Understanding the Anointing

I chose to name this day “Anointing Sunday” and then proceeded to anoint people with oil. But what exactly is the anointing, and how can we understand it better? The word “anointing’ is thrown around a lot in church circles today. “He’s a very anointed speaker… She has a real anointing for healing… There was a great anointing on the worship or the word… etc.” Yet, do we really know what the anointing is? This may sound basic and perhaps even elementary, but not many people can provide a clear and concise answer. The anointing is a particular, peculiar and unique thing, and despite how much we talk, preach and sing about it, we need to understand it better.

In the Bible (Old and New Testaments) you will find reference too many different types of anointings, various methods of anointing, and numerous anointing ceremonies. For this reason, it’s not always an easy subject to grasp, and that’s why so many people have decided to steer clear of it. But in 1 Corinthians 12:1 the apostle Paul candidly says, “Now concerning spiritual matters, I do not want you to be ignorant.” The anointing is definitely a spiritual matter; therefore, any ignorance in this regard should be avoided. We are to must understand it, and also know and recognise it!

I firmly believe that if we were to unravel some of the perplexities surrounding the anointing, the Christian life would be far more fulfilling. God has made a way for every believer to qualify for and operate in the anointing. It’s not just for God’s man of the hour, with all the power! The idea that the anointing must create a reaction of awe and amazement in others and that it is so deep and unattainable that it appears only when great ministers or prophets of God operate in it is a load of yoghurt. The anointing is for you and me alike! It is designed to equip us for everyday life and is readily attainable and accessible to us. All we need is a clear understanding in order to begin to live in it.

Back to the million dollar question “What is the anointing?” The anointing is indistinguishable form, and synonymous with, the Holy Spirit. However, here are six things I have discovered:

(1) The anointing renders you holy, separating you to God for a particular work, function or service. Nelson’s Bible Dictionary says, to anoint is; to set apart or authorise a person for a particular work, function or service; to consecrate or dedicate a vessel for God’s use. The Hebrew ward ‘mashach’ refers to the ceremonial custom of rubbing or smearing with sacred oil in order to sanctify a holy person or holy things. Kings and priests in particular were installed in their offices by anointing. However, according to the New Testament, all Christians have an “anointing from the Holy Spirit,” implying that this anointing renders us holy, separating each of us to God for a particular work, function or service. Therefore, the precious gift of the Holy Spirit is the all sufficient means of enabling you to possess enough power and ability to fulfil your God-given destiny.

Quite simply, God’s Spirit anoints you for a particular and specific task, calling or office, and we must all fully appreciate this undeniable truth. Every believer has been made holy (sanctified) and then commissioned for a unique and specific service in the kingdom of God. Accordingly, the special and individual anointing you possess is a form of guarantee that the Holy Spirit will be present (when ever needed) to ensure that you are fully equipped for every good work.

(2) The anointing is infallible proof that you are called of God. You have been predestined to do great things. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand (predestined) that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). In Isaiah 61 the Lord makes this statement, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the 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.”

Jesus openly declared that the Spirit of God is resting upon Him because He has been anointed to preach, heal, deliver and restore. The anointing was proof of His specific and individual calling (as the Christ), and the Holy Spirit was therefore compelled to manifest Himself. Likewise, as we are all called of God, the Holy Spirit is obliged to manifest Himself in order to continue the works of Christ to the extent described in John 14:12, “The works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do because I go to My Father.”

You must constantly remind yourself that you are a holy, sanctified vessel anointed especially for God’s use. You must also be able to clearly identify the ministry or office that you are called to, or the particular work or function you perform in the Body of Christ. If you are a believer then you are anointed. You have been set apart or authorised (commissioned) by God Himself for service. It’s as simple as that! So remember, your calling is where your anointing lies, and this is where you will find the Holy Spirit’s manifest power and authority.

(3) The anointing provides you with an effective means by which you can receive divine revelation concerning the truth. 1 John 2:20 says, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” This does not mean absolute knowledge, and it is not that you will have perfect knowledge, but rather, the capacity to recognise what is true and what is not. Even the youngest believer has the capacity of discernment in divine matters that an unsaved philosopher would not have.

“The anointing you have received from Him abides in you…” (1 John 2:27).” The anointing already resides in you; therefore, to receive spiritual knowledge under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is to know truth in a way that human instruction cannot provide. This type of anointing always brings forth truth or revelation concerning the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” God’s word is anointed on its own; however, it still takes a specific anointing from God’s Spirit to enable you to receive fresh inspiration. So treasure the anointing that abides in you! Cherish the fact that the anointed Word can be accessed via the anointing that abides in you, and whenever you can, apply it on others like anointing oil. Take the inspiration you have received and rub it in or spread it over their minds, emotions or physical bodies. Then watch it flow into every crevice and into every dark place or situation in their lives. Remember, an anointed word can break every yoke of bondage and set the captives free.

(4) The anointing is the mighty power of God that overcomes the devil. Every Christian needs a good “smearing” of this power for battle. If you do not have the anointing in your life, everything you do will be void of the very power necessary to overcome. Overcomers are God’s champions! So, why not tap into the anointing? Not just a little, abut a lot. Be like the Psalmist who said, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over” (Psalm 23:5). God has provided an anointing that completely covers you with His protection, but He also wants the anointing to be flowing (in abundance) out of you. This action, when performed in the midst of battle, terrifies the enemy and causes him to run away confused. For are we not “more than conquerors,” and don’t we “rule and reign in this life?”

There are people out there who need you to be anointed with the power to overcome the enemy. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by (under the power of) the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:38). God is with you too! So who can come against His anointed? Who can oppose His mighty anointing?

(5) The anointing is the Holy Spirit’s personality. Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we may ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” The New Living Translation says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” The mighty power that’s at work in us, doing infinitely more than we can imagine, is the blessed Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a person and the anointing is His personality! In this respect, the anointing is an endowment of all the inherent characteristics, qualities and virtues of the Holy Spirit.

The anointing, when it manifests, is the supernatural act of applying (as with oil) everything that makes up the Holy Spirit’s personality. It is a smearing of all His unique characteristics onto your natural being. It’s His divine makeup overshadowing you - clothing you with His virtues, His power and His inspiration. Whatever you previously performed in your own abilities, you can now do “super” naturally (above all natural ability).

Notice, because you have been smeared with the anointing, whatever you do in life can be done in His ability and produce outstanding results. The anointing of the Holy Spirit guarantees you victory and success at all times. It is the source of power for every Christian and, tragically it is the element most frequently missing from our daily lives. Two Christians can have the same faith, know the same scriptures and even have the same goal - yet one will succeed and the other will fail. They both have all the right spiritual equipment, but only the one with the power running through his life (the power of the anointing), will prevail. The anointing is your guaranteed victory - so don’t leave home without it!

(6) The anointing is the overshadowing power which God uses to bring forth life. With the anointing conception is guaranteed! And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

The angel Gabriel gave Mary a clear and simple explanation as to how this impossible thing would become possible: the power of the Highest would overshadow her. The overshadowing power that comes from the Holy Spirit is the power of the anointing. When things are void of life and God wishes to make the impossible possible, He will manifest the divine power to conceive - the creative power of His anointing.

In Genesis 1:2 we find the Holy Spirit moving to and fro upon the face of the waters (overshadowing the earth’s bareness). In this verse we are given the visual impression that He is ready and poised to bring God’s “words of creation” to pass. The Holy Spirit’s presence demonstrated God’s intention to conceive; to literally make something out of nothing!

Whatever impossibilities you are facing today, be rest assured that the same power is ready and able to overshadow you and bring forth life. The anointing to conceive is available right now! In order to fulfil destiny, Mary needed conception in her whom. But you may need conception in your ministry, your home, your business, your finances or any other part of your life.

You know that you can’t make it happen on your own - in your own power. Therefore, if you lay aside your own knowledge, plans and ideas, and humble yourself under God’s hand, conception is guaranteed. Why? Because you’ve placed yourself in a position to be clothed with, and overshadowed by, the creative power of God. You have direct access to the anointing, and it is this anointing that will get the results you are looking for. The anointing will cause you to give birth to whatever is necessary for you to fulfil your destiny.

Chris Demetriou, 22/04/2007