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What the Anointing is Not (Part 2)
Rev. Tony Cooke

Last month we shared that the anointing is not…

I’d like to continue that lesson this month with four additional thoughts about “what the anointing is not.”

1. The Anointing is not a SOURCE OF SUPERIORITY.

Gordon Lindsay wrote, “Some spiritual moves have been blessed of God, and then suddenly have faded away because of the presumptuous and erratic conduct of certain leaders.  One such move occurred some years ago in America.  At first we rejoiced in this outpouring of the Spirit. But very soon we saw something develop that alarmed us.  Some of the leaders were claiming that they were the ‘Powerhouse’ and all other churches were ‘dried up.’  They said that people should come to them to get recharged. When we saw such bold pretensions, we realized that the usefulness of such leaders could not last long.”

Unfortunately, when some ministers begin to experience success or to flow effectively in a particular anointing, they begin to think more highly of themselves than they ought.  Other people sometimes put them on a pedestal.  Pride may begin to infect their life.  One person said, “Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it.”

It’s important to remember that the anointing of the Holy Spirit does not come upon a person to exalt that individual into some type of superior status.  The anointing is given so that others can be blessed.  The anointing is not given to create a celebrity, but to empower a servant!

None of these things are done merely for the exaltation of the minister, but for the rendering of effective service to God’s people and to the lost.  Ministers who forget the purpose of the anointing and begin to exploit the ministry as an opportunity for self-promotion may experience a season of apparent success, but will ultimately end up on the spiritual junk-heap.

2. The Anointing is not SYNONYMOUS WITH A STRONG PERSONALITY.

In the natural, there are certain entertainers and political figures that have very strong and captivating personalities.  Such leaders are often described as “charismatic.”  Such personalities can be dominant, persuasive, charming, and even intimidating.

Sometimes, there is even an element of demonic influence that will come over a person, enabling him to exert incredible control and influence over large groups of people.  Hitler would be an extreme example of this.  Certain unsaved rock stars and entertainers have commented about “something that comes over them” when they get on stage.

Christian leaders who tend to have strong personalities should use caution to not confuse their own personality with the anointing.  The anointing is not given to enable us to dominate, dictate, or to push our own agenda, but to lead and to guide in the Spirit of Christ.

Paul referred to, “…the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.” (2 Corinthians 13:10).  Paul certainly had a strong personality, but he was careful to keep his motives and methods right as he sought godly results.

3. The Anointing is not TO BE MEASURED BY THE EXTERNAL RESPONSE OF PEOPLE.

Jesus said (John 7:24), “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”  Paul asked (2 Corinthians 10:7), “Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?” 

Ministers sometimes have the tendency to evaluate the level of anointing by nothing more than the external response (or reaction) of those listening.  We might assume if a group is verbally responsive, that automatically means we’re really anointed, but if they’re quiet that means they’re not receiving anything.  In reality, a quiet person might be absorbing much, while the more vocal person could be responding that way merely as a learned or conditioned response.  We all like to be enthusiastically received, but we need to remember that we’re not preaching to have our ego stroked.  We are ministering to impart life.  As a matter of balance, I heard one minister say, “The only time people say ‘amen’ is when you’re saying something they already know and agree with.”

Others might assume that if people fall in a prayer line that automatically means there is a strong anointing.  This has led some ministers (consciously or subconsciously) to push people in prayer lines.  We need to keep in mind that it’s faith, not falling, that brings healing and blessing.  I’ve actually had people tell me that they “faked” a fall in a prayer line because they knew the minister wouldn’t move on until they fell.  That’s sad!

Can there be outward (and genuine) results when the anointing is strong and people are cooperating with the Holy Spirit?  Certainly!  But I don’t believe that Jesus was any more anointed in John 6:2 when “a great multitude followed Him” than He was in John 6:66 when “many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.”  I don’t believe that Paul was necessarily more anointed when revival broke out than he was when a riot erupted.

4. The Anointing is not SOMETHING THAT BELONGS EXCLUSIVELY TO THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY.

Some preachers tend to focus exclusively on the side of the anointing that has to do with pulpit ministry, while neglecting the side of the anointing that has to do with the ministry of helps or with the anointing that resides in every believer.

Paul and John were talking to all believers when they said:

“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Cor. 1:21-22).

“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.)

It’s certainly appropriate to teach about the anointing associated with ministry gifts, but if believers end up thinking that preachers are the only ones that have any kind of anointing, then something very significant has been omitted.  The function of five-fold ministry gifts is important, but so is the priesthood of the believer.  The same Holy Spirit that empowers preachers is the same Holy Spirit who indwells believers!

There is not merely an anointing that distinguishes five-fold ministers from the laity, but there is also an anointing that unifies every believer, regardless of office or calling.  Our job is not to use our anointing to subjugate people or to cultivate their dependence upon ourselves, but to liberate and release them into a full relationship with God—to empower their priesthood.  In other words, my job as a teacher is not to make a believer more dependent upon me, but to make that believer more dependent on the Word and on Jesus.

SUMMARY

Our prayer is that this information will help you have greater understanding and be more discerning, and that it will also help you cooperate more fully with the Holy Spirit.  Keep in mind that the anointing is not:

 

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