LESSON 7

The Anointing
as It Relates to
Ministry
n this lesson, we examine the anointing as it relates to ministry.
LESSON 7
I The anointing of God will not flow unless we are in fellowship with God
and His people. Unity is essential.
Scripture tells us: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon
the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew
of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the
LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psalm 133).
We must be diligent to keep the anointing. It is a continual struggle to keep
it while in ministry because it is easily lost. Prayerlessness, distraction, lack of
discernment, and similar problems can cause us to lose the anointing. To keep
it strong we must be in fellowship with the Lord and His body.
Separation from God’s people is dangerous, as the following Scripture
affirms: “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence
among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he
doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he
himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the
church” (3 John 9-10).
We see from this passage that Diotrephes:
• wanted preeminence, wanted to be number one.
• would not receive counsel from the apostles.
• attacked the apostles publicly.
• was not content or in harmony with anyone.
• did not fellowship with other believers.
• forbade fellowship.
• cast out those who challenged him.
Do not be like this man. Instead, be one with the body of Christ. Do not
trust anyone who demands separation from the body of Christ.
36 O P E R AT I N G I N T H E A N O I N T I N G

GOD DOES NOT ANOINT FLESH

God only anoints those who walk in the Spirit, those who have crucified the
flesh and its deeds. Only the garments—life in Christ—is anointed. The
human flesh is not anointed, as the verses below attest.
“Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after
the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you” (Exodus 30:32).
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood
and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour” (2 Timothy 2:20).
Without the anointing there will not be lasting fruit or results. Only
anointed ministries have futures.
The success of a ministry is dependant upon the anointing; without it
there will be no fruit or results, and that ministry will be dead and lifeless.

THE ANOINTING AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom run by spiritual principles and spir-
itual power: “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1 Corinthians
4:20).
• It is not “how to’s.”
• It is not head knowledge.
• It is dependant upon the Holy Spirit and His power.