Riding on other people's coattails......??

[Yitzchak]

I have a question which has been circulating in my mind for a while now. The expression "riding someone else's coattails comes to mind". Which is an expression , in case you have never heard it before, which basically means you are in the right place in the right time and someone esle's success sweeps you along into some of the benefits. Meaning on my own I would never have received the ebnefits but ride into the blessing on someone else's coattails so to speak because it is in reality their blessing.

Let me see if I can explain.... Take for example Abraham's servants. They all lived better lives because of Abraham's wealth, both financial and spiritual. Or another example, Isaac received blessings because he was Abraham's son. Or I receive blessings because I am in america and they are just there for me even though I didn't pray for or work for any of those blessings.

So now to my real question. Is it possible to mistake being in a good church around annointed people as an annointing upon my life???? I mean the Spirit shows up powerfully but I just happen to be there and get some of the blessing. It even seems that there is some residual annointing that sticks to me for a while afterwards but then fades. For years , I thought I must be really strong in faith because I reaped the benefits of strong intercessors and men and women of faith around me. But recently, I have been wondering if it is possible that I rode the coattails of those who paid the cost of prayer and fasting and seeking the Lord until He broke through in their lives.

I would like input and prayers concerning this for me and if you like just some general comments about if you have experienced similar things and the concept in general. Is it possible that there is a minority of the church which carries the rest of us in on their coattails , so to speak ??

 

[Father Rick]

In a word...YES!

 

[fiveinjuly]

I agree, I think that it is possible, however I also think that you have to be careful of both that and doubting your won feelings sometime. I think that if you are doing your part, though there should be no problem.

 

[John 15:13]

Well, all considered, we're riding on the tails of Jesus' ministry then. When he ascended into heaven, he gave us authority. We did nothing to deserve it. Look at everything the apostles did.

I want to leave the world better than I found it. Be nice to leave my kids a legacy. If I can enjoy the anointing and then teach my son so he will never suffer the way I did, I will.

 

[rapturefish]

It is quite possible, yes. I like the illustration.

I believ the true measure of a person's spiritual growth lies in when they are placed in a place of testing, away from the things that one could lean on in the comforts of their home, church or otherwise. However, connection is an important principle. Being around people of spiritual maturity will mean something of them is likely to rub off on you if you are receptive and humble. You can learn a lot from people just by being around them. The true measure of growth however is how you will act when you are placed in a situation whereby there is only you and God.

I would definitely try to be around anointed people as often as possible. But the point of being in such community is to be refreshed and prepared to reach out into the world of darkness and make an impact by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be a light in darkness. No-one keeps a light hidden, but lets it be placed where all can see it shine. You are empowered and edified by your church community for the sake of reaching the lost and bringing souls into the kingdom, not just to be in a place of spiritual exhiliration for the sake of it.

Remember that even Saul and his soldiers ended up prophesying when he was chasing David and found himself in a holy place. And he was a king whose anointing was fading from him.

blessings,

RF <><

 

[Yitzchak]

It is quite possible, yes. I like the illustration.

I believ the true measure of a person's spiritual growth lies in when they are placed in a place of testing, away from the things that one could lean on in the comforts of their home, church or otherwise. However, connection is an important principle. Being around people of spiritual maturity will mean something of them is likely to rub off on you if you are receptive and humble. You can learn a lot from people just by being around them. The true measure of growth however is how you will act when you are placed in a situation whereby there is only you and God.

I would definitely try to be around anointed people as often as possible. But the point of being in such community is to be refreshed and prepared to reach out into the world of darkness and make an impact by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be a light in darkness. No-one keeps a light hidden, but lets it be placed where all can see it shine. You are empowered and edified by your church community for the sake of reaching the lost and bringing souls into the kingdom, not just to be in a place of spiritual exhiliration for the sake of it.

Remember that even Saul and his soldiers ended up prophesying when he was chasing David and found himself in a holy place. And he was a king whose anointing was fading from him.

blessings,

RF <><

Awesome answer. Your answer is very helpful to me. thank you.

 

[Jesus Loves Laurie]

Fantastic observation! We learn by example and we can more easily receive the gifts of God if we are witness to them. Hallelujia when we can be around such people. Because all good gifts and all perfect gifts are from above. And who doesn't love a gift?

 

[Wigglesworth]

Being in a group of people who exude the presence of God does not prove that you are anointed. When you carry the presence of God to people who are obviously not exuding His presence, then you are anointed. Jesus didn't do miracles in worship services at the temple.

What you have before you get around other people should make a difference to them. What you got by spending time around other people was never yours to begin with.

 

[Yitzchak]

Being in a group of people who exude the presence of God does not prove that you are anointed. When you carry the presence of God to people who are obviously not exuding His presence, then you are anointed. Jesus didn't do miracles in worship services at the temple.

What you have before you get around other people should make a difference to them. What you got by spending time around other people was never yours to begin with.

Agreed. I have come to the conclusion that God allowed me to have these experiences for a couple reasons. First it is one thing to be young in the Lord and rely on others but as we grow in the Lord we reach a place where we need to move from that to a more mature faith.
Second, i believe the Lord let me see a glimpse of how much more there is in the Lord than I am experiecening so that I would hunger for it and seek Him and not be satisfied with less.
Thank you everyone for your answers.

 

[Yitzchak]

I am thinking about this again lately. Is it time for us to dig our own wells of revival ?

 

[Elisha1961]

As a christian you can learn and grow through other Christians, but when the rubber meets the road it is all about your individual relationship with God. You have to have God as the #1 in your life. I regularly ask God to reveal anything in me that is usurpihg His place in my life. Am I paranoid? No I just know how easy it is to be in self deception. Like the parable of the 10 virgins, you can not rely on other people's oil when the time comes.

Revival starts with individuals. You have to have your own lamp full and clean. A good church is a blessing, but unless you have a great relationship with God it is meaningless.