Healing the Orphan Spirit

by Leif Hetland

The Orphan spirit is rampant in the church and the world today, causing chaos and destruction. There is an answer to this orphan spirit, which is the spirit of adoption and the spirit of Sonship. Father God is waiting for His sons and daughters to understand who they are, and be the co-heirs He created them to be. The most perfect example of a son knowing his true identity, position, and inheritance was Jesus.

Jesus left His Heavenly home to be born on the earth as a man, leaving His Father and His godly nature behind. As a child, He was raised for a time in Egypt, having escaped Herod’s mass execution in His earthly home. As he began His ministry, He was continually on the move with His disciples going from town to town and being unwelcome in many places. He had no earthly home, yet He never felt the sting and pain of the orphan spirit because he was constantly with His Father.

Jesus said in John 3:13, “No one has ascended to heaven, but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of man who is in heaven.” Jesus, of all men, did not have an orphan spirit, for He never really left the presence of His Father. He was at home wherever He happened to be physically, because He and His Father never lost the connection… not until He took our sins upon the cross. There He partook of the orphan spirit when He cried out in anguish, “Father, why have you forsaken me?” Only then did Jesus experience the pain of the orphan spirit, as He died to bring us back to a relationship with our Father.

Now we can come back to the Eden Father created for us and we can live from Heaven, instead of toward Heaven.

Genres: Nonfiction, Faith, Christian, Christian Living

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2013

Reviews

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so grateful for this book.

[Stephanie Serna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book for every believer to read! We have all been adopted into God's family and have to overcome mentalities that are associated with the trauma of living apart from our true Father.

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orphan Spirit is a concept that I had never considered. But when a friend of mine suggested watching a series that Leif Hetland did on the subject, I watched it. After discovering several principles that explained certain actions in my own life. When he mentioned he had a book on the subject, I decided to read it to learn more.

The book is a deep dive on the subject of two different spirits: the spirit of sonship and the spirit of orphans. Many problems in the church and in Christians’ lives seem to be because of a pervasive orphan spirit that we inherited from Adam after the fall. In Healing the Orphan Spirit, Leif explores what the spirit is, how it pervades the church, and several steps to begin to adopt the spirit of sonship instead.

This book touched on subjects that are sensitive to me. I discovered that the orphan spirit is alive and leeching away God’s love, power, and plan for my life. If you struggle to accept who you are in God or if you strive to constantly do, do, do to get your Heavenly Father’s approval, this book is for you. I will reread this book many times to embed the truths even deeper in my life, especially the truth that God accepts me not because I do things for Him, but because I am His child. I don’t have to do anything to receive the Father’s love. He already loves me.

[Meg Fowler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I put this in my do not finish pile. on page 107 Mr. Hetland makes ridiculous claims about the nature of the older son's relationship to his father that are simply not accurate. He claims the older son had a slave mentality because he received portions designated for slaves, and that he would line up with the slaves to receive his wage. This is an outrageous leap in thought and completely false! First century Middle Eastern landowners with slaves, placed their sons OVER, the slaves. The parable even states that the older son SUMMONED a slave to inquire about the party going on. He wouldn't do that if he didn't have authority over the slave. Hetland bases his teaching on a made up construction of ideas, just to fit his teaching points. You can't do that with Scripture! The beginning about the 3 chairs was helpful, but it's not a trustworthy read.

[Jonathan King · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hetland makes some good points in here about our need to understand our identity as sons and daughters of our Father. The problem is that those points are obscured under tons of grammatical errors and shoddy formatting. The man badly needed an editor, but instead he apparently took his first or second draft straight through self-publishing. Others may not find it as distracting as I did, but for me, I felt the urge to take a red pen to the pages rising in me with each paragraph. Throw in some questionable and possibly harmful views on depression, and you have a book that had potential but that I really can’t recommend.

[Krystal H Jayroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING LIFE CHANGING READ -God breathed and in perfect flow with the Word.

This book was SUCH a gift to me. God is freeing me from the orphan spirit through His live and releasing the hold of religion from my life. I would love everyone to read this book and take your time doing so. Soak in the chapters and meditate on what you read and with the word it gives you. Let Daddy God heal your heart so you can feel a love you have never known before that only He gives.

[Barry W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few books demonstrate the love and purposes of God as well

Leif identifies “Orphan” thought as a huge problem confronting us today. This particularly affects the West and Western churches. This thought pattern is initiated and carried by rebellion against the Father heart of God. It separates us from love, truth, wisdom, direction and abiding relationships. Most of all it separates us from the abundant life of the children of the family of God Himself.

[Doug Hawkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye Opening

Sometimes we get sidetracked. We forget who we are in Christ. We forget, through lack of attentiveness or through a failure in our belief in the person and work of Christ. In short, we get lost in the details of life without vision of the greater picture of God's adopting love. This book will help you get that vision restored.

[Shelly J. Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful teaching!

This book is empowering and inspiring. Leif Hetland uncovers the orphan spirit and shows the way to healing by the Father’s Love. I especially appreciate the activation and declaration exercises at the end of each chapter. This is a powerful resource and a must read!

[monique lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

This book was amazing! The perspective of the son at home was eyeopening and convicting. God loves ME! And I cannot do anything to change or earn His mercy and grace. Thank you for writing this book- it has changed my life and initiated deliverance from the orphan spirit.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read — a little repetitive in spots, and the revelation wasn’t as big for me as in “Seeing Through Heaven’s Eyes”. I would totally recommend this though for a new believer. Still a good read!

[Billi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding of orphan spirit

Very helpful book and brings facts about understanding the orphan spirit. After reading I think tis will help me understand Fathers love and my life as His daughter.

[Nika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so thankful for any book that teaches concepts that bring me closer to the Lord. This one truly did. The journal prompts and declarations were helpful to use in my time with God to help me receive His love and fatherly care on a whole new level.

[Sofía Tinoco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hermoso libro! Ha sido de mucha bendición para mi vida, porque te invita a identificar y reflexionar áreas de tu vida donde está predominando la orfandad. Es una invitación a abrazar el deseo del Padre de sentirnos hijos y de vivir una vida en libertad❤️‍🩹.

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author makes some intersting points and has a different perspective on things. I do believe the concept is Biblical and an intersting read.

[Gary Chorpenning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good study in encountering the love & acceptance of our Father in heaven.

[Marieke Den · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will change your life!

This will change your Life! Get the book now, go go go go! Don’t wait! Click the Buy Button now!

[David Mccowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going through this book slowly I did find very healing, but the author over analyzes the Parable of the Lost Son and it starts to show in the later chapters.

[Andrius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Labai paprastai, aiškiai, lengvai atskleidžiama labai išplitusios našlaičio dvasios problema ir nuoseklus gydymas.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are quite a few books out there on the "orphan spirit." This is one of them. I recently spoke to a group of about a dozen people. Everyone in the group thought they had the OS! Who knew? If I sound skeptical it's because I am. What I'm not skeptical about is that we've all been hurt along the way and love goes the furthest in bringing healing and hope.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and inspirational read for any Christian, or non-Christian, especially for those who've gone through, or will go through AA or Celebrate recovery type programs.

[Nichole Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some really good nuggets but I really struggled with this book. A lot of the writing seemed dramatic for dramatic sake.

[Jim Waddell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for more from this book if I'm honest. The title promises quite a lot. The book starts well with discussion on the orphan spirit and thoughts around what this leads to in our lives. For several chapters this is very interesting and promising. As the book moves on, there is interesting discussion around the concept of living away from home (prodigal son) and coming home, and ultimately, the need and the answer to be in the presence of the Father. However, from chapter 6 onwards, no real solutions or practical tools are given as to how to go about this process. This is a real shame as the book could have been so much more.

[EarthDeneal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm begging you to read this book.

Leif dives into the contributors and characteristics of the orphan spirit. He goes into depth in bible stories- focusing on the prodigal son parable that we've all heard but Leifs perspective is so eye-opening. Leif immerses us in our God given identify, inheritance, and crucifixion of Jesus. Every chapter also includes an opportunity to connect with the Father.

This book changed my life, it is so beautiful and so necessary. This was also such a quick read and only adds to your life. 

[Sarie Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

From a Christian perspective, the book is great. There are several statements that really hit home. From an argumentative stance, it’s a no. There are several terms that deserve full explanations. The term “orphan” itself is not given a solid definition from the start, which weakens the argument along the way. There is also repetitiveness. A great read for Christians, though, who are interested in taking a different approach to life.

[Aeolain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I was expecting more contrast between the spirit of bondage versus the spirit of sonship This is a great book overall.

[Karen Murano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better the second time.

[Myrna Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have a lovely Father

So revealing, the love of the Father presented in a powerful way. We are not orphans, we are loved sons and daughters.

[Twila Godinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book that explains the “orphan mindset” that we often live with. Great explanation of the prodigal son parable.