Sharing or passing down the anointing?

In some modern charismatic churches, the word ‘anointing’ is frequently used. But what does this word mean? Let’s break it down.

In the Old Testament, “anointing” referred to an act of dedication, where individuals were set apart by God for a specific role or purpose. Prophets, priests, and kings were all anointed by God for their unique responsibilities within covenantal relationship, where God’s authority governed the nation of Israel.

• Priests were anointed to serve as mediators, bringing men to God and making atonement for sin through sacrifices.
• Prophets were anointed to deliver God’s word, acting as His messengers to the people.
• Kings were anointed to rule under God’s authority, serving as leaders who were meant to reflect God’s justice and righteousness.

This anointing was both a physical act and a divine empowerment for a particular task, emphasizing the recipient’s dedication to God’s service and the presence of His Spirit to guide them.

Further, several places in the Old Testament describe a ‘spiritual anointing’ in which it is said “the Spirit of God came upon-so and so, and he prophesied” or “the Spirit of God came upon-so and so, and he went and did this”, and sometimes it is said that “the Spirit of God departed.”

So when we speak of anointing in the Old Testament it is not something that occurred in the life of all who were children of God (who had been justified and declared righteous by faith). It was a unique ministry of the Spirit of God that enabled somebody to serve at a very particular level of spiritual service. Some of them spoke the very words of God.

But this is not how the modern day (New Testament) anointing is to be defined or depicted. According to Scripture, a Christian who has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit is anointed.

It isn’t a feeling, or a buzz, or some transcendent experience – it is reality.

1 John 2:20 (NKJV)

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

There aren’t just a few Christians who receive this special anointing, but it’s for all Christians. Some people have a bad habit of dividing Christians into classes based on those who have a special or super anointing and those who don’t. We use phrases such as “they are so anointed” which is totally incorrect.

If you are in Christ, you are anointed and there is no division of classes within Christianity. We are all equal and one in Christ Jesus, and our place or level is at the foot of the cross.

In the past, the word anointed has been used to fool and manipulate people by using their emotions so they think the false teacher is above everyone else, who has a unique source of authority, unique access to divine revelations & knowledge from the Holy Spirit, etc.

False teachers sometimes disregard the scriptures and place their anointing above the biblical authority, saying, “hey you don’t have to worry, because I have the anointing and God has spoken directly to me.”

What is true anointing?

A Christian’s anointing is essentially the promise of “illumination” from the Holy Spirit to understand the Word of God (Bible). The beauty of the promise is that we possess not only the Word but also the teacher and author of it.

This is true anointing, and this is why we don’t need to turn to human teachers / human wisdom to understand the truth of Scripture. This is clearly highlighted in verses 26 & 27.

1 John 2:26-27 (NKJV)

These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But 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.

Without understanding the Bible, we couldn’t live the Christian life, and the “natural man” doesn’t understand God’s things, which to them are foolishness. 

The scriptures also state that believers have the mind of Christ;

1 Corinthians 2:16 (NKJV)

For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Our difference from the world lies in the fact that we have the mind of Christ, and we have the Spirit within us to teach us the deep and profound truths of God.

In the New Testament era, the anointing is given (through the Spirit of God) to all believers at the moment of salvation. But if we are going to enjoy the fullness of what that means, we need to walk in the Spirit (Gal.5) which means obeying the will of God revealed in Scripture.

We should move away from the notion that preaching or serving in the kingdom requires a megadose of the Holy Spirit. Instead, we should focus on what the Word tells us to do;

• We are told to walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16, 25)
• We are told to let the word of Christ dwell richly in you. (Colossians 3:16)
• We are told to use our gifts. (1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
• We are told to be diligent to study the Scripture, to show ourselves approved unto God. (2 Timothy 2:15)
• We are told to preach the word in season and out of season. (2 Timothy 4:2)

We should live a life of service and thankfulness. We should understand that we have the fullness of the Spirit available within us and the fullness of His revelation as revealed in Scripture. There is no “more of Him” that we can or are required to get.

This is one of the serious errors of modern charismatic churches, suggesting that some people have only a little of the Holy Spirit, while others (mainly leaders) have more. But the Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit fully dwells within every believer.

It is not about how much of the Spirit is present, but how obedient are you to Him.

Touch not the Lord’s anointed

Psalm 105:15 (NKJV)

Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.”

1 Chronicles 16:22 (NKJV)

Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.”

Often times, these verses are quoted in modern church settings to warn against challenging or criticizing religious leaders or pointing out any errors in their theology or lifestyle or even prevent a biblical evaluation of their teachings. It is common for pastors or leaders to refer to themselves as “anointed ones”, implying that any opposition or challenge to them is equivalent to opposing God himself.

This of course protects them from scrutiny and allows them to spread falsehoods and bad theology without restraint.

While respect for church leaders is a biblical principle, this application takes the verse out of its historical context.

There is no implication that God’s “anointed ones” or “prophets” are above accountability or correction in this verse.

No matter how “anointed,” every leader must align with God’s word, and believers are responsible for distinguishing truth from error. There is no such thing as an untouchable preacher or leader.

Proper context

Chronicles 16:22 testifies to God’s protection of Israel during its formative stages and vulnerable times.

Psalm 105 further, recounts the history of the Israelites, celebrating God’s providence and care for His chosen people. Beginning with a call to worship and thanksgiving, it proceeds to recount the history of Abraham’s call, the escaping from Egypt, and the wanderings in the wilderness.

As a whole, the psalm recounts God’s faithfulness and mighty acts for Israel’s sake. It is a call to remember His wonderful deeds and the judgments He pronounced.

Background

During the Israelite ruling, it was forbidden to kill or commit violent acts against anointed kings or prophets.

This passage refers to the patriarchs (the line of men God used to establish Israel), Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When “they” (the patriarchs) were few in number, they lived as wandering strangers in a strange land (Hebrews 11:9). Through all their travels and ordeals, God protected them, increased their number, and prevented the powerful rulers of the land where they stayed from harming them.

As an example, God protected Abraham twice while staying in hostile nations whose kings desired his wife. Both kings spared Abraham and Sarah, dispatching them unharmed and even enriching them (Genesis 12 and 20). Isaac experienced the same thing (Genesis 26). Jacob arrived in Paddan Aram with nothing, but he left with vast riches (Genesis 31); after dealing with his unscrupulous Uncle Laban, Jacob said, “God has not allowed him to harm me.” (verse 7).

It is evident from 1 Chronicles 16:22 (and Psalm 105:15) that no one has the power to derail God’s plan; God had a plan for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He refused to let the kings of Canaan and Egypt harm them.

This concept is clearly illustrated in the previous verse (21);

1 Chronicles 16:21 (NKJV)

He permitted no man to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,

Patriarchs were God’s prophets and “anointed ones”, and they were chosen by God to accomplish a specific task.

David is a good example of a person who applied God’s command not to harm God’s anointed. In 1 Samuel, we learn that King Saul attempted to kill David, which led to him and his men being on the run. One night, David’s men attacked Saul’s army while they were sleeping. Seeing that they had the advantage over their enemies, Abishai suggested they kill Saul immediately. But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless? . . . As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down. . . . But the LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:9–11).

David understood that it is God who takes vengeance, not us (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19).

David recognized Saul as the Lord’s anointed and refused to harm  / kill him. David did humbly confront Saul with his sin, hoping to change his heart.

So taking all of this into consideration including the background of the text, God’s command “Do not touch my anointed ones; do no harm to my prophets” was addressed to a specific group of people for a specific period of time: the patriarchs who were preserved from physical harm by God.

Application for today.

The fact is that all believers are anointed by God. God has set each of us apart for the work He is doing in this world.

1 John 2:20 (NKJV)

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NKJV)

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

All believers are God’s anointed, so does this mean that His command “Do not touch my anointed ones” protects us from all harm? No, believers still suffer the effects of living in a fallen world. Yet, believers are aware that God is in complete control, and He can easily protect them —if not physically, certainly our eternal souls.

Anything that happens to them is allowed by Him. Without God’s explicit permission, Even Satan cannot touch God’s children (see Job 1:12; 2:6). Therefore, we put our trust in God at all times. Regardless of what happens in our lives, we trust in God to equip, empower, and protect us to fulfill His plan.