Question: “What is the anointing? What does it mean to be anointed?”
Answer: The origin of anointing was from a practice of shepherds. Lice and other insects would often get into the wool of sheep, and when they got near the sheep’s head, they could burrow into the sheep’s ears and kill the sheep. So, ancient shepherds poured oil on the sheep’s head. This made the wool slippery, making it impossible for insects to get near the sheep’s ears because the insects would slide off. From this, anointing became symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment.
The New Testament Greek words for “anoint” are chrio, which means “to smear or rub with oil” and, by implication, “to consecrate for office or religious service”; and aleipho, which means “to anoint.” In Bible times, people were anointed with oil to signify God’s blessing or call on that person’s life (Exodus 29:7; Exodus 40:9; 2 Kings 9:6; Ecclesiastes 9:8; James 5:14). A person was anointed for a special purpose—to be a king, to be a prophet, to be a builder, etc. The enemy, Satan, does not like it when people get anointed, take it seriously, and get busy accomplishing a thing for God.
In modern times, those who activate their anointing, and operate in its power and purpose, attract attention. Recently, a friend was telling me about his day, and how four specific people reacted to the anointing God has upon his life. The more we talked about these 4 individuals we labeled each according to their response to his anointing:
Touch the Anointed: In the morning, while sitting in a coffee shop, a young boy came in. After the youth looked around, he sat at the very table of my friend without an invitation to, and interacted with him. The owner said he had seen the boy once before, but he had never sat with a stranger, and interact with them. The young boy just wanted to sit for a while, in the presence of one, who sits in the presence of God.
Resent the Anointed: Later in the day, while at work, my friend said he kept getting strange and somewhat evil looks from his boss. Let’s just say, his boss has chosen a lifestyle that is not pleasing to God. No doubt sensing the anointing, my friend walks around with, forces him to see or feel something his own spirit man cries out for, but the reality is this, he’s not willing to let go of the shortcut to love Satan has presented him with.
Distract the Anointed: On his way home, he passed a young woman on the sidewalk, only to hear a noise as he did. When he turned he saw she had fallen. He took a step back to help her up. His flesh noticed she was fairly nice looking. When she reached up she took hold of his forearm and held onto it for a while, even after getting up. He didn’t allow her appearance, distract his purpose, for God.
Arrest the Anointed: That same night, he crossed the road in the middle of a block only to be stopped by a policeman. He thought for sure he was going to get taken in to the station. He gave the officer what ID he could, and that seemed to satisfy. He was told he was free to go. What God has taught him, in the last year, about giving up his rights kept his mouth shut, for he knew he had done nothing wrong, which in turn, kept him out of jail, and possibly would have stopped what God is doing through him to minister to others.
In one day, my friend’s anointing attracted attention. Note: Not one of those four individuals were invited! God’s touch is strong upon him. It drew one who was curious, one who was resenting, another, who wanted to distract him, knowingly or not, and the last, wanted to stop him. The only one successful, was the young boy, for his motive was pure.
Guard your anointing. Value it. God anoints your head with oil to keep those who want to harm you from succeeding. The only way they win, is if you assist them, but that doesn’t keep them from trying.
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
brady, mark a. 