DELIBERATELY PURSUING GOD
PART 35
KNOWING YOUR ANOINTING

All of us in our spiritual journey have thought about our personal calling in God’s Kingdom ministry and wondered if we are working in our predestined field. Through trial and error we learn how God has called us to “flow” in certain areas and this effectiveness is a sign that we are anointed to that particular labor. In first John the second chapter he states that we have an ability to know our calling. “But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” If you are willing to do what God calls you to do, He will not only create in you the desire to do HIS will, but He will also furnish the anointing to get HIS job done. “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and will be in you.” John 14:16-17.

As we have said before everyone is not called to be a pastor, teacher, prophet, apostle etc… but everyone is called (and anointed) to a specific spiritual responsibility. The worship team is a perfect example where the gifts, talents and abilities for music are evident to prove the calling for this particular ministry. It is true that talent is not needed for a person to worship God! The ability to skillfully play an instrument or to sing melodies and harmonies in perfect key is not required to exalt and glorify the Almighty. You can lay on your face all day in intimate worship to Him and you can put on the garment of praise and dance before Him until you become so exhausted you collapse without ANY musical gifts. But this is not the same as being called and “anointed” to LEAD others into worship. It is obvious and disappointing to witness someone trying to force their desire to labor in a field they are not anointed to work in. We purchase and listen to our favorite singers, preachers and worship groups not just because they have good intentions – but because they are highly skilled and anointed to produce the ministry that applies “oil” to our soul. The ministry is not a place where anyone can do “whatever they like” in their flesh, but it is a divine puzzle that fits together perfectly only when each piece finds its designated place.

Let us stop for a minute and examine the anointing more closely. Unction is another term used for anointing that refers to being rubbed down, covered and insulated that renders the individual holy, separating them to God. There are several different verbs in the Greek that describe the word anointing. One is ALEIPHO which is a general term used to describe an application of refreshing oil to the head and feet after washing or to apply ointment to the sick or to apply spices to the dead.

The Greek noun CHRIO is confined to sacred holy oil with a spiritual symbolical anointing; a synonym of the person of the Holy Spirit, of the oil of gladness, and the literal confirming ceremony that applies oil to kings, priest and prophets. The declaration of being filled with the Holy Spirit applied to believers and of course the title of Christ as the Anointed One. This word also reveals how the gift of the Holy Spirit is the all- efficient means of enabling believers to possess knowledge of the truth of God’s word through illumination and revelation.

Learn to “draw” from the anointing that abides in you and you will not be deceived or confused about your decisions or direction. We do not walk exclusively from our head wisdom but we must learn to see and feel with our spirit man. Learn to lean from the Holy Spirit by confessing daily that you have the wisdom of God and that you know the difference between what is of God and what is from the world and human nature. Pray that you can become more aware of the Holy Spirit every minute so that He can guide you even in the small things. That is how we DEVELOP SENSITIVITY to our anointing and a “perception” for direction. When facing times when you must make crucial decisions just stop and ask yourself, “What is it that I really feel deep down in my spirit?” James 1:5 say’s, “If any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask…” Jesus said in John 16:24 “…ask and you will receive…” And in John 2:27 it say’s, “…the same anointing teaches you of all things…” If you are sold out to God and are willing to trust the anointing, many times the desire you have in your heart IS the wisdom of God. We miss the beauty and blessings of God’s provision when we think manifestations of the Spirit and anointings are “only” available concerning spiritual matters of ministry. We have been given the anointing to know God’s direction for ALL choices, thoughts, ideas and decisions in our everyday life. “A man’s heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs16:9. Jesus said in John 14: 26, “But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you ALL things, and bring ALL things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you.”

First Corinthians 12:14-25 is a wonderful passage that reveals how God anoints people for “one of a kind” purposes with unique and different ministries. Many have become entangled with frustration because they have drifted from their calling to try and be like someone else. Some may listen to teachers and singers and dream of being like them and practice imitating them only to discover the “well” is dry. We cannot minister without God’s anointing and He will not bless our agenda or our program just because we built it. It is not our life, our ministry or our destiny! We are chosen, created, purchased and given a pre-determined mission to accomplish called: “God’s perfect “personal” will for our life.” It is not divine order for God to bless our plans but rather it is for us to seek His face and find HIS will, then to work hard to obey, accomplish and fulfill HIS vision for us. In Psalm 37:4, David said “Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The Lord is saying that if you will place HIS WILL as the highest priority in your life, His word will CREATE the desires of your heart. And your love and energy will be directed by the Holy Spirit rather than by your own imaginations.

I also believe many step out into their ministry before the Lord has given them the green light. They may have sensed the anointing and others may comment or give words of encouragement but there is also a time table with the Lord’s perspective of maturity and divine appointments. It is also very important to remember humility with our anointing and to not think more highly of our abilities than we ought to think. If we know our calling and operate in that anointing, others will be aware of it and we will not need to advertise. On the other hand if we are laboring in the wrong field without the anointing it will be just as obvious to everyone who has spiritual discernment.

“Now we have received, NOT the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God…he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2-12, 15-16