David Diga Hernandez - Spiritual Transfer Clearly Explained

Your connections matter. Impartation or spiritual transfer is a biblical reality. Impartation is the spiritual transfer that occurs between believers. Several things can be imparted by the spirit: power can be imparted, gifts can be imparted, and knowledge can be imparted. Here are some biblical examples of people receiving impartation: Elijah and Elisha, Moses and Joshua, Jesus and the disciples, David and Saul (yes, that’s an actual example), and Paul and Timothy. When we use the connections that God has given us and leverage those connections for spiritual purposes, spiritual transfer can take place. If you are ready for God to use you and want to harness this powerful reality known as spiritual transfer, simply comment, «Use me, Lord.»

Now, there are three different types of impartation that I’ve seen in Scripture. First, we will begin with number one: given impartation. Matthew 28:19 states, «Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.» This speaks of discipleship. Many times, when we think of impartation, we envision an altar call, where someone has hands laid on them and maybe they are slain in the Spirit, sensing the power of God. That’s wonderful, but basically, impartation is a spiritual transfer of any kind, and this includes discipleship.

You may be a new convert who has just recently come to the Lord, or you may be someone who has served the Lord for a long time. However, everyone can help someone coming after them. Do you realize that when you witness to someone and evangelize, that’s a form of impartation? Whether you’re experienced or a newborn Christian, you can give impartation. You can share your testimony, pray with someone, encourage someone, and teach someone what you have come to know about the Lord. Anyone who is born again knows at least something about the Lord. By sharing with those who are not quite as far along in their spiritual journey, you are participating in given impartation, which is number one.

Number two: shared impartation. I will discuss this one a little more than I did number one. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, «Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for bad company corrupts good character.» There is such a thing as ungodly spiritual transfer or ungodly impartation. This is why we must be careful about the connections we make. However, we also see that there are benefits to impartation when we connect with fellow believers who are like-minded, spiritually connected, living holy lives, grounded in the Word of God, and led by the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says in Amos 3:3, «Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?» This addresses the power of agreement—if someone fundamentally disagrees, they cannot truly connect. It does not mean we must agree on everything to connect, but at a basic level, we must be united in the primaries of the faith. 1 John 2:19 says, «These people left our churches because they never really belonged with us. Otherwise, they would have stayed. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.» This passage speaks about those who have left the church, highlighting that they were never really among us to begin with.

The Bible also warns us in Hebrews 10:25 about not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Here, the Bible emphasizes the importance of gathering with other believers. When we think of impartation, we may picture hands being laid on us at an altar call during a revival meeting or conference. Perhaps you envision a famous Christian praying over you and imparting their mantle. There is truth to that notion, but the primary way we receive impartation is through our relationships with one another. Proverbs 27:17 says, «Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.» The connections you have—your friendships and ministry associations—are key to your spiritual development.

I thank God for my spiritual fathers and my pastor, for those who help guide me spiritually. However, you are more often going to receive impartation from friendships than you will from leadership. This does not mean that one is more important than the other; it simply indicates that you are more frequently around friends, peers, and those working alongside you. Therefore, we must be careful in choosing who we allow into our circles. Particularly for those of you in ministry, you will notice that the ministry friends you make will heavily influence your thought processes. They may be prone to complaints, praise, gossip, or genuine compliments behind others' backs, which is something we should do more often. They may lean toward greed or towards generosity.

We must be discerning—not paranoid, but vigilant—about the people we allow around us. When we invite people into our lives and begin to converse, we start to co-labor with one another in the gospel.