Day 3 – Transference of Spirits: How It Happens | Spirits That Transfer: Understanding Spiritual Influence and Alignment

I want to begin today with a passage of scripture that reveals something profound. 

Numbers 11:16–17 (NKJV) says, “So the Lord said to Moses: ‘Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.’”

What are we hearing here? God Himself took of the Spirit that rested on Moses and placed it upon the elders. It wasn’t just authority that was shared — it was spiritual nature and capacity. That’s divine transference. 

Makes me think of a question about whether one can get another’s anointing. The truth is, you can receive impartation, but not imitation. God didn’t empty Moses to fill the elders — He simply extended the same Spirit that was working through him. The source remained God. That means no one owns the anointing; it flows from God through willing vessels. So when we stay positioned under His hand, He can pour out that same power in the measure needed for our assignment.

In the kingdom of God, Family, the right kind of transfer is important. The right kind of transfer strengthens the body; it multiplies wisdom, unity, and service.

But we have to understand that not every transfer is holy. Just as the Spirit of God can flow through connection, so can unclean spirits. 

2 Kings 2:9–15 (NLT) records Elisha receiving a double portion of Elijah’s spirit — a holy impartation that birthed miracles. Yet, in contrast, 2 Chronicles 18:19–22 (NKJV) describes a lying spirit sent to deceive King Ahab’s prophets. 

Watch what’s going on here: Both are examples of spiritual power moving through willing vessels — one unto truth, the other unto deception.

That’s why who we connect with matters more than we realize.  I learnt that the hard way!

Proverbs 22:24–25 (NLT) warns, “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” 

Spirit transfers often occur through emotional and relational proximity — people you talk to daily, people you admire, serve, or imitate. Without realizing it, we absorb their atmosphere. 

Just as perfume can cling to your clothes after standing near someone, spiritual residue can cling to your soul after constant exposure.

The apostle Paul also addressed this truth plainly in 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV): “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’” 

That’s not merely moral advice; it’s spiritual reality. The wrong environment can corrupt your discernment, dull your convictions, and alter your spirit’s tone. A heart once full of grace can become hardened simply because it stayed too long around bitterness.

One of the most striking examples of negative spiritual transfer is in Mark 5:8–13 (NLT): “For Jesus had already said to the spirit, ‘Come out of the man, you evil spirit.’ Then Jesus demanded, ‘What is your name?’ And he replied, ‘My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.’ The evil spirits begged Jesus again and again not to send them to some distant place. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. ‘Send us into those pigs,’ the spirits begged. Jesus gave them permission. So the evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about two thousand pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.’”

That is a literal transfer of spirits — from man to animals — proving that spiritual presence can relocate.

Now, while not every influence is as dramatic, it’s just as real. 

Have you ever noticed that when you spend a lot of time with someone negative, you start to feel drained or heavy? Or when you’re around someone who is constantly complaining or criticizing, before long you find yourself doing the same thing — sighing, doubting, or seeing life through a negative lens. 

That’s not a coincidence; it’s a spiritual transfer. Just as joy is contagious, so is bitterness. Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) warns, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” The spirit you spend time with most, will eventually start speaking through you.

On the other hand, have you noticed that when you’re around someone joyful and full of faith, your spirit lifts? 

That’s spiritual transference on a relational level. It’s why Scripture constantly calls us to watch and pray — not just to resist sin, but to guard what influences our hearts.

Paul advised Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:14 (NLT), “Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.” 

That was holy impartation — transference of spiritual power through a righteous act. God still uses leaders, mentors, and prayer partners as vessels to release His Spirit into others for edification and growth. I have also experienced that.

But the sad part of it, is that the enemy mimics God’s methods to corrupt what is pure. And even sadder, we allow the enemy to use us to accomplish this.

So that’s why not every “laying on of hands” should be accepted. 1 Timothy 5:22 (NKJV) warns, “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.” Paul was telling Timothy, be cautious — spiritual contact matters. Not every impartation or knowledge or teaching is divine; some carry contamination.

In today’s world, transference also happens through what we watch, listen to, and emotionally engage with. The same principle applies: what enters repeatedly through the senses eventually shapes the spirit. A constant diet of gossip, fear-driven news, or sensual entertainment feeds the wrong kind of spirit. 

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) urges, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” We renew our spirits when we renew our input.

Family, God designed human spirits to be receptive — that’s why we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 (NLT) says, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 

So, the question isn’t whether you’ll be influenced; it’s who we allow to influence us. Every spirit seeks a vessel. Every influence seeks a home. The one that dominates your attention will eventually direct your actions.

That’s why guarding your spirit isn’t legalism; it’s survival. 

Watch who pours into you, who you serve alongside, who you imitate, and what you expose your emotions to. Again, I can identify. Spiritual discernment is not suspicion — it’s wisdom rooted in love. 

God wants His children to move in pure impartation, where encouragement, anointing, and truth flow freely. But He also warns us not to be naïve about imitation.

As we reflect throughout this day, ask: What have I picked up from others lately? Do I carry peace, or agitation? Faith, or frustration? Who has access to my spirit through words, influence, or intimacy?

And let this be our prayer:

“Lord, make me aware of every spiritual exchange happening in my life. If I’ve received anything that’s not of You, cleanse me. And if there’s anything of You that I’ve neglected to share, stir it up again. Let only Your Spirit flow through me — pure, holy, and life-giving.”