The Orphan Spirit and Acceptance…
The following is an excerpt from a seminar “Ministering to the Orphan Spirit” that I gave at the Niagara Conference. If you would like the transcript, you can e-mail me at beckerjm@gmail.com. You can find the audio recording at this page. Also on the page is a seminar I gave about God’s plan for the children of North and South Korea. Definitely check that out if Korea (especially NK) interests you. Oh, and I also love Jake Hamilton. The more I listen to his music the more deeply I’m ministered to. His songs The Anthem, Embrace, and Marked bless me a lot…
Acceptance…
In Mark 1:11 (ESV), right after Jesus came out of the water, a voice came from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” God declared Jesus’ identity over Him. He told Jesus that Jesus is not just His Son, but His beloved Son. His Son whom He loves. God knew that shortly after the baptism Jesus would be tempted and the main area Satan would attack would be Jesus’ identity. But because of the words of our loving Father, Jesus was able to overcome all of Satan’s temptations and be victorious.
In order for those who have suffered under the orphan spirit to become victorious, they too must hear such words of acceptance spoken to them and experience that acceptance tangibly in their lives. Presence is powerful. Simply the presence of loved ones can bring a peace and a feeling of acceptance to those in need, but presence alone is not enough. Words and demonstrations of love break off every lie of the enemy and establish a perimeter of love and truth to protect them from the enemy’s attacks.
Sinners ran to Jesus. They washed His feet with their tears. They invited Him to their house. They felt safe around Him. This is what people with the orphan spirit need. They need to feel safe and accepted. They need the reassurance that even when they do wrong and disappoint that they will not lose love. That love is not merited upon deeds. But that love is based on grace and is unfailing.
When the prodigal returned to his father, broken, without money, and likely still covered with residue from feeding pigs, his father chose not to hold the wrong his son had committed against him but instead ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. He loved him beyond measure.
So many are crying out for such love and acceptance. And this comes before being “fixed.” The Pharisees in the Bible would convert a sinner but then would force the sinner to fulfill many rules and changes in their life before the sinner could be fully accepted as one of them. And Jesus rebuked the Pharisees strongly for this. Jesus never demanded the sinners do something before He would love them. Instead, Jesus would love them, accept them, and heal them. Then Jesus would speak those words, “Go and sin no more.” Jesus first showed His love and healing wasn’t based on their actions. They didn’t have to pretty themselves up in order for Jesus to touch them or go to their house. Instead, it was after they received the acceptance and loving touch that they were filled with the joy and strength to turn from their wickedness.
