Streams of the anointing

Bottom line: There are two basic streams of God’s anointing every child of God can function with. 

Teaching

The anointing of God is God’s power over the life of a man that can cause the man to accomplish supernatural works on earth. Two streams of God’s anointing function in the life of every believer and each has a specific function.

1. The anointing within you (in your spirit).

This is the anointing that every believer receives at salvation. It is called the anointing of 1 John 2:27

²⁷ But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

1 John 2:27

This anointing remains or abides within you (it doesn’t come and go but remains in your heart for eternity). It does not grow i.e. it does not increase nor decrease, but it produces growth in your spirit. It is meant for the spiritual growth of the Christian. This is the anointing Paul the apostle talks of in Ephesians 3:20

²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 

Ephesians 3:20

This anointing produces hunger for the Lord in our spirits. It produces the love for Jesus and hunger for the word of God. It functions within us for our growth. It sanctifies our spirit and empowers us within.

2. The anointing upon you (over your office and ministry).

This anointing is the anointing of Acts 1:8

⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Acts 1:8

This anointing is not for your personal life but for your office (ministry). It comes into operation when you get into active service in the kingdom of God in one of the following offices; teacher, pastor, evangelist, prophet, or apostle. It does not abide in you like the anointing of 1 John 2:27, but it comes upon you when the Lord wants to use you and lifts from you when you are done ministering. This anointing grows and it is in levels. Three levels of it can be seen in Acts 2, 4 and 5. It can be imparted to others, unlike the first one which cannot be imparted to others. This anointing can be felt, unlike the first one. It affects your emotions and your physical body, unlike the first one which affects your spirit only. This one does not abide forever, it can be lost. 

⁴⁶ And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

Luke 8:46

It can be weakened by the wrong atmosphere (atmosphere of unbelief).

¹⁹ Quench not the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

⁵ And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

⁶ And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

Mark 6:5-6

It can be amplified by worship. It intensifies with acts of boldness, not timidity. Acts of faith bring it out. Unlike the first, which needs a quiet atmosphere to be strong, this one needs noise. It increases when you have faithful men around you who want to submit and learn from you (It is strengthened by the hunger of the people).

I exalt you today to actively take part in the growth and expansion of God’s kingdom on earth, and the Lord will use you mightily in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Further Study

• 2 Corinthians 1:21 [Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;]

Reflection

•  Have you ever engaged in active service in God’s kingdom through your local church?
• Have you ever prayed for the sick before?
• Do you desire to be used by God in a special way?

Prayer

Thank you dear Lord for your anointing which abides in me. I declare today that I function in increasing measures of your anointing as I take an active part in the expansion of your kingdom on earth in Jesus’ name. Amen.