The anointing of the Holy Spirit is meant for you—but you have to be ready for it
There’s nothing more valuable than God’s presence in our lives. That presence is often equated with the Holy Spirit’s anointing, which increases our desire to completely and promptly obey God. Because the more we love, trust and obey God, the stronger His anointing will be in our lives.
Now, God’s love for you is perfect, complete and unconditional. He couldn’t love you any more than He does right now, and His love for you never changes. But we can grow in our love for Him. And as this love grows, it causes more of the anointing of the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.
The Anointing Abides in You
Jesus Christ is the Anointed One, so when we are born again, His anointing abides in us. The word anoint means “to smear or rub all over.” It’s wonderful to think about how in Christ, we are “rubbed in and smeared all over” with the Holy Spirit.
First John 2:27 says, “But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you” (AMP). Notice how this Scripture says the anointing abides permanently—it won’t go away.
I also like that word unction—it’s like having Holy Spirit “umph!” or power to do what God is calling us to do. When we follow the anointing, we make wise decisions.
Pay the Price to Have More Power
In one way, the anointing is a free gift from God that comes by His grace and mercy. But in another way, there is a price to pay for it. While the anointing abides in us through our salvation, it can’t come through our lives until we are broken before God. That’s when the oil of the Holy Spirit in us is poured out and can be a benefit to others.
So what is it that needs to be broken in us? Things such as rebellion, stubbornness, pride and a spirit that’s independent from God are a few areas of disobedience that can keep the anointing from working through us. You see, the vehicle that carries the anointing is the soul—our mind, will and emotions. And when we are led by our natural, carnal or fleshly impulses, we aren’t being led by the Holy Spirit. We need to protect the anointing.
It’s Not Just for Spiritual Things
We need to understand that we dare not do anything without God’s anointing and that there’s an anointing for everything we need to do. It’s not just for ministers or for spiritual areas of life.
The anointing is what enables and equips us to do what God asks us to do. You have an anointing to be a parent, spouse or business person. Whatever you are gifted to do, you have an anointing for it. It’s amazing when God uses someone to do something that they don’t have the ability to do on their own. That’s the power of the anointing!
Jesus Is Our Example
Philippians 2:10 says, “(At) the name of Jesus every knee … (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” He is God, and He is all-powerful! Yet He is also our example in humility. Verses 5-8 in this same chapter tell us we are to have the same attitude He demonstrated. Although He is one with God, Jesus stripped Himself of all privileges and became a servant. He humbled Himself and was obedient even to death on the cross.
Power is connected to obedience, which means the anointing is released when we get rid of our selfish, self-centered, independent attitudes and humble ourselves before God. As you choose to be radically obedient to God, you will have the same power that raised Christ from the dead working in you—and you’ll be amazed by the anointing of the Holy Spirit in your life!
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times best-selling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored nearly 100 books, including her latest, Making Good Habits, Breaking Bad Habits. She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. To read past columns in Charisma by Joyce, visit charismamag.com/meyer.
