anointed

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.

Charlie 27 You can’t grow up with the greatest fisherman, and not learn something about the business of fishing. One Friday night, Dad and I were in the creek catching crawdads. I was holding the lantern. While I was looking around the rocks for bait, I felt something touch my left leg. It was a snake. I froze.

Then I called out to my father, “Dad, I have a snake next to my left leg.”

“Okay, just a minute,” he said.

After he picked up a couple of more, prize brown bass winning bait, he slipped in behind me and grabbed the snake by the tail and slung it! The next morning, I was telling my mother about the adventure when she said, “Son, did your father happen to mention, snakes are drawn to light? That’s why he wanted you to carry the lantern.”

Another thing I have learned about light is this, it attracts flying insects. Pest. If you have a fly in your house, and you are having trouble getting it, turn out every light except one, and it will come to you. That’s when you kill it.

As a devoted servant of God, we are the light of the world. If your light is shining bright enough, you will attract snakes, vipers, and pest! It is important to know how to respond to them:

Learn to identify them quick, for what they are. They might, at first, even be a friend.
Know they are there to disrupt you, or hinder you, from accomplishing what God has called you to do.
Do not be afraid of them! They are antagonist. “Every great story has one.” (Rev. Joel Budd)
Speak out loud, and declare you are doing the work of God.

“Then I gave them my report: “Face it: we’re in a bad way here. Jerusalem is a wreck; its gates are burned up. Come—let’s build the wall of Jerusalem and not live with this disgrace any longer.” I told them how God was supporting me and how the king was backing me up.

They said, “We’re with you. Let’s get started.” They rolled up their sleeves, ready for the good work.

When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they laughed at us, mocking, “Ha! What do you think you’re doing? Do you think you can cross the king?”

I shot back, ‘The God-of-Heaven will make sure we succeed. We’re his servants and we’re going to work, rebuilding. You can keep your nose out of it. You get no say in this—Jerusalem’s none of your business!’” Nehemiah 2:17-20 (The Message)

You are anointed for whatever God has laid on your heart to do. Now go do it with excellence. Don’t you dare diminish your light, so as not to draw vipers, who only want to hurt you, or flies, who are there to annoy you. Also, don’t forget, you can call out to your Father in heaven anytime, to help you deal with a snake.

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

The Anointed

Light