It is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that empowers, transforms, heals, and establishes the kingdom of God according to the will of the Father. It brings in the harvest!
The Charismatic Renewal has been around for a number of years now. Many have learned something of the way of the Holy Spirit works and of the ways to minister. We've witnessed and experienced His saving and healing power in others and in ourselves. Many have willing hearts, hear a call, and yearn for renewal and a work of ministry. What makes the difference is the anointing! Pray for it.
In the Old Testament, the purpose of anointing a person or thing was to make it sacred for a sacred use. The anointing would bring the power of Yahweh upon a person and impel him or her into action, to accomplish the works of God. The person became a "charismatic officer" of Yahweh's, to operate under the impulse of the Spirit. We see that in all of Jesus' life. He came to do the will of the Father. He learned to hear His voice, to discern the source of what He was sensing (the flesh, the world, the devil, or the Holy Spirit), to wait upon His timing, and to move out under that impulse.
In John 10:4 we read the "my sheep will know my voice." In order to hear God's voice, we need to daily get into the Word: read it, ponder it, pray it throughout each day. Let it prune, form, and shape us.
We read in John 10 that the shepard goes before the flock and the sheep follow. So, we can ask questions as we learn to discern the voices or sources of inspiration. For example: You can ask in faith, "is this ______(desire)____ from You Jesus?" Then listen in your heart. Being caught up in the cares and the busy-ness of this world will bring interference here. So, still your heart, focus on Jesus, and get to know His voice. Make Him Lord of all the circumstances, tasks, and decisions of your day. Decide that you will not act compulsively or in confusion. When I am not sure, I pray, "If this is of You, then increase my desire. If this is not of You, then remove my desire." Once I've handed it over, I wait and focus on the good that I am doing right at that moment.
We might look at one example. When at a prayer meeting, for instance, before I give any word that pops into my head as a word of prophecy, I test it. No matter how good it sounds, I check to see if I am listening to the movement of the Spirit that is prevailing. I ask Jesus, "Is this word from You? Is it for now? Is it only for me, or is it for the group? Develop it, Lord. Tell me when to speak it?" Then I wait with my eyes on Jesus and I rest in His presence. Finally, before I give it, I ask God to anoint me and this word to be heard and understood by others.
It takes time to grow and mature. Mistakes are permissible! That we are in process is what is important. Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the words and works are merely our own attempts at building our own kingdoms. We have been baptized into Christ. For it to be no longer I that live, but Christ in me, our desires and works must increasingly proceed from the will of the Father by the drawing of the Spirit.
The anointing breaks bondages and yokes for the Christians with Jesus Christ. The anointing breaks the yoke of slavery to sin and sets one free to learn from Jesus -- Who is meek and humble of heart, and whose way is light and easy. [Mt. 11:28-30; 1 Jn. 2:20,24-27; Jn. 15:16] We are established by God in Christ Jesus, for He has anointed us. [2 Cor. 1:21] Apart from Him, we can do nothing. [Jn. 15:5]
Printed in the September 1994 issue of the "Living Water." Published for the Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of San Jose, California. Permission to copy is granted, as long as proper credit is given.
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