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I know a man who, as a young teenager, endured a
violent outburst from his father. The incident had to do with a style shirt that
other teens were wearing. First, his dad told him not to buy the shirt and then,
after the young man showed up wearing it anyway, his father told him to take it
off. When the boy resisted his dad exploded, actually ripping the shirt while it
was still on the young man's body.
For whatever damage the violence did to the young man's psyche, there was a deeper
side effect. Later in life, my friend married and had his own children. As life
would have it, his oldest son wanted to wear a certain "hip-hopper" shirt, to which
my friend objected. Later that day his son tried to sneak out of the house wearing
the shirt but was caught. Just as his dad before him had done, my friend exploded
and, while the shirt was still on his son, he ripped it in several places.
A "Time Released" Curse
My friend was not an evil or violent man, but something
wrong, like a "time released curse," had been imparted to him 25 years previous.
This enraged behavioral pattern had incubated in his spirit until the right circumstances
arrived; then it repeated itself identically.
My friend was shocked by his unpremeditated action.
However, he was also amazed as he pondered the power and mystery of impartation.
His father's deed was a seed that, apart from my friend's conscious choice, bloomed
on its own in the garden of his life. It was true: the "sins of the fathers" are
"visited" upon the children.
Human Relationships: Channels
for Good or Evil
Of course, my friend's dad had imparted many good
things into his life as well. My point is that the principle of impartation shows
itself in a thousand ways during our lives. There are things we are doing and ideas
we defend, not because we thought them through, but purely because they were imparted
to us by others around us.
The fact is, the unfiltered human spirit is very
much like a sponge that absorbs into our soul the substance of the world around
us. Thus, scripture warns "bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Cor 15:33). I know
of too many kids who were raised in Christian homes who, for one reason or another,
became friends with kids who were sexually active or experimenting with drugs. Soon,
the morals of those children were quietly compromised. How? Through impartation.
Yet, God's word also promises "he who walks with
wise men will be wise" (Prov 13:20). There are those whom God has put in our lives,
whose influence inspires us to reach for the stars.
Divine Truth Creates Boundaries
The human soul must not become an "unwalled village"; we cannot exist spiritually
without guards and boundaries. Plainly, we need rules and standards of God's word;
divine truth creates a wall that keeps out the enemy. We must be selective and wise
in walking in this world for it is, in truth, a war zone.
It is also why Jesus warned, "Therefore take care
how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given" (Lk 8:18). Whatever
you intently focus upon and listen to, of that thing "shall more be given." What
we yield to in unfiltered openness in varying degrees conforms us to itself. Entertainment
"enters." Consider wisely, therefore, the next time you turn on the television or
select a movie to watch. Whether the impartation comes via the media, friends or
family, take heed what you allow into your spirit. For whatever you allow into you
through impartation, that reality shall more be given until you have an abundance.
He Who Receives a Righteous Man,
Receives
Yet, the good news is that impartation can be a wonderful
and positive influence in our lives. A life-giving church can fulfill and support
your spiritual journey. Prayer partners can stand before God with you and for you,
encouraging you by the holy and impartable influences of their faith. We can also
receive impartation from our pastors, mentors and Christian authors.
As a spiritual leader, my goal is not just to inform
you, but to conform you to Christ. This involves not only instruction, but impartation
as well. If you are reading a certain author that God is using right now in your
life, believe God for the best that ministry can supply. There's no reason you cannot
receive of the grace given to that person for you.
Jesus was specifically talking about the value of
godly impartation when He taught, "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives
Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet
shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name
of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward" (Matt 10:40-41).
Impartation through People
Of course, God may meet you sovereignly, and we should covet and pursue times alone
with the Holy Spirit, in prayer or study of God's word. But, often the Holy Spirit
will have something to impart to you through a righteous man or woman. You say,
"I don't need men, I have the Bible and a relationship with the Lord." The Bible
did not fall from heaven, untouched by human hands; it was written my men inspired
by God. Imagine if the early church shared that attitude! Of course, today there
is much deception in the church and we must each personally know the written word
of God. Impartation does not take the place of our personal relationship with our
Father. Simply, Jesus says that God will "reward" us just by our ability to "receive"
from those He sends.
Indeed, there is no limit to how much our spirits
can absorb from other leaders. Over the past weeks I have been preparing Level Two
materials for our In Christ's Image Training school. As I prayed and studied the
materials we received from international leaders in the body of Christ, a certain
awe rose in my heart as the Holy Spirit spoke through the contributors' tapes and
written materials. In no way was I making idols of men I know these individuals
and, just like you and me, they are in daily need of God's grace. But just as I
see grace covering their need, I also appreciate the grace that has worked in them
over years and through trials, unique expressions of the ministry of Christ. Each
of these leaders supplies, not merely teachings, but mandates from God that are
actually changing the world in which we live. God backs up these ministries and
flows through them to impart spiritual substance into our lives. Impartation is
most effective when we are not in awe of men, but in awe of God who uses men and
women to impart spiritual substance.
Moses and Joshua
The Bible supplies many examples of impartation:
Elijah and Elisha, Saul prophesying among the prophets and, of course, Jesus and
His disciples (1 Kings; 1 Sam 10:5-11; Jn 14:12). Consider the commissioning of
Joshua, the son of Nun. I'm sure he had his own walk with God. He didn't need Moses
in order to dwell in right relationship with the Almighty; Joshua was a man who
followed the Lord fully. Yet, we read,
"Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit
of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him . . ." (Deut 34:9).
The laying on of Moses' hands imparted the spirit
of wisdom to Joshua. Joshua, apart from Moses, possessed personal character; yet
through Moses' hands, God gave Joshua the "spirit of wisdom." Joshua received Moses
in the name of a prophet and received a prophet's reward.
Not only did Joshua receive by impartation, through
his unique ministry God would impart great faith to Israel. Consider what the Lord
told Moses, "Encourage [Joshua], for he shall cause Israel to inherit [the land]"
(Deut 1:38).
Joshua didn't just lead the Israelites, he would
cause them to inherit God's promises! I am struck by this verse. Just as
my friend's dad imparted something that caused him to temporarily fail, so there
are people God has given us whose faith, example and encouragement will "cause"
us to succeed. That individual may be your mentor, pastor or a leader in your church;
he may be a national leader whose messages seem perfectly timed for your needs.
Either way, God has placed people in your life whose influence will "cause" you
to inherit His promises! Beloved, even as you hold fast to Christ as your head,
may you also understand the gift and power of spiritual impartation.
by Francis Frangipane
http://www.frangipane.org
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http://www.elijahlist.com
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