What is the Anointing?

What is the Anointing?

 

The Bible teaches that we cannot do God’s work in our own power.  We need the Holy Spirit’s power working through us to get the job done - to meet needs and change situations.  Another name for the Holy Spirit’s power is the “anointing”.  We receive the indwelling Holy Spirit when we believe in Christ.  But we can receive more of the Spirit in our lives if we want. The anointing or the Holy Spirit power is a gift given to us from God.  But we need to receive and maintain the gift – (the power of God in our lives) if we want to follow Christ.  We receive the anointing or the Holy Spirit’s power by asking God for it.  He promises to give us more of the Holy Spirit if we ask. 

 

Jesus said: “Which of you parents, if your child asks for a fish, will give her a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, being imperfect parents know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”  (Luke 11:11-13)  So God, our heavenly Father will give us more of His Spirit if we ask.  If we desire to have it.

 

And we maintain the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives by constantly going back to God who is the Source.  We go back to God and receive more.  It would seem that spiritual power is an outflow of communion with God.  Scripture says that we need to be constantly refilling ourselves with His Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18b) When we read the story of Jesus’ life in Scripture we find that after He spent a long day healing the sick and ministering to the crowds He would steal away and pray and spend time with God.   

 

According to Scripture, Jesus did not perform any healings or miracles until the power of the Spirit came upon Him.  Jesus said these words: “I do nothing on my own but speak only what the Father has taught Me.  The One who sent Me is with Me: He has not left Me alone and I always do what pleases Him.”  (John 8:28b) The source of Jesus’ ministry was the power or anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

 

It would seem like the Bible describes the power of the Holy Spirit as sometimes like a tangible substance.  When the woman who had had a bleeding issue in her body for many years just touched the hem of Jesus’ robe, Scripture says that Jesus could feel the power of God go out from Him to heal her.  (Mark 5) 

 

Also, the anointing or the Holy Spirit can be transferred, flowing from one person to another.  The power of the Holy Spirit is right there in the person who is anointed and it can flow out to heal another person.  When a believer wants more of the power of the Holy Spirit, another Christian with that anointing can lay hands on the believer and pray and often the power from the one believer can be passed to the other. Jesus’ healing power was sometimes passed on that way to sick people who touched Him and were healed. . Scripture says: “The people brought all of their sick to Him (Jesus) and asked Him to let the sick just touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed.” 

 

How do we release the anointing of God to operate?  Scripture says that the anointing is released by faith.  To learn to operate in the anointing is to learn to walk in faith.  If faith is not present then the power of the Holy Spirit cannot work.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.  So faith is all important.

 

We can build up our faith by fellowshipping with other Christians.  By going to a Bible believing church and staying away from churches that water down or tear down the faith.  There are church leaders that believe they are too intelligent to believe the Bible to be God’s Word.  And other church leaders who are more political than Christian. These people are wolves in sheep’s clothing!  They pretend to be the sheep -(God’s children) but often are really wolves – (out to destroy the sheep) (Matthew 7:15) And watch out for unloving judgmental churches!  They can be a problem too.  Stay away from these places and people and books.  Your faith probably will not grow in these environments.

 

 But don’t give up!  Keep on looking for a church that worships God!  A church where you can grow your faith!  And a loving church where you can belong! Don’t give up looking.  Ask God to show you where you should go and trust Him to lead you. The Bible tells us not to neglect the fellowship of other believers.  (Hebrews 10:25) You need other Christians in order to grow and they need you.

 

 Also, we strengthen our faith by studying the Bible, God’s Word.  Scripture says: “Faith comes by hearing. Hearing the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) It is important to learn God’s Word as it builds up our precious faith.  We can not only learn what God’s Word says, but we can obey it.  We can also build up our faith by doing God’s work.  Step out in obedience to minister and watch God’s power at work through you.  Scripture says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13)  

 

 

Our faith in Christ is so valuable – so precious.  We need to protect it and do what we can to help it grow. We can grow more faith by asking God for more.  He will always answer that prayer.  The Bible tells us: “If any of you lack wisdom, he or she should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him or her.” (James 1:5)

 

A friend of mine wanted to be able to pray for healing for her loved ones and friends and see people made whole and well again.  To have more of God’s healing power in her. Her faith was strengthened by this verse in James 1:5 so she asked God for the gift of healing. She asked for more power to pass on His healing to the sick. Gradually she began to see more and more people made well when she lovingly prayed for them.

 

 The verse before James 1:5 reads: “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” (James 1:4) God doesn’t want His children to lack anything to do their work. The word “perseverance” means “keeping on.” And “not giving up.”   We need to keep on asking God for what we want and need.  And we need to keep on trusting Him.

 

You may wonder what work God has for you to do. Most ministry begins by reaching out to people we meet: loved ones, friends, coworkers, neighbors, relatives. We can pray for them, love them, help them.  And we can meet their needs in the love and power of God and be a witness to His love and power. And your church may have a ministry for you. The Bible tells us that God has prepared good works in advance for us to do.  (Ephesians 2:10) Isn’t it exciting to be a part of God’s mysterious plan? 

 Some of the truths in this blog were taken from Robert Heidler's book, "Experiencing the Spirit"