To impart something means to give, convey, or grant. To imitate means to act like or follow a pattern or style set by another.
The Holy Spirit imparts to those who ask Him; revelation, inspiration, gifts, fruits, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and all manner of spiritual blessings.
We can TRY to imitate these things but does that have same effect? Actors imitate. It has been said imitation is the highest form of flattery. Is flattery a Godly principle? When Paul asks us to imitate – what exactly is he referring to?
Would you rather have a gift imparted to you, or be told to imitate that gift? How can one tell the difference in others if the fruit or gift they are displaying has been imparted to them or are they just imitating that fruit or gift?
Does the counterfeit imitate the original? Which would you rather possess the counterfeit or the real?
All of these questions need to be asked of ourselves. Are we just imitating out of our own desires, pride, arrogance, or fear? Or are we humbling ourselves before Him and asking for an impartation from Him? Do we put on our ‘masks’ before meetings with those we want to impress? Are we changing our clothing, demeanor, and language to present an imitation of who we want to be or who we think we’re supposed to be? Like on Sunday mornings before and at ‘services’? Do we change our actions to meet certain expectations in different places?
Why then does the end of Galatians 5:23 say, “….against such things there is no law.”? Could it be if those fruit have been imparted by the Holy Spirit into someone and they have matured and are walking in them … that there will be no circumstances or places that could find those actions and fruit …wrong or counterfeit?
Impartation and imitation go to the very heart of a person or issue. Externally they could look very much alike, but they are VERY different at the heart.
If you find yourself changing to imitate other behaviors than you normally do when going to different places or with people — maybe you should examine your heart. What really is at your core?
A good beginning is a humble heart before Him. Don’t imitate it, make it real. Ask Him to impart to you what He desires to give you.