The Lion's ArmySample

Way #3: Anointing

God the Holy Spirit gives us the anointing.

The Holy Spirit offers every Christian the anointing, which is spiritual power, or the ability to act with His supernatural help. The Scriptures speak openly of this power, which Jesus exemplified.

"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." —Acts 10:38

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." —Acts 1:8

"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." —1 John 2:27

Approval from the Father is the right to be, and delegated authority from Jesus is the right to act. Now, we learn that anointing from the Holy Spirit is the ability to act. This means the Spirit provides us with the spiritual wisdom and power necessary to live a supernatural existence. No wonder Jesus called the Holy Spirit “the Helper” (John 14:26). He helps us be who the Father created us to be and do what Jesus has called us to do. God qualifies, Jesus authorizes, and the Holy Spirit empowers.

So, what is anointing?

There are several Greek words for anointing used in the New Testament. The following is a basic summary of their meanings as they relate to our lives. The word anointing means the pouring on of oil or the rubbing in of ointment. Physically, it’s similar to applying lotion to your dry hands to soften them again. Spiritually, though, anointing symbolizes the refreshment and empowerment provided by God’s Spirit as special endowments (or as supernatural enabling). Through the anointing, the Holy Spirit also consecrates us, or sets us apart, for specific positions and functions within the body of Christ.

Sometimes, the anointing manifests as spiritual electricity—the spiritual energy that powers everything in the kingdom of heaven. At least that energy is a major part of it. The anointing is also associated with the Holy Spirit’s divine presence, meaning that you’ll find anointing wherever the Spirit is moving and in whatever the Spirit is involved in.

Felt awareness of the Spirit’s presence is difficult to describe. We can feel it individually or in groups. However, we witness the effects of His presence in various ways. We may feel a compelling urgency to tell someone about Jesus and then experience special boldness to do it. When we lay hands on someone who is sick and pray for them, we may feel tingling or heat in our hands and then see the person miraculously healed.

The anointing is power, and we can experience the presence of that power in tangible ways.

In gatherings, for example, believers are often moved to weep, laugh, or enter into a holy silence without the help of any natural stimulus. Some people may shake uncontrollably or fall on the floor. Others can become animated with joy or abundance of energy. Wherever God’s glory is, it will be accompanied by spiritual anointing.

In my experience and ministry, the anointing seems to manifest in different ways according to what the Holy Spirit wants to accomplish. There are distinct anointings for distinct purposes. I’ve learned over time how to tell what the Spirit is doing by the anointing that is present. Worship, teaching, salvation, healing, and prophecy each carry a different anointing. I’ve found the same to be true of each charismatic gift of the Spirit that’s in operation.

We can expect the Holy Spirit’s anointing to be in us and upon us for everything we’re called to do. In the Word, we see indications that the anointings within us empower us to walk in the Spirit and supernaturally deal with external circumstances. Learning to be sensitive to the anointing is key if we are to work with it and not against it.