I want to speak directly to the body of Christ concerning the anointing. Volumes have been written about the anointing, most of which is nothing more than emphasizing our desperate dependence upon God’s enablement in our lives and ministry. I agree the
anointing is: God doing in and through us what we could never do ourselves. It is the precious person, power and presence of God’s Spirit making us better than we are, and able to accomplish those “greater things”-things only God can do.
A Pastor’s Concern
My concern is twofold. Only one of which I will discuss at this time. First, that the body of Christ has lost sight of the difference between charisma and the precious anointing of God, and therefore, so easily falls prey to the works of the enemy in the church. Second, that those who possess the anointing do so in ignorance, and therefore are in danger. It is this latter concern I wish to explore.
It Is God Who Anoints
It is God’s choice to anoint. We see this all through the Old Testament, in prophets, priests and kings, especially in the words of Isaiah 61 read by Jesus Himself. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for the Lord has anointed Me.”
It is not our works, but His will. It is not our righteousness, but the riches of His inheritance.
It Is His Anointing
It is His anointing. God always has a purpose for the anointing, and it is to bring glory to God. The anointing is to preach, heal, deliver, recover, etc., that no flesh should glory in God’s presence and that the faith of men should be in God, not in men.
The Danger of the Anointing
The anointing can be dangerous if we do not recognize it is for God’s call and purpose, not ours, and for His Glory, not ours. Look at Lucifer in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14. He was anointed! The anointed cherub! The morning star! Notice this anointing came from God, and yet one third of the angels who lived in God’s presence, followed this anointing. Lucifer used it for himself and desired a greater position. I will. I will. I will. It was the abuse of his anointing that led to his fall.
Remember Uzzah!
Behold, man or woman of God the anointing God has given you can be dangerous and could lead to a fall. * Remember the Ark of the Covenant and Uzzah! * (2 Samuel 6:3– 11)
U N T I L
Reevaluating The Anointing
The word of God says of Lucifer U N T I L iniquity was found in him. Iniquity means to pervert, mischief or moral evil. Now listen to these two statements and reevaluate the anointing in your life. Anointing and Character Are not Synonymous
A. Your anointing can take you where your character can’t keep you!
The word anointed means expansion: to stretch out or to spread out. In other words, your gift can make room for you in an area you are not spiritually strong enough to handle.
1. King Saul had the anointing of a king and a prophet. He assumed (as did Lucifer) he could fill the position of priest as well. WRONG! Saul also used the anointing for himself to gather people to himself. At that moment, God lifted his anointing, and Saul never received it again. (1Samuel 13:1-14)
2. David’s gift moved him to a place where people told him to stay home and they would fight for him. BUT, that was not David’s calling. He was a warrior. It was at this moment David fell with Bathsheba. Praise God, David did not lose his anointing. (2 Samuel 12:1– 23)
Mercy Is Not Approval
B. Don’t mistake God’s mercy for God’s approval. It is the goodness of God that should
bring repentance in our lives (Romans 2:4). God will allow us opportunity to correct our abuse of His precious gift. Many ministers have failed to realize that just because God’s anointing remains does not mean He condones sin. Our challenge is to stay in our calling, and within the boundaries of our character. Remember John’s exhortation in 3 John 2, “Prosper even as your soul prospers.” Don’t wait for an U N T I L to come. Those who follow us will get destroyed in the fall, and we will be accountable.
Truly Armed and Dangerous
When the anointing is kept in perspective, Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” becomes a reality for every
believer and a fatality to every demon. Then, we are truly anointed a World Outreach Center Sermons – Oneonta, AL