The Work Of The Anointing

The Work Of The Anointing

“As for you, the anointing [the special gift, the preparation] which you received from Him remains [permanently] in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But just as His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit] about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as His anointing has taught you, you must remain in Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him].”

1 John 2:27 AMP

In our previous post “Success or Faithfulness: God’s Choice”, we emphasized the importance of being faithful to God’s calling and avoiding the desire for quick success. Today, we will delve into the subject of how to know God’s will and remain true to it every day. Our reference point in this discussion is the passage in 1 John 2:27, which centers on the anointing.

Understanding The Nature Of Anointing

For many, the anointing is understood in the context of the visible manifestation of people falling over or oil being poured on a person’s head to initiate them into an office. In the new testament the anointing goes beyond an external influence but much more. There is the anointing upon us and the anointing within us. The anointing upon helps us to do God’s work. The anointing within helps us to become – It is the guide and tutor given to the believer that leads us to walk in our calling. It is a special gift that not only sets us apart for God but also helps us to mature in our faith and service in God. Contrary to popular belief, the anointing is not exclusive to the clergy but is available to everyone who believes in Christ. John was writing to all believers. We are the anointed ones – The Royal Priesthood in Christ.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

When we believe in Christ, we are baptized into his essence – the anointing. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth and reveal things to us (John 16:13). Apostle Paul also affirmed that the Holy Spirit reveals things to us even the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). Therefore, the Holy Spirit is the anointing that teaches us.

As believers, we are constantly exposed to many voices and opinions in the world. However, God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us and bear witness with our spirit so that we can discern His voice and follow His leading. To do this, we must be willing to listen and obey the inner voice of the Holy Spirit.

Discerning God’s Voice – A Personal Experience

Sometimes, we may hear a message, or teaching or receive a counsel that does not resonate with our spirit. It may not necessarily be wrong, but it might not be meant for us at that particular time. Just like movies having different ratings, some are to be watched with parental guidance(PG) and some are inappropriate for certain age groups, the anointing in us determines our spiritual “ratings”. As a teenager, I read a Christian journal written by a well-respected minister. In one of his articles, he talked about carrying the cross of Christ daily very descriptively. However, after reading it, I felt quite depressed and discouraged because I thought I wasn’t as dedicated to my faith as I should be. I went to bed feeling sad that night. Early in the morning, I felt a divine presence in my room like in a dream. It felt like an Angel who spoke to encouraged me and helped me understand the message in the article. When I woke up, I felt much better and more confident in my faith. I believe this was the work of the Holy Spirit to guide into the truth of the message.

Avoiding Comparison

We should not compare ourselves with others but listen to the Holy Spirit, who knows exactly what level of knowledge and experience we need at each stage of our lives. As a believer, you don’t have to feel alone or despondent. Jesus promised us another Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit. He is our Helper, Teacher, Counselor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby. The Holy Spirit is the anointing that teaches us and He does not compare us with other Christians.

Learning from Jesus

Jesus was called the child of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit taught Him what He needed to know at each stage of His life. Similarly, God wants the same for us. Therefore, we must learn to listen to the inner voice and act on it. The more we listen, the more we are trained to hear Him. Then, we can develop our human spirit to be a true guide with the Holy Spirit bearing witness that we are truly God’s offspring.