Don’t Be Quick To Lay Hands

Hello brothers and sisters and Heartdwellers family.

There was another issue the kept presenting itself during our prayer meetings. When we would ask the attendants of the meeting to come and lay hands and pray for one another, many were reluctant and didn’t feel comfortable doing it. Rather they just raised their hands in the air or prayed to themselves for their fellow brother or sister.

In order not to cause any scandal, I didn’t force anyone to do anything they were uncomfortable with. But I found it a bit strange, and finally asked why no-one was laying hands on the person we were praying for – and was told it was because of the scripture in 1 Timothy 5:22 that saysdo not be quick to lay hands.

The scripture says: “Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins. Keep thyself pure.”

In another meeting, some feared having the sins of another being transferred to them when they touched them in prayer. I was perplexed by these ideas that they had and burdened by the fear they carried which I know would hinder them from stepping out to love on others and even pray for others; which is the purpose of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is given to us to be used to minister to one another, believers and unbelievers alike.

I had met other Christians earlier in my walk with Jesus, who also had this same idea when I would go to evangelize and pray for people. One lady whom I met was in ministry and an evangelist. I invited her to a dinner with a Pastor of mine who was a dear friend. After the dinner I asked to pray for both of them. The pastor allowed me to lay hands and pray for him. However; she said I could pray for her but couldn’t touch her, because it was only her Pastor who could lay hands on her.

I was taken a bit back by that. And with these instances during our meetings, brought up those memories, as I explained to them the scripture as to break down this stronghold of fear they had built in their minds, by wrong teaching.

1 Timothy 5:22 (this is the Amplified version) –

Do not hurry to lay hands on anyone [ordaining and approving someone for ministry or an office in the church, or in reinstating expelled offenders], thereby sharing the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

Now the Amplified version rather expounds on this scripture, which is not warning Christians to be cautious in laying hands and praying for one another; rather it is towards those in leadership and ministry. Timothy is providing caution to all leaders in ministry to not be quick to lay hands on someone to ordain them for ministry, or give any type of impartation. All through scripture; blessings, anointing, mantles and impartations of the Holy Spirit were passed down through laying of hands – and he is saying don’t be quick to do that. He is encouraging those in the Church leadership to be careful and discerning when doing that.

Rather, in James 5:14-15, it actually encourages believers to lay hands and pray for one another if anyone among them is sick. Anointing them with oil and they will be healed

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the Church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

And yes, it says the Church Elders – but all believers carry the presence of the Holy Spirit.

So there is much power in laying hands on one another and praying for each other rather than walking in fear. Jesus’s most common practice in healing is touch, often described as “laying his hands on” the one to be healed all through Matthew, Mark and Luke. Touch is a form of love, compassion and care so if you desire to show someone’s Gods love with the purest intention do not be afraid to touch them, to lay hands on them praying for them

The second concern brought up was, can sin be transferred by laying on of hands as one attendee’s in the meeting asked if a minister or pastor she knew who was conceited because of the gifts God had given them wanted to lay hands and pray for her could that pride and vanity pass on to her?

The answer is no, Sin is not transferred by laying on of hands or my goodness we all would be in a mess. Sin come out from the heart of man and we are all accountable for our own sin no anyone else’s

James 1:14-16 New King James Version

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death

However there are times you may lay hands on someone and began to feel or have a sense of what they are struggling with by the spirit. Its happened to me a couple times where I can get done praying for someone as I laid hands and began to feel a strong spirit of lust overcome me. Then I knew that is what they were struggling with so I began to pray for them and bind that spirit off of me.

In all of these things the Lord is our best example and we are called to imitate him in His ways. Jesus laid hand on people to bring healing, to bring relief, to bring deliverance and to bring blessings just as he did when he saw the little children in Matthew

So we can do the same. We must remember as Christians that perfect love cast out fear. When I too was faced with some of these thoughts as a new believer but passionately desiring people to know Gods love these very fears popped up because I had heard them and the Holy Spirit brought that Scripture to my mind. That if I did all my actions, every motive and intent to minister to people was out of love of God and love for them then it would cast out every fear in my heart and mind and it did. So that now I can love freely, pray freely for people and lay hands without fear knowing that I am doing it all from a motive of love.

So let your fears go, step out in faith, reach out to touch the suffering, the sick and a fellow brother or sister who needs encouragement by your prayers.

God bless you family, until the next message.