Understanding the Anointing! by Bishop David Oyedepo

Understanding the Anointing! by Bishop David Oyedepo

Topic: Understanding the Anointing!

Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Understanding the Anointing!

Anointing is a divine enabling. It is an outflow of the Holy Spirit through a human vessel. There is a difference between the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the anointing. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is just the beginning of the race. It is the matriculation ceremony into the school of anointing and power. It is like an initiation into spiritual depth. Initiation brings about identification; and it is in the course of identification that we receive an overflow –a higher dimension of the Holy Spirit. Let us explore the different levels of the Holy Spirit.

A Well: The Bible records: Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life(John 4: 13-14). In the above scripture, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well and asked her to give Him water to drink. The woman was astonished, because the Jews didn’t have anything to do with the Samaritans. As a result, Jesus tried to show her that He was more than just a Jew; He had something more to offer her that she knew not of –a well of living water flowing from inside her. This illustration is talking about our encounter with the Holy Spirit at new birth, for no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. This experience is compared to a well of water. The level of the Holy Spirit in us at conversion is likened to a well of water.

Understanding the Anointing! by Bishop David Oyedepo

A River: It is written in John 7:37-39: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified. This scripture talks about the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is received by those who already believe. This experience is likened to a river of water.

The Rain: In the Scripture, the anointing is likened to rain. It is written: Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field (Zechariah 10:1; see also Joel 2:23). These scriptures clearly refer to the anointing. This is the rain of God’s power from above. Rain is the life wire of the well and river. It determines their welfare and is the only way by which they are filled up. The function to which a river is put is determined by the level of water it has and this level of water is dependent on rain.

Understanding the Anointing! by Bishop David Oyedepo

What qualifies us for the Anointing?

Be Righteous: Jesus loved righteousness and hated wickedness; that was why He never ran out of the anointing. He was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above His fellows. It follows therefore that anyone who will receive the anointing must love righteousness and hate iniquity. We should not be deceived; sin places a limit on the anointing. If we are ignorant of this fact, we may continue to sin and not be able to grow in the anointing. Moreover, the level to which we love righteousness and hate iniquity determines the level of our anointing. The Bible says: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (Psalm 45:6-7)

Walk in Love: All issues of life emanate from love. This also goes with the anointing. A man that will flow in the anointing and demonstrate the power of the Spirit must be a man of love. The Bible records: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18). Every time Jesus was moved with compassion, there was a release of anointing which gave birth to signs and wonders. So, anointing is basically for service.

Live a Praiseful Life: Nothing short circuits anointing more than a life void of praise and worship. Murmuring and complaining keeps anointing far away from our territory. The more we praise, the more the unction; the more the worship, the more the anointing. God is fearful in praises. It is written: Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders (Exodus 15:11). He manifests Himself in an atmosphere of thanksgiving. Jesus never complained, neither did He murmur. He was never offended in God. No wonder He never lacked the anointing. Praise keeps the anointing flowing and destroys every yoke in our lives.

In conclusion, righteousness has its price. God has paid His own price by sending His dear Son to die on the cross of Calvary. Therefore, you need to play your own part too by being a bonafide child of God. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

Understanding the Anointing! by Bishop David Oyedepo

For further reading, please get my books: Anointing for Breakthrough, Understanding the Anointing, Anointing for Exploits, Release of Power and Manifestation of the Spirit. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

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David O. Oyedepo is a Nigerian Christian author, architect, preacher, and the founder and presiding bishop of the mega church, Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel