The word 'anointing' is one of the most misunderstood and misused words in the church. It is often taught as if the anointing is something that people can 'feel' when the 'anointing' is in the room. People go to 'spiritual' teachers who have declared they have a special 'anointing' and, therefore, have earned the exclusive right to become a kind of mediator between God and man to impart 'power' and 'fresh revelation' to others.
At one moment during His ministry on Earth, Jesus was approached by the Disciples about the end of the world. They asked:
"when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered, "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." (Matthew 24:3-6 NIV)
Jesus told them that the primary sign that signified the end of the world was that many would come in His name claiming they were "anointed."
THE TRUE ANOINTED ONE
Jesus did not start His earthly ministry until He was 30 years old. He entered a local synagogue, read a passage from the Book of Isaiah, and proclaimed,
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19 NIV)
The passage He read embodied the very essence of His ministry and defined the purpose of the anointing. Jesus was announcing that He was the "Anointed One" sent by the Father. He is the High Priest, and the anointing flows from His head over the body that is under His leadership.
The word "Christ" means anointed. It is the Greek word 'chiro,' which is a translation of the Hebrew word 'mashach.' It is where the word "Messiah" comes from. Jesus is the "Christ, the Son of God." (John 20:31 NIV)
The Hebrew word 'mashach' was used in religious rites, and means to actively rub or smear with oil, to paint, to cover over and make it a part of a person, to set apart or consecrate.
The Greek word 'chiro' also means to anoint, to cover over, to rub with oil. It is always used for rubbing or sprinkling with oil in a religious sense. The words for anointing used in Scripture primarily pertain to the sacred or divine and to things (or persons) consecrated or devoted to God.
The word "Christian" is also derived from 'chiro.' The followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch as a form of mockery (See Acts 11:26). The term means "little anointed one." That is what a person becomes when they are Born-Again. Christians are anointed and set apart at the moment of salvation and chosen by God to become holy as He is holy (See 1 Peter 1:16, 2:9).
There is another word in the Bible that is translated 'anointing.' It is the Hebrew word 'shemen' which means liquid, such as olive oil, and was often perfumed. It signified the rich and lavish blessings of God.
Olive oil had a number of uses: it was burned for light (See Exodus 25:6); as a medication (See Ezekiel 16:9); to anoint a future leader (See Exodus 25:6; 2 Kings 9:6); as a sign of mourning (See 2 Samuel 14:2); as well as rejoicing (See Psalm 23:5), and for ritual cleansing (See Leviticus 14:17).
CONSECRATE THEM
In the Old Testament, two primary elements were present in times of worship. They were blood and oil. The blood was for cleansing, and the oil was used for anointing.
The first instance of the use of oil was the anointing of the stone by Jacob (Genesis 28:18; 35:14). This was designed to be a formal consecration of the stone for a sacred purpose. Under the Mosaic law, persons and things set apart for sacred purposes were anointed with the "holy anointing oil" (See Exodus 30:23-25, 30-33).
In the Old Testament, the principle of anointing was revealed in the bestowal of supernatural ability on people through various methods and symbols. When a new High Priest or King was anointed in Israel, the prophet would take a horn full of oil and pour it over his head. The anointing oil flowed down the hair and beard then onto his garments, but it did not, nor could it, touch the flesh. The symbolism was that this person was 'set apart' or consecrated, to be God's vessel or instrument. They were now considered "holy" by God, spiritually qualified, divinely empowered for service, and separated for His use. Each of these "set apart" people were given specific roles in ministry (See Exodus 30:29-30; 1 Samuel 10:1,6; 16:13-14).
God gave explicit instructions that all the furniture, the wood, the metal, the clay, and the stones used in the Tabernacle, had to be anointed for service, as well before they could be used. When the Anointing Oil was applied to those ordinary items used as furniture were no longer 'ordinary' - they were "set apart" to God.
The anointing was also used figuratively throughout the Scripture. To be "anointed with oil" meant that a person would be successful and joyous (Psalm 92:10; Ecclesiastes 9:8). "Anointing with the oil of gladness" (Psalm 45:7; Hebrews 1:9) expresses spiritual joy, such as Jesus feels every time He sees the fruit of His sufferings (See Isaiah 61:3). Jesus told the church at Laodicea that He would be "Anointing the eyes with eye salve," which expressed an impartation of spiritual perception to those who needed to understand their condition (See Revelation 3:18).
The Hebrew expression "anoint the shield" (Isaiah 21:5) refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield to make it pliable and fit for use in war. It speaks of the "shield of faith" that must constantly have the anointing from the Holy Spirit applied each time a person trusts the Lord so that it can be used to "extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16 NIV).
Anointing was also an act of hospitality. It was often a mark of respect and special honor to a guest to be anointed with oil, and it was used in preparation for social occasions (See Luke 7:38,46; John 11:2; Psalm 23:5; Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Samuel 14:2; Isaiah 61:3; Psalm 104:15).
In the New Testament, anointing oil was frequently used for healing. Jesus practiced this Himself (See John 9:6,11) and committed this practice to the Disciples to continue the laying on of hands as a token of the highest faculty of medicine in the church. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (See Psalm 109:18; Isaiah 1:6; Mark 6:13; James 5:14-15).
THE FRAGRANCE OF THE ANOINTING
The bodies of the dead were also anointed with oil. This ceremony was performed after the washing of the body and was the ancient Jewish form of preparing a body for burial (See Mark 14:8 and Luke 23:56).
Upon Jesus' death Nicodemus, the man who once had visited Jesus at night,
"brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs." (John 19:39-40 NIV)
Myrrh was rubbed all over the body because of its strong fragrance. It would help to block out the odor caused by decay. It also speaks of death. There is no anointing without it. The sweet fragrance is only released after it is crushed. The anointing only comes after there is the "crushing" of self and self-made plans and agendas.
The choice to walk daily in the anointing is fully each person's choice to make. If they desire to live a life that has the sweet fragrance of Jesus to attract the lost and hurting, then it must first be built on "the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:19-20 NIV).
CRUSHED, BUT NOT BROKEN
"Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." (Luke 20:18 NIV)
Christians must be willing to be crushed if they want to be fully used by God. If they want to walk daily in God's anointing, they must die to self. There isn't any other choice to be made. If they do not come to a place of brokenness by falling on "that stone," then "crushing" circumstances will come into their life that will bring them to that place where they will die to self. The word "crushed" means to be pulverized into a fine powder. When a Christian dies to self, God will take that powder, form and shape it into His image and likeness, and breathe His life into it for His glory.
Even in those times of crushing that will come, God will anoint them to help ease the pain. Unless there is a breaking in one's life, the fragrance of Christ will never be released.
Sometimes people view their life as if it were a precious treasure like a priceless oriental vase. However, the truth is that Christians only hold the treasure of the Glory of God "in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV). The anointing is all about His glory alone!
THE ANOINTING BREAKS THE YOKE
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing." (Isaiah 10:27 KJV)
During the times of ancient Israel, farmers would use a yoke for their work animals. It was a type of harness that joined two animals at the neck and head to work together, pulling a wagon, a cart, or a plow. The harness was curved and pressed against the shoulders, and held in position by leather thongs, or 'bonds,' fastened around the animal's throat. Having a "yoke' signified any kind of bond or obligation to do a specific thing. In most instances, the yoke was used as a figurative description of severe oppression:
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright." (Leviticus 26:13 NIV)
The "yoke" and "bands" refer to the slavery in Egypt from which God freed Israel. He took them out from bondage and set them free so that they could serve Him. God told Israel after they were set free from Egypt, that if they disobeyed Him, they would be punished and brought back into bondage (See Deuteronomy 28:47-51).
Despite God's warning, as they traveled through the wilderness, Israel disobeyed the Lord and served other gods. They were put into the yoke of bondage because they had broken their yoke, or covenant (allegiance) to God, and had to serve their enemies in hunger, thirst, and nakedness, wearing an "iron yoke" (See also Jeremiah 2:20; 5:1-6, 27:2).
God promised His people through the prophet Isaiah that the oppression they were facing would be taken away and destroyed, because of the anointing that was upon His chosen nation, its prophets, priests, kings, and holy place.
"When they were but few, few indeed, and strangers in it, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings: "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm." (Psalm 105:12-15 NIV)
The kings of this world in this verse include both humankind and the "principalities and powers" (Ephesians 6:12). God will not allow any enemy to 'touch' or lay a hand on a Born-Again Christian. He will rebuke the enemy as the Christian walks humbly in the anointing. Those who call themselves 'Christian' but are not willing to live a life of holiness and humility, will fall by the wayside when things get tough and will not be able to endure to the end.
The Bible says that those who call themselves 'Christian' but leave the faith;
"did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." (1 John 2:18-19 NIV)
The anointing is the symbolic expression of God's goodness and love, and the transmittal of His power to be used for His glory. King David wrote;
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:5-6 NIV)
The anointing is how God shows His favor. King David accredited everything he did for his people to God. He trusted Him like no other before. He knew that He could not rely upon his abilities, strengths, experience, and talents to unite the kingdom, conquer his enemies, and rule with justice in peace. He had to walk in the anointing of God which gave him the power to perform the task. David went on to become Israel's greatest king, not because of his abilities, but because of God's favor freely bestowed upon him as he humbly cooperated with the Holy Spirit (See 1 Samuel 16:1-11).
Every Born-Again Christian has the anointing of God which provides the ability to have an intimate relationship with Him. The favor of God is now on them because of Jesus! They were saved "by his special favor." It is a "gift from God" (Ephesians 2:9 NLT). Christians are now:
"seated with him in the heavenly realms--all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6-7 NLT)
You can live in the peaceful truth that the anointing of God breaks every yoke of oppression that the enemy will ever try to place on you!
EMPOWERED FOR SERVICE AND WARFARE
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV)
At the baptism of Jesus, a dove "descended" upon Him, uniquely symbolizing the Holy Spirit. The Dove represents holiness, purity, innocence, meekness, graciousness, and favor. A Dove's unique ability is to focus its vision. Although a Dove has two eyes, it sees only one thing at a time. As shown at Jesus' baptism, the Holy Spirit abides and remains on those who are focused on doing the Father's will.
Before the Holy Spirit descended at His baptism, Jesus had not performed a single miracle. He had no disciples, no followers, no one asking Him to teach. He was just a craftsman working a daily job like any other man. However, He knew that before He could start His ministry, He needed the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. After His Baptism, because the Father was pleased with Him, the Holy Spirit led Him "into the desert to be tempted by the devil" as He prepared for His ministry, and Jesus fasted for "forty days and forty nights" (Matthew 4:1-3 NIV).
If the Christian truly wants to be empowered and anointed for service to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and the brokenhearted, and set the captive free, it will require those times in the wilderness where they must pray and fast to overcome the enemy. It didn't come easily for Jesus. No one should ever think that it will come easily for them. No one can do this in their strength. They must depend on God. Christians must minister in holiness with the power of God under His "anointing."
"It's not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord." (Zechariah 4:6)
In the Old Testament, the anointing would come and go. The Holy Spirit would 'come on' a person and anoint them for a specific task, such as Samson, for a moment or even a season. But the anointing would always leave. This was a mystery that was "kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints" (Colossians 1:26 NIV). The "glorious riches" of the anointing doesn't come from without. They come from within, for it is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27 NIV).
Jesus is the source of the anointing! There is no mystical 'point-of-contact' or any methodology, or formula to receive, increase, or 'loose' the anointing on others. The anointing does not pour down from heaven; it pours out from the Kingdom of God that is within every Christian (See Luke 17:21).
The Holy Spirit, "who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you"! It is the Holy Spirit within that gives "life to your mortal bodies" (Romans 8:11 NIV). The anointing has already been formed and flows in every Christian. Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38-39 KJV). The Bible also says:
"the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him." (1 John 2:27 NIV)
The word "anointing" spoken of in the verse is the Holy Spirit. Only a living and intelligent being has the power to teach. The anointing that was once reserved only for kings, priests, and the prophets of Israel, is now available to everyone who repents of their sin and receives Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
There is nothing in the Bible that refers to the anointing as being a supernatural power given to humans by which they can perform miracles. It is not a special experience or for only an exclusive group of leaders. The anointing also doesn't come and go as it did with Samson, or the high priests and prophets. The Holy Spirit is continually with you from the moment of salvation. He is the one who brings about "Signs and Wonders."
You don't have to have 'special' qualities or qualifications to be 'good' to carry out any task that the Lord gives you. Your disqualification is what qualifies you for service because it is not about abilities, education, or talent; it is about God's power working through you.
The anointing remains and does not change in any way. God will at times allow a person to experience His manifest presence in a physical way that is profoundly supernatural and most often life-changing. However, it does not grow stale. It is not like the Manna that fell in the wilderness and needed to be gathered fresh each day, or it would become moldy and unusable. The anointing is empowerment for service and grows stronger as the sinful flesh grows weaker, and His will replaces "my will." God gives you the ability to do what He has called you to do.
The anointing is not a 'power' of God given to only a select few or the spiritual elite. Nowhere in Scripture can it be found that the anointing came through a person, but rather, it came upon them (See Acts 2,8,10,19). Jesus never taught how to obtain or release the anointing.
The true 'anointing' is the act of being consecrated, or set aside, and applies to the whole body of Christ. Every Born-Again Christian has full access to the anointing of God. They are all members of the body of Christ. It is because of the anointing that you have power over sin and the enemy.
