For the purpose of this write-up, I would define anointing as: The dedication of an individual to the service of God. The presence of the Holy Spirit upon an individual. The sign of God's approval of a chosen vessel.
Anointing imparts supernatural strength that enables an individual to perform a special task or function in an office he is called and appointed to.
In ancient times, God would choose and anoint an individual to function in the office of a prophet, priest, or a king. David, God's chosen, had the anointing of a king, a prophet and also a priest. It is only God that can anoint a person for a specific purpose. Anointing an individual with oil is only a symbol of what God is already doing.
What Anointing Is Not
Anointing is not for vain public demonstration of strengths and talents, or an opportunity given to build our little kingdoms on earth. We are anointed to function in our roles so that we will be well-equipped to serve the Supreme God and do His will. Anointing is not given to create a celebrity out of you, but to empower you to serve in the Lord’s vineyard and fulfill your calling.
Character Traits of the Anointed
They do not need the approval of men.
They are always disapproved by those who are governed by the flesh.
They do the extra-ordinary because they are bold.
They are known in hell and always a threat to the kingdom of darkness.
And the evil spirit answered, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? Acts 19:15
Prerequisites for High-Level Anointing
1. Purification: If you want to be used by God, you need to let the fire of the Holy Spirit burn the impurities of your flesh. The experience of purification is usually bitter. When you are going through this process, you experience pain, but the Holy Spirit – our Great Comforter rubs His soothing balm on you to relieve the pain.
If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work - 2 Timothy 2:21
2. Obedience: To be able to walk in total obedience and be acceptable for use by the Master, you will need to let go of many things which you have put your trust in, that are not spiritually edifying. You will lose many friends and associates. For some people, that can be very difficult. You will need to forsake all worldly associations, interests, and habits. At a certain point, you will feel lonely, misunderstood, hated, and rejected by others. You may also be perceived as being anti-social. This is the price you will pay, but the reward awaits you at the end of the journey. At this time, the Holy Spirit will be your real companion and counselor. He will guide you and bring genuine and faithful friends your way. Now you are on your way to becoming eligible for a higher-level of God’s anointing.
To obey is better than sacrifice - I Samuel 15:22
3. Brokenness: For your life to be pleasurable in the sight of the Lord and fit to carry a high level of His anointing, you must be broken. If you study the book of Mark, chapter 14, you will learn a valuable lesson about brokenness. Many who are in the service of the Lord are battling to walk in the anointing on a high level, because they have not moved past the brokenness stage.
Pride can prevent you from experiencing brokenness, and consequently restricts the flow of God's anointing on your life. As long as you are prideful, you cannot carry a high level of anointing. Individuals who still brag about the size of the congregation they shepherd, the size of their bank accounts, the car they drive etc., cannot attain a high level of anointing. These are the ones who will not submit to authority, who lay so much importance on their titles and feel offended when you address them simply as ‘Brother’ or ‘Sister’. They don't preach in small churches but big ones. They can’t get their hands dirty, and they don’t do missionary work, they would rather remain in big cities where it is convenient and ‘happening’. Individuals like these would only be operating with minimal anointing like every other believer; there is nothing extra-ordinary about them.
But on this one will I look on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word - Isaiah 66:2
4. Humility: Pride is not an influence. It is a demonic spirit trying to destroy the life of the people of God. If you study chapter 41 of the book of Job, you will notice that the author was speaking about Leviathan, who is said to reign supreme over all the pride of the earth. Usually most people who are prideful silently live in fear. The one who leans totally upon the Lord is not afraid, and has no reason to want to impress others.
If there are areas in your life that the flesh still dominates, God will speak to you. He will give you ample time to make adjustments and repent. He is compassionate and slow to anger. If you continue to be disobedient, that will lead to rebellion. Then the door will be opened for Leviathan to sow the seed of pride. When the seed of pride is fully grown, destruction kicks in.
Bow down, then, before the strong hand of God. He will raise you up, when His time to deliver you comes -1 Peter 5:6
5. Withstanding Probation and Trials: During the probation stage and when you are going through trials, be prepared to lose your reputation and be looked down upon by those you consider friends in your human understanding. You could be abandoned by everyone around you. You are secluded, no-one understands you anymore. It will seem as if you are living in the wilderness, but you will be able to withstand long periods of drought by the grace of God. Not many have passed the test of the wilderness experience.
For many are called, but few are chosen - Matthew 22:14.
Levels of Anointing
According to the word of God, every born-again Christian has the anointing on his life. However, it is your responsibility to work at maintaining and increasing your level of anointing. That is why some walk on a higher level of anointing than others.
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you - I John 2:27
1. The ankle level Anointing: This comes by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Every born-again Christian experiences this level of anointing, which automatically comes with salvation.
2. The Knee level Anointing: This comes with faithful and consistent fellowship with Jesus Christ. All who lead souls to Christ, for example, can be said to have this anointing. They are also called ministers or priests.
3. The Waist level Anointing: This level of anointing lifts a person to a place of higher authority in God, giving him power over demons, principalities and wickedness in high places, power to heal the sick etc.
When these three levels are attained, others go higher and swim in the deep. This could be termed double-portion anointing, due to the degree to which an individual dwells in the presence of the Almighty God. It is rare, but possible to find people on this level of anointing. They carry higher levels of El-Shaddai's power, whereby they perform diverse miracles like raising the dead, making the lame to walk, the blind to see etc. Very rare!
"As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross" - Ezekiel 47:3-5
It is worth mentioning that the authority entrusted to those whom God has called to function in the offices of apostles and prophets, also enables them to walk in a higher level of anointing. Every church or sanctuary operating under apostolic and prophetic ministries carries a higher level of anointing. This is called Corporate Anointing.
This message would not be complete without stating that you cannot experience any of the aforementioned levels of anointing if you have not given your life to Jesus Christ and made Him your Lord and Savior. Anointing is the heritage of true believers only, so are all other spiritual benefits.
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” (Matthew 15:25-26).
If you would like to be a partaker of this heritage, surrender all to Jesus today and begin a new life in Him. Invite Him into your life and find a bible-believing church, where you can grow spiritually and fellowship with other brethren.
God bless you!
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