2 Corinthians 1:20-22
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
When we think of anointing, we often picture oil being poured on us and being prayed over for a certain purpose. You may be anointed with oil to recognize a calling on our life, when beginning a leadership role, or to receive healing. When we pray for people to be healed, it is biblical to anoint them with oil and pray for them. But someone who walks in an anointing, is someone who operates in a particular spiritual ability. They have been set apart for God’s purposes. Someone who is anointed for a particular purpose is someone God has set apart. When you walk in an anointing, you flow in your gift and it may come easy for you. Just because we don’t have a particular gift, does not mean we won’t operate in that way, It just means we go after it in a different way.
My uncle is an anointed evangelist. He can have a conversation with just about anyone and lead them to Lord. He has literally ridden in an elevator with a person and from the time they got in, to the time they got out, he led them to the Lord. He is anointed and gifted as an evangelist. I, however, struggle to seal the deal when it comes to leading people to the Lord. I have done it, I still try, but it doesn’t come easy for me. My gifts lie elsewhere, but I am still responsible for leading people to Christ. Just because something is challenging for us doesn’t mean it’s something we don’t get to operate in or it’s someone else’s job.
Likewise, my dad was a police officer. When he was in his uniform, he carried a level of authority that he did not have when he was in his street clothes. In uniform, he could enforce the law, direct traffic, make arrests, and write tickets. He was backed by the law and his decisions were enforced by the judicial system. We have an even greater authority in Christ. We are sons and daughters of the most high God. When we use the name of Jesus, God backs us up with his power and authority. We are able to do things we cannot in our own power and strength.
We all carry a measure of anointing and authority. We use what God gives us and we can ask for more. God can work with whatever measure he has given us when we surrender to him. He is always looking for willing and yielded vessels to move through.
Jesus recognized when the power to heal was present (Luke 5:17), and he commanded the storm to be still (Mark 4:39). One was anointing, the other authority. Both were accomplished by God’s power. Jesus gave his disciples power and authority over all diseases and unclean spirits. As believers, we have the Holy Spirit and are filled with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. In the name of Jesus, we carry his authority. The enemy must bow to the name of Jesus. It is up to us to use those spiritual muscles, to build them up and develop both the anointing and authority. As we learn to hear God’s voice and discern what he is doing, we will learn to operate in both.
Listening Prayer:
Holy Spirit, what are the things you have anointed me to do for your kingdom? What do you want me to do to develop and grow in that area? How can I grow in my authority in Christ? How do you want me to practice walking in authority today? Pray as the Holy Spirit directs. Pursue anything he tells you to do!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the anointing and authority you give us as your children. Lord teach me to walk in the assignments you have for me. Give me courage, wisdom, power, and authority as I partner with you. God, I recognize I cannot accomplish anything in my own power but remain fully dependent on you. May I keep my eyes firmly fixed on you and may I remain humble before you and man. Holy Spirit, teach me and train me. Give me boldness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Resource: Bible Verses on Anointing and Authority
Mark 6:7, 12-13
”And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.”
“So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”
John 16:13
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Philippians 2:9-11
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Joel 2:28
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”
Luke 10:19
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”