy laughter" who can contain such joy if the Lord fills you with it. The bible also talks about being drunk in the spirit.
There is also some that travail (mournful crying) so then why not laugh too?
Of course the best way is to study it out in the bible, and ask God for understanding, and he will surely give it.
God Bless
I have yet to find a scripture that supports holy laughter. It would appear to me that that would contradict Gal 5. We know God is not the author of confusion.
Also I saw someone posted that the bible supports being drunk in the Holy Spirit. Again I have not seen a scripture to support that. Unfortunately people have take some scriptures out of context and twisted them to attempt to support that. We are to rightly divide the Word. The bible clearly speaks against being drunk. It clearly states that we are to be sober. You can't be drunk and sober at the same time.
Romans 13:13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1 Corinthians 6:10
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
There is a difference in being drunk with wine (excess) and being filled with the Spirit. Notice it said nothing about being drunk in the Spirit. It says filled with the Spirit. God is a Spirit. God is Love. We are to be filled with Love.
You can't keep any commandments if you are not filled with His Spirit which is Love. You can't love God, Love your neighbor or love your enemy if you do not have charity (Love).
Also I saw someone posted that the bible supports being drunk in the Holy Spirit. Again I have not seen a scripture to support that. Unfortunately people have take some scriptures out of context and twisted them to attempt to support that. We are to rightly divide the Word. The bible clearly speaks against being drunk. It clearly states that we are to be sober. You can't be drunk and sober at the same time.
Romans 13:13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1 Corinthians 6:10
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
There is a difference in being drunk with wine (excess) and being filled with the Spirit. Notice it said nothing about being drunk in the Spirit. It says filled with the Spirit. God is a Spirit. God is Love. We are to be filled with Love.
You can't keep any commandments if you are not filled with His Spirit which is Love. You can't love God, Love your neighbor or love your enemy if you do not have charity (Love).
Personally I think it is digraceful that people would try to put on shows of such things which there is no Scriptural bases for and then claim it was HS when it does not glorify God or Jesus but makes people look like fools.
Holy Laughter is holy nonsense.
I never knew how chaos and snarlin and spittin glorified God.
((**Order in Church Meetings**))
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Read verse 40,LET ALL THINGS BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER:
When you go to a service and see everyone speaking in tongues without an interpreter,then your showing that your not edifying the church,only yourself.Our God is a God of order,and this holy clapping was and is not mentioned anywhere in the word of God,and the slaying of the spirit either,but most seem too think that they poses the Holy Spirit with out measure,and that my friend is wrong.If they are not doing it through the Holy Spirit of God,then what spirit is truly influencing them? Rather then obeying the word,excuses are made as to why it is done,or that we should not question the pastor or evangelist,but yet its okay to question the Word,because that is exactly what they do.
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Read verse 40,LET ALL THINGS BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER:
When you go to a service and see everyone speaking in tongues without an interpreter,then your showing that your not edifying the church,only yourself.Our God is a God of order,and this holy clapping was and is not mentioned anywhere in the word of God,and the slaying of the spirit either,but most seem too think that they poses the Holy Spirit with out measure,and that my friend is wrong.If they are not doing it through the Holy Spirit of God,then what spirit is truly influencing them? Rather then obeying the word,excuses are made as to why it is done,or that we should not question the pastor or evangelist,but yet its okay to question the Word,because that is exactly what they do.