*Zion*

Ok Willie T, at the risk of sounding really patronising (runs and hides): There is the spiritual realm and then there is the temporary physical realm that we live in. But we that are born again are spiritual beings that dwell pitiful in vessels of flesh (pitiful since the fall of man). Which means that many of the things we think say and do are from a spiritual source: Romans 8 New King James Version (NKJV) 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [d]through His Spirit who dwells in you. So this is what I mean by 'spiritual'. Things pertaining to our spirit, particularly in the leading of the Holy Spirit. Not paranormal or any mumbo jumbo nonsense like that. I hope this clears things up a bit

I really don't see how I could be plainer oh well. Forgive me. I tried.

Is it bad, spiritually speaking? If so, why? Not merely from a perception point of view. Sigh. Maybe only I know what I mean

I want to know whether a woman laying hands on a man has negative spiritual consequences, and vice versa, or not. That is all.

No apologies, brother. I have been very guilty of derailing other threads in the past on here, by exploring other tangents. Just ask Noobers, lol. There is so much in God's Word, and it does effect all of everything. It created all of everything, so no surprises there. In fact, that's kind of what I was after. How the spiritual consequences of laying on of hands in prayer directly affects us, especially in the situation I posed in my original post. In short, what would the physical manifestation of it be?

Would it help if I said I wanted to focus on the spiritual effects of a woman laying hands on a man and vice versa, or its spiritual significance/consequence?

Amen, come Lord Jesus.

No defensiveness, but I have a phobia of lack of clarity. That's what I was trying to avoid. Forgive me if I have come across too sharp.

He doesn't want to listen. That is why I have left him to God. It really may be that he's just a nice guy with a bad sense of humour who just loves praying for women in particular. It really is possible. Probable? I don't know. Not my place to say, but again, the power of first impressions is significant. I haven't tried to expose anything, you don't know his name or anything else about him. Should I have not mentioned that such a man exists? I think it's pertinent to know that he does. But that's just me.

I prayed until I felt a spiritual release. I left it with the Lord in faith. I brought it up in this post to provide context, not to gossip. I've seen what gossip does, it's not pretty.

Steven, this isn't a recent occurrence. I have actually talked to him about his behaviour; he doesn't see anything offensive about it. Our pastor deals with it by lobbying lots of passive aggressive jokes at him, to no avail. To be honest, i have left this man to God, and while his behaviour may still irk me, it wasn't the main factor i considered while making my original post. I wanted to approach this from a purely spiritual perspective, but after what has been said in response, I don't know if there is a way to do that.

I agree, it's just the appearance of evil that everyone perceives from him. I really hope it is a misjudgment on our part. Unfortunately, first impressions do tend to stick, but again, God knows the heart.

He has never come near me, it's the unbelievers that he evanglises to that get the brunt. Even after he got married. This may be a matter of deliverance, not just general prayer.

Our pastor knows about it, I have no idea if he's talking to him about it or not. All I know is that he's not part of the ministering team at church, these prayer times happen apparently as a result of personal evangelism :S creepier than in a church setting, if you ask me. He's married and everything. Smh.

This is the problem I have with the guy that I mentioned that goes to my church. I guess it is less a spiritual thing than it is an 'appearance of evil' thing after all

In response, I'd like to think I'd obey the command rather than try to save my own hide. Obedience is better than sacrifice. The enemy can use a whole host of tricks to make things seem one way. The less time he has, the more desperate he gets. Again, I'm not really hung up on how things seem, but I am after spiritual context here. Blessings.

I asked because I was thinking of a particular situation - God telling Paul, who was Saul, to go find Ananias to pray for him. And then I thought, why not a woman? And I considered much of what has been posted even before posting, but I just wondered about the spiritual context of it all, if there is one. In my mind, it's perfectly possible for there not to be one, since there is now neither jew nor greek, male or female, slave or free - but all are one in Christ Jesus. Also, in our church, our pastor does not like it when men lay hands on women in prayer, or vice versa, but there's one guys whose testimonies are ALL about laying his hands on women in prayer. And yeah, it turns a few heads when he says those things. However, if it were any other guy, to be honest, i wouldn't bat an eyelid. It's just the way he talks about women in general - make lots of misogynistic jokes. Then he goes lays hands on them. Ok.... lol. I'm also thinking about the last days, and persecution - when we will survive on faith in God and prayer and His Word. When push comes to shove we find out the things that really matter. Will it matter then? If so, then it must have spiritual significance. So, that's where I'm coming from on the matter. As I said, I welcome your replies. Let's keep edifying each other

Thanks for all the responses guys, keep them coming - provoking much thought and meditation on God's word

Hey Noobers :hug: thanks, it's been a really long time - again. It's very true, we are in perilous times, indeed. I was really thinking in a purely spiritual context; and among brethren, not unbelievers. Was just curious of others' thoughts.

And vice versa, outside of the family circle? Please share your thoughts.

Very sad but true. I have seen his agents in action, it's despicable.

Amen!

Awesome! I love how you handled that, amen!

Absolutely.

Looks good