Faith
The “Anointing”
In the NKJV we find the words of 1 John 2:27 which tell you and me;
“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.”
There are only two times in all of the New Testament when the word “anointing” is used and both of them are here in this one verse. It’s not by mistake that the word is used only two times and each time is right here. Had the word been used several times in any of the other books of the New Testament it would be exceedingly difficult to “get a handle” on it, if you will. God has kept it to a minimum and for good reasons.
“Anoint” is used 5 times and this too has been kept to a manageable number, so to speak. The question I have and the reason for this article is this; how is it that some have come to believe that some man who exercised great influence over them is anointed more than any other?
I have heard people say things such as; “The anointing was really powerful on him.” Or “The anointing was really powerful last night.” I see the look in their eyes and I hear the tone of their voice and it almost sounds as if “that man” has been elevated; as if, because of some teaching, he is no longer a man but a god.
I admit it sounds good and from outward appearances it even looks right. But is it accurate for us to say an eloquent and skillful speaker is somehow “above” those who’ve come to hear him? I don’t believe that I am the only one who has seen some man prancing around the people, behaving himself as if he were a “cut above.” I’ve seen it and quite frankly it is repulsive.
What makes it even harder to write about is knowing a man believes himself to be “something” is not so much what you see, but what you sense.
The only way I can think of to describe it is by saying that those who think of themselves more highly than they should (Romans 12:3) is that there is an attitude displayed that gives the distinct impression that the “anointed” are exempt from humility.
An added dimension to this has been brought to my attention and not just mine, but to the attention of the whole world. There is an event taking place every night, right here in my hometown. Although they refer to it as a Revival, I don’t necessarily believe that much is being revived, other than some man’s income.
Be that as it may, there are people flying to Lakeland, Florida from all over the world to see, to hear the “anointed one” and to receive something from him by being in this place.
What makes this incredible are the words of Jesus on this very subject where He says in Mark 13:21, “And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not…” and what does “Christ” literally mean? The title of Christ means “the anointed one.”
Allow me to paraphrase this verse and see if this applies;
“And then if any man shall say to you, here is the anointing, a man anointed by God; or, over there in Lakeland is a man with the anointing. Let’s go there!”
Folks are coming from around the world even though Jesus said to not believe such reports. They are coming by the thousands.
The man leading the event posted on his website that there would be one night for the “fire anointing” and the next night would be for the “prophetic anointing.” His teachings are the proverbial “greased pig” of the bible; because he says such things (bible in hand) that it’s nearly impossible to call him to answer for his beliefs.
If I were to go to the Lakeland Center and ask him where he got the notion of a “fire anointing” he would quickly open his bible to chapter and verse to that place he believes justifies the message. There is no way to “pin him down” with the truth of the scriptures, because he truly believes that what he is saying and doing is sanctioned by God Himself.
There are hundreds of things that men may do (and have done) and they do it after hours of reading the bible. But, just because something is in the bible does not automatically mean that what we say or do is the “heart of the Father” in that particular matter. Even the Pharisees used their “bibles” and we all remember the heartache they caused by their actions and beliefs.
The “revival” (I put the word in parentheses because it is never used in the New Testament) caused me some concern when I first read about it in the local newspaper. It also poised a personal dilemma when I’d learned that many people had been healed.
How can you discount the teachings about a “fire anointing” or “prophetic anointing” when there appears to be that “confirming the word with signs and wonders” teaching? I couldn’t dismiss the reality of those healings.
As I wrestled with this thought, the Lord (who promised we’d hear His voice) asked me a simple question. I heard Him ask “Where are the other nine?” I was, if you will, shocked into a blessing.
How many of those folks who have been healed will return to the Healer to give thanks? How many of those ministered to will remain in His presence out of gratefulness of heart to Him? I don’t have the answer to that, no one does.
But, what I do have the “answer” to is that even though there were healings and although there is the possibility that 90% of those healed will not return to the Healer and remain there with Him, none of this can diminish Him. On the contrary, it magnifies Him!
He’ll heal those who will have nothing to do with Him afterwards!
“Revival”, healings, “fire anointing” or “prophetic anointing” or what have you; if a man is anointed (and we all are), but if a man thinks he is somehow a cut above the rest of us and that those healings and anointings come because he thinks this of himself, there is one undeniable truth in the midst of their heresy.
Jesus Christ is faithful, He is the anointed One and because He lives inside of you and me, we are anointed. But, it’s not a matter of our being anointed that matters most. Not at all, what matters most is that our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
If you are a son, if you are a daughter don’t trouble yourself by looking for something as temporary as “the anointing.” Anointing was simply the outward ritual performed on a man who’d been chosen by God for some particular calling.
Well, you’ve been chosen and your calling is to worship Him. We make the awful mistake of believing that our highest calling is to teach others or to preach the gospel. Not at all, the highest (and the only) calling is to worship Jesus Christ. Teaching and preaching are the offspring of worship.
Don’t pack your bags and come to Florida either. The anointed One lives inside of you. He can do for you there what you only think a man must do for you here.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1403 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Don Beers or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1403 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.