In the year 2020, during one of my mission trips to a west African country, I met a brother who was into missions in that country too. We were discussing on ministry matters when he shared the experience of a co minister. Out of zeal and lack of sensitivity to the Spirit's leading, the man laid hands on someone during one of his outreaches and he became paralysed. He began to visit the hospital and they just couldn't help him. In fact, they predicted he won't live long.
Another minister of the gospel wanted to lay hands during his ministration. God opened his eyes to see a snake on the head of the woman he wanted to lay his hands. That was how he refrained. If he had laid hands, he could have been bitten by the invisible snake and the next we'll hear is that he died on the altar while ministering or after ministration. So many ministers have come under unnecessary attacks after a powerful ministration.
Some even fell into immorality probably because an arrow of immorality hit them after laying hands on a lady with the spirit of seduction. These things happen and I know it because I operate in the power gifts by God's grace. However, I know these experiences can be avoided If all power ministers stay sensitive to the Spirit.
Another preacher in Minna shared a similar experience. He was fasting and praying in preparation for the invitation to preach in a church. During his fasting, a voice told him to lay his head on people's head. He was confused because he didn't see any example of this in scriptures. Eventually, he decided he won't lay head until he is cleared in his spirit.
When he got to the church where he wanted to minister, witches began to confess and one of them said she has a horn on her head capable of causing headache for her victims if she hit them with it. Quickly, the preacher confirmed that woman was the reason a demon spoke to him to lay his heads on people. If he did, that woman would have knocked him down by her invisible horn.
For those who operate in the power gifts, while ministering, you need to be sensitive to how the Spirit of God is moving at that hour of your ministration. If he is instructing you not to lay hands, simply obey. We know that laying on of hands is scriptural, yet that is not the only way for impartation.
As you minister, do not be overwhelmed by zeal to the point where you'll do what will cut your life short or lead you into trouble. Moses was instructed to speak to the rock but he hit the rock with his rod. The miracle of provision still happened but he lost his place in the scheme of things (Numbers 20:12).
Before you step on the podium to preach, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to instruct you on how he wants to move. Once revealed, flow with him. Flowing with the Holy Spirit during ministration is what guarantees your safety.
