Understanding The Anointing

Understanding the anointing

Very few Christians - have true understanding of anointing. What they have been taught may not be exactly right. They probably know that the anointing involves power, that it has something to do with Holy Spirit, and that's about it.

There is an old saying "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing ". I will attempt to impart as much knowledge regarding the anointing by means of God's Word as well as revelation knowledge.

The anointing is the manifest presence of God. The word "anointing" means "to rub with oil, especially in order to consecrate something (holy object) or someone (holy person)." The anointing is tangible and when God's presence manifests, something supernatural happens.

The anointing is supernatural equipping to perform supernatural things. God's anointed vessels are clothed with a mantle of God's supernatural power. The Word teaches us that it is not our might, or our power but it is the power of God's Holy Spirit that enables us to perform mighty deeds.

Many ministers and Christians try to live their lives without the anointing, or they try and minister in the flesh. That places a tremendous burden upon them and that is why their ministry or Christian walk is an uphill struggle. However, that should not be the case, because Jesus tells us to take His burden and to put on His yoke, because it is easy, it is light.

There are therefore two ways of doing things - the hard way or the easy way. The easy way is to ensure that God's power and presence is upon you at all times.

NATURAL AND SUPERNATURAL LAWS

From the day you were born again, you were adopted into the Kingdom of God. From that day, a different set of rules applied to your day to day life on earth. In the past, natural laws applied and it was those laws that determined your success or failure. But now, a new set of rules apply which enables you to function on a greater level of ability, success and power.

These rules are called supernatural laws, which are not understood by ordinary people. Unfortunately, they are also mis-understood by Christians, who are the very people whose lives they are intended for. They are labeled as "foolish" by the world, because they are so different from other natural laws.

For example, the principal of tithing entails living more successfully and victoriously on 90 % of your income that on 100 % of your income. Try and explain that to a carnal person and you will probably be scoffed at. However, by simply applying that supernatural principle by faith on the grounds of God's unfailing Word, prosperity, health, favour and many other blessings are imparted to you from God's kingdom. Many Christians fail miserably because they are not prepared to live by these supernatural laws.

THE ANOINTING UPON JESUS

Not only does God want you to live in prosperity and blessing, but He also wants you to live victoriously as an overcomer. That is possible by an impartation of God's anointing upon your life.

Not even Jesus could function supernaturally whilst on earth, without the anointing. Before He could heal the sick, raise the dead or perform any miracle, he had to be anointed for the task. How much more is that applicable to you and I!

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (Jesus) because He has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor, he has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

I believe the power of God's Spirit if the missing ingredient in the lives of God's people.

From the above verses, it is clear that Jesus has given you and I authority over:

• Sin

• Poverty

• Sickness

• All the power of the devil

However, this power and authority has one prerequisite - the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This is what enables believers to function supernaturally. Jesus tells us that we are to do greater works than He did. The question is - what are we doing?

THE OLD TESTAMENT ANOINTING

The anointing is God's mandate for you to function in the supernatural. In the Old testament, there were only three type of people who were anointed. They were:

• prophets

• priests

• kings

If you were not one of these three, you were excluded from the manifest power and presence and anointing of God.

However, on the Day of Pentecost, all that changed. The Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh - men and women, Jews and gentiles, rich and poor, free and slave.