Holman Bible dictionary defines the LAYING ON OF HANDS as “A ritual act wherein hands are placed on a person or animal in order to establish some spiritual communion.” My note: This is Biblically done to
transfer something from one living being to another whether it be sin, blessing, appointment, healing, or gifts of the Spirit.
When doing this, it’s vitally important to consider:
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ON WHOM are the hands being laid?
BY WHOM are the hands being laid?
FOR WHAT REASON are the hands being laid?
CAUTION
There is, however, great need for wisdom to be exercised in ministering through the laying on of hands. Paul exhorted us to lay hands suddenly on no man.
1 Timothy 5: 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man. Why is this? It’s because people too often trust in their own understanding, their own spirit in the way they are led, rather than looking for inspiration from the Holy Spirit.
In all things, particularly the Gifts of the Spirit, and specifically the laying on of hands, we MUST be led by the Holy Spirit. If the will of God is that you lay hands on someone, then you must be obedient. But be sure that you practice your gifts in subjection to the Holy Spirit, because it is the Holy Spirit that imparts the healing, that imparts the gifts of the Spirit, the authority or the Spiritual blessing. Without the Holy Spirit, the healing will not happen and someone’s faith might be destroyed – as is so often the case in the “Faith” Ministries where if someone is not healed, they are accused of not having enough faith!
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In practice, I’ve noticed that timing is everything. Long before the “laying on of hands” point in time, the Holy Spirit will have worked in the hearts of all involved, sometimes for years, preparing them for that moment. Much can go wrong if the “on whom” person isn’t ready or if the “by whom” person has been led into presumption or deceived.
2 Cor 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached,
or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
False spirits can take advantage of one’s misunderstanding or ignorance of the purpose and role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thus the contemporary testimony of false tongues and kundalini impartations usually driven by social pressure within the church vice a true prompting from God.
On the other hand, I believe mercy and grace are in effect as follow-up testimonies show that God is faithful to correct those that seek Him. For instance, God’s Spirit will enable somebody with false tongues to recognize this fact, repent, renounce, and have that spirit removed.
One of the best series of sermons I’ve heard was on just the Holy Spirit, who He is, what His mission is, and how He works…all strictly derived from scripture.