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3.3. ACTIVIDAD ECONÓMICA 1 Oferta comercial
RECOGNISING THE ANOINTING
A lot of saints and even ministers of the Lord miss it right here. Many have a problem with this subject – recognizing the anointing. Part of the problem stems from a complete misunderstanding of what the anointing is. And so, it is quite amazing to witness people hungry for what they do not understand. Even more amazing are those who are dishing what they do not understand. The consequence of this has been a lot of abuse of the anointing in so many ways. Some like the Pharisees in the days of Jesus have blasphemed the Holy Spirit for failure to recognize the anointing. Others have simply missed their visitation while others have suffered for lack of knowledge.
To be sure, the story has not been entirely hopeless. There are those who by the grace of God have recognized the anointing to their benefit. At any opportunity of access to the anointing they have recognized it and as a result they have received it,
operated in it, enjoyed it, increased it, passed its tests, valued it and passed it on. Their lives, ministries, families, plans, and
dreams have taken a higher dimension by reason of recognizing the anointing. If you can recognize the anointing,
you can never be left the same. It is vital that you do. I believe
that every being has a divine purpose under heaven and that purpose is the will of God. Like I have said before, that purpose cannot be performed without the anointing. Consequently,
recognizing the anointing is crucial to obeying God and doing His will on earth as it is done in heaven. Without the
anointing, one will not even be able to understand what that will is in the first place. The anointing gives knowledge and unction to the steps of the righteous so that they can fulfill their divine, God‐given assignment.
WHAT IS THE ANOINTING?
A good place to start in recognizing the anointing is to define what it is. Many miss the anointing because of wrong perceptions of what it is. Part of this wrong understanding is the result of inadequate studies of the bible or wrong teachings of the word of God. Recently while sharing on this subject with some pastors I asked them what the anointing
was. The answers revealed to me a lot concerning why many of God’s children miss their visitation. One man of God with a long experience in the ministry said that the anointing is oil. Another said it was power. Yet another understood is as the person of the Holy Spirit. All of them were wrong and only God can imagine what had been going on with their congregations. A lot of God’s children simply do not know what the anointing is and can not differentiate the anointing from the symbols used in the word of God to describe what it can do or from the person of the Holy Spirit who actually gives us the anointing. A clear understanding of what the anointing is will certainly open more opportunities for one to recognize the anointing.
The anointing is really the office of the Holy Spirit. It is the function of the person of the Holy Spirit and it is not limited to human vessels. That function can take place on any object as long as the Holy Spirit so desires to use it. That is why in the scriptures we read of how the handkerchief and aprons from Paul’s body were able to heal the sick and cast out devils (Acts 19:12). It also explains how the hem of Jesus’ garment contained power in it sufficient to heal many that were sick or how the shadow of Peter could heal the sick (Matthew 14:35‐ 36; Acts 5:15). In fact the scriptures are loaded with how inanimate objects contained this office of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament we see how the staffs of Moses and Aaron were able to work wonders (Exodus 4:2‐4, 7:8‐12, 19‐22, 8:5‐ 6). We also witness how the cloak of Elijah was able to
separate the river Jordan (2 Kings 2:14). I am sure when the scriptures mention how Samson killed a thousand Philistine men of war with a jaw bone of an ass, that jaw bone contained in it the very power of God (Judges 15:16). Similarly, did the small stone David used to fell down Goliath (1 Samuel 17:49). There are so many other references in the word of God that reveal the wonderful function of the Holy Spirit in inanimate objects. The most favorite objects the Holy Sprit used are wind, fire, oil, blood and water. I call them favorite because they were actually employed to actually describe the function of the anointing. One such reference commonly used today by saints around the world is found in the 133rd Psalm when David celebrates the unity of the brethren and likens it to the anointing oil that flows on the beard of Aaron.
However often the anointing can be seen in inanimate objects, it is important to realize that ultimately the anointing is meant for God’s people. The anointing is not meant for staffs, cloaks, fire, oil, wind, or handkerchiefs, as much as it is meant for people, God’s people. There is no other place the Holy Spirit would love to work than in the lives of God’s people. In fact, that is His critical mission on earth today. It is important to realize that the Holy Spirit is here on behalf of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. It is Him who sent the Holy Spirit to the church affirming:
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The anointing is this power from above, the office of the Mighty Spirit of Jehovah God. To receive the anointing one must of necessity receive the Holy Spirit. The result is the conversion of a “jar of clay” to a dynamic field of extraordinary virtue (2 Corinthians 4:7). The anointing changes everything in its domain. The host of the anointing becomes supernatural. He/she/it ceases to be ordinary. It is to this special category of people that Jesus referred to when He foretold: And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands; and when they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well (Mark 16:17).
Important to note is the fact that insofar as people are concerned, the anointing in discussion only comes to those who believe in Jesus. Every saint, every believer has an anointing in their life. The problem has always been that most believers do not recognize the presence of the anointing. So they face challenges like ordinary men and women and suffer in life. They suffer for lack of knowledge.
It is vital that saints of the Lord realize that the moment they accept Jesus into their life as Lord He in turn imparts the anointing of the Holy Spirit in their lives. So they become an
office of the Holy Spirit, able to do all that God can do. If this development can be recognized, signs and wonders will follow such a person. Put it this way, if you walk into an office where they process passports but you are not aware of what they do there, you certainly cannot be helped to get one. This will remain the case even though you desperately need a passport. However, if you recognize where you are then proceed to request for assistance, even if you never needed one desperately, the chances of you getting one are significantly increased. You may even assist others that do not know the office and acquisition procedure to get one. If you turn out to be good at it, you may even make a career out of assisting others.
That is what happens with the anointing. Many in the body of Christ do not realize that they are right in the office of the Holy Spirit so to say. They do not recognize where they are. They still think they are the same person before they committed their life to Jesus. And so, they derive no assistance from the anointing, from the office of the Holy Spirit. Others on the other hand, have found out that the moment they received the Lord as Master of their life, they instantly received the Holy Spirit and conversely became His office. Not only have they assumed full advantage of this supernatural status for their
benefit, they have also assisted others with need for what the anointing is able to do. Some like me have in fact taken it up as a life long career.
If only precious saints learn to recognize the office of the Holy Spirit, the world would be a stage of miracles, signs and wonders! Fortunately, that is where we are headed. As we progress closer to the last day, God is anointing end time messengers like me to educate His bride so that the anointing can be maximally utilized. The prophet Daniel saw these days and prophesied thus: ….the people who know their God will do exploits (Daniel 11:32).
Many have wrongly taught concerning the last days. Most times the days are talked of in extremely negative connotations. They talk of massive backslidings and false prophets working wonders. They never look to the bright side of the last days. Rather than inspire faith they are crusaders of fear. I would love to say that there is need for balance when we are looking at these days. True, there will be negative dynamics but these will not overwhelm every body. On the contrary, there will always be a “different people”, “a peculiar nation” that will operate the anointing to work exploits in the last days. In fact, those days are not to be unilaterally assumed to be days of evil as some prophecy experts tell us. Daniel again tells us what will happen when he says:
Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand (Daniel 12:10). Frankly speaking, I am convinced deep down that we are in the midst of those days. We are probably the last generation before this whole thing is wrapped up. It is very critical that we recognize the anointing because it is the Holy Spirit that will help us through in those days. Jesus foretold this when He talked about the last days. He mentioned how we should not be afraid of what to say when we are taken before kings. He said the Holy Spirit will give us what to say (Mark 13:11). Later on, He tells us that “he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13). Beloved, without the blessing of the anointing one cannot know what to say or for that matter,
stand firm to the end.
CONFUSION ABOUT THE ANOINTING
In spite of the massive out pouring of the Holy Spirit there remains a lot to be known about the anointing. Many are confused about the anointing and in their perplexity fail to recognize the anointing. As I have explained, much of this has to do with a failure in understanding the ministry of the Holy Spirit. For many, their wrong perceptions reinforce wrong expectations. In the end, they loose out on their visitation.
This is not only a contemporary problem. This generation is not the first to do it. Over the years several people have failed to recognize the anointing. In fact, this is the reason that many of the Old Testament prophets were persecuted, and in some instances killed. When a generation fails to recognize an anointing they miss out on God’s visitation and purposes. The costs to that generation can be so enormous as Israel’s fate showed every time they did not esteem a servant of God. In the days of Elijah the cost was three days of famine and drought. In the times of Noah, the whole world perished under a flood. In the times of Jeremiah, the entire nation was exiled. In the time of Moses, Pharaoh’s Egypt was grossly tormented with the worst super natural disasters ranging from hail stones, locusts, and boils to death of all the first born animals and children. Throughout the Old Testament the pattern is consistent as those who did not recognize the anointing suffered immeasurable loses. One of the most costly, if in fact not the most costly result of failing to recognize the anointing is the case of Adam and Eve. They had been anointed by God so that they were like God so to say. They could do on earth all that God could do in heaven. As God ruled in heaven they ruled on earth. For all intents and purposes, man was like God by virtue of the anointing on his life. And yet, Satan used ignorance to deceive the woman that they were not really like God. In a tragic episode of evil
deception, he lies to the woman that if they ate of the forbidden fruit they would be like God. Eve should have recognized the anointing upon her life that had actually made her like God and told him to back off. Instead, she took a look at the fruit and priced it above her entity (Genesis 3:6). The rest is our tragic story. This failure cost them and their descendants all that God had given them. This sin is indeed the root sin that has caused generation after generation to fail in recognizing the anointing. Later on in the Psalms, we witness God lamenting the gross failure of those who believe in Him to recognize the anointing that is functioning in their lives as a result of the relation they have with Him, “You are god’s, sons of the Most High but you are dying like mere men; falling like any other ruler” (Psalm 82:6). When we fail to recognize the
anointing we die and fall when we face challenges.
Ultimately, we loose all that God has given us.
In the days of our Lord on earth, He did experience the same problem. His case was even more significant since He was the long awaited Messiah, the Anointed One. He was God’s only begotten Son and was filled with the Holy Spirit beyond measure. Failing to recognize Him was the greatest oversight of Israel. And yet they did. He came to His own and they did not receive Him (John 1:11). Many times He was even accused of being possessed of the devil (Luke 11:15). Jesus, on the other hand, was amazed at their unbelief and failure to recognize Him, let alone the anointing upon His life (Matthew
13:55‐58). In several instances He sought to prove Himself and yet their unbelief was total. At some point He requested them to at least recognize the anointing by virtue of the things He did (John 10:38). Instead, they were adamant in their confusion, some suggesting that the powers He possessed were demonic while others inadequately perceiving Him to be one of the prophets (Mark 8:28). As a result, He foretold the disaster that would face them for this failure. In His own words: Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. …. but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me” (Luke 10:13‐16) And yet not everyone failed in recognizing the anointing. Those who did benefited amazingly as they were catered for by the anointing. In the Old Testament references I gave, there were those in the times of the different patriarchs and prophets that recognized the anointing. The family of Noah was spared the oncoming wrath because they heed to the anointing upon their father; the widow at Zarephath was able to receive Elijah’s anointing and was spared the disastrous effects of the
famine; the Hebrew were delivered because they recognized the anointing of God upon Moses; and so on. In the time of our Lord they were those who believed on the anointing upon His life and followed Him. They were His disciples and apostles. Others believed and were healed of their infirmities. One story always amazes me that I often use to compare those who recognize an anointing from those who fail to do so. It is found in the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of Matthew’s gospel respectively. In the thirteenth chapter we are given the disappointing account of how Jesus returns to his home town of Capernaum (Matthew 13:55‐58). There, He goes to the synagogue and teaches the word. The residents of the town are utterly amazed by the wisdom he exhibits of God’s word. However, they seek to relate it to the Jesus they had witnessed growing up. In the end, they are offended and fail to recognize the anointing upon His life. Jesus, on His part, is amazed at this and works few miracles as a result. The story in the subsequent chapter is diametrically opposed to this (Matthew 14:34‐36). Here the Master arrives with His disciples on an island called Genessaret. The local residents respond in a most amazing fashion: They all recognize Him and proceed to spread the news of His visit across the island. They also go and gather all their sick friends and relatives that need healing. Having done so, they beg Jesus that they may as much as touch the hem of His garment. As many as did, were instantly and completely healed.
The difference in the response of the two towns offers an appropriate comparison of those who recognize an anointing from those who do not. In Capernaum, the anointing had limited opportunity for maneuver as the residents did not recognize it even if Jesus actually had ministered to them in wise teachings. In Genessaret the people recognize the anointing and are rewarded handsomely. Recognizing the