|
Anointing
We
wrote this page to address the questions people may have about anointing.
We have found this to be a helpful practice in living the new life in Christ.
Why
anoint?
-
To
consecrate a person, object or location to God:
Webster's
definition of consecrate is “To devote irrevocably to the worship of
God." God instructed Moses to consecrate the tabernacle, utensils and priests by anointing them (Exodus
40:9-11,13,15). As
living tabernacles through Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 6:19), we can use our bodies and possessions to honor or
dishonor God. By anointing
them, we consecrate them to serve God and not evil.
-
It
is involved in the healing process:
The scriptures show that anointing with oil should be part of the
ministry to the sick. James
5:14 says, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the
church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Mark also mentioned this practice was used by the disciples, who
“drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed
them” (Mark 6:13 NIV).
Who
can anoint people
-
Elders
of the church (James 5:14)
-
Followers
of Jesus (Mark 6:13)
-
Everyday
sinners: “And behold, a woman
in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in
the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and
stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with
her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet
and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
Luke7:37-38NKJV
-
Ourselves:
“So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and
changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.
Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before
him, and he ate.” 2 Samuel
12:20 NKJV
When
to anoint:
-
After
cleansing ourselves: “Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed
off your blood, and I anointed you with oil.” Ezekiel 16:9 NKJV
-
After
confessing and repenting from our sin; rededicating ourselves after a fall
(2 Samuel 12:20)
-
Dedicating
objects to glorify God (examples: computer, monitor, VCR, eyes, mind, house, bed, etc…)
(Exodus 40:9-11,13,15)
-
Prior
to going into battle (Isaiah 21:5, 2 Samuel 1:21)
-
When
someone is sick (Mark 6:13, James 5:14)
-
When
we need protection (Isaiah 21:5, 2 Samuel 1:21)
-
When
preparing to serve the Lord in a special way (Isaiah 61:1; Exodus 40:13)
What
to use to anoint with: Oil
is most commonly used in anointing (John 12:3,James
5:14, Mark 6:13),
though other substances can be used. Incredibly, Jesus used clay and spit
to anoint a blind man's eyes and healed him in John 9:6. Prior to using oil or any
other substance, we ask the Lord to bless it and use it as a holy medium for His
purposes. The significance of anointing is not in the substance used, but rather
in the
spiritual reason behind the anointing.
What
to anoint:
People, places and things were anointed throughout the Bible.
When we consider the different reasons for anointing, we can understand
what ought to be anointed. Here are
some suggestions of things to anoint:
-
People
(family members, ministry workers, etc.)
-
Buildings
(house, church, office, rooms, etc.)
-
Possessions:
Beds
(especially if struggling with nightmares, lustful dreams or sleeplessness);
computer,
monitor, TV, VCR, furniture, cars, etc.
-
Pets
What
to say when you anoint:
James
5:14
instructs us to anoint "in the name
of the Lord." We express the name of the Lord in the three persons of
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is also mentioned in Matthew
28:19.
Here is a suggested wording for
anointing in the name of the Lord:
“I
anoint ___________ in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
While we speak the
above words, we lightly wet our fingertip with oil and touch the object
with it.
Take
it seriously:
Anointing is a significant act.
It
behooves us to do our best to ensure that the things we anoint will not be used
to dishonor God. This idea is found
in Leviticus 21:11-12 NIV. God said
the priest “Must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother, nor
leave the sanctuary of his God or desecrate it, because he has been dedicated by
the anointing oil of his God.” Likewise,
we
should honor the dedication we have made to the Lord when we anoint.
Home
|