The Anointing — The Oil, the Holy Spirit, and Consecration to God
Introduction
Throughout Scripture, anointing carries the idea of being set apart, consecrated, and appointed for God's purpose. In the Old Testament, anointing with oil visibly marked certain people and objects as consecrated unto God. Priests and kings were anointed, and Scripture also speaks of prophetic appointment.
Yet the physical oil was not itself the power of God. It served as an outward sign of consecration and appointment. Scripture ultimately directs our attention beyond the oil to the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Anointing Oil
God gave Moses specific instructions concerning the holy anointing oil:
“Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices...” — Exodus 30:22–23 KJV
The oil was used in consecrating the tabernacle, its vessels, Aaron, and his sons.
“And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.” — Exodus 30:30 KJV
The anointing therefore signified that what belonged to God was being set apart for His service.
It was holy and was not to be treated as ordinary oil.
Poured Upon His Head
Psalm 133 gives a striking picture of priestly anointing:
“It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard...” — Psalm 133:2 KJV
Aaron was not appointing himself to the priesthood. He was being consecrated according to God's command.
This teaches an important principle: biblical anointing is connected with God's calling and purpose, not merely human ambition or a title.
Kings Were Anointed
When Samuel anointed David, something significant followed the outward act:
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.” — 1 Samuel 16:13 KJV
The oil was visible.
The work of the Spirit was spiritual.
The two should be distinguished even though they appear together in this passage.
David's authority did not originate in the oil itself. God had chosen David, and the Spirit of the LORD came upon him.
Prophetic Appointment
God also spoke concerning prophetic appointment. Elijah was instructed concerning Elisha:
“And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.” — 1 Kings 19:16 KJV
Again, the emphasis is upon divine appointment.
God chooses, calls, equips, and sends His servants according to His purpose.
The Anointing and the Holy Spirit
The New Testament brings the spiritual reality into even clearer focus.
Jesus said:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor...” — Luke 4:18 KJV
Jesus' statement draws from Isaiah 61:1.
Notice the connection:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me...”
The ministry of Jesus was performed in accordance with the Father's will and in the power of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:38 declares:
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power...”
The New Testament therefore prevents us from reducing anointing merely to physical oil.
The Believer's Anointing
John wrote to believers:
“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” — 1 John 2:20 KJV
And later:
“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you...” — 1 John 2:27 KJV
In its context, John is warning believers about deceivers and those denying the truth concerning Christ.
The anointing is therefore connected with abiding in the truth God has revealed—not with spiritual pride or claims of personal superiority.
The Holy Spirit leads God's people into truth and glorifies Jesus Christ.
Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding
The Holy Spirit gives wisdom and understanding according to God's purpose.
Isaiah prophesied concerning the Messiah:
“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;” — Isaiah 11:2 KJV
Paul likewise teaches that manifestations of the Spirit are distributed according to God's will.
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;” — 1 Corinthians 12:8 KJV
Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation are discussed in 1 Corinthians 12.
But Scripture makes an important point:
“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” — 1 Corinthians 12:11 KJV
Therefore, spiritual gifts are not something we manufacture or claim independently. The Spirit distributes them as He wills.
The Gifts Christ Gave to His Church
Ephesians 4 describes another category of gifts:
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” — Ephesians 4:11 KJV
These gifts are given for a purpose:
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” — Ephesians 4:12 KJV
These ministries should therefore never be viewed merely as titles.
Their purpose is to serve Christ's body, equip believers, strengthen the church, and bring God's people toward spiritual maturity.
The Blood and the Oil
The Old Testament sometimes places blood and oil together in consecration.
During the consecration of Aaron and his sons, Moses used both:
“And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron...” — Leviticus 8:30 KJV
The blood and oil were distinct elements within the consecration ceremony and should not be made identical.
Within the larger biblical revelation, blood is especially associated with atonement and cleansing, while anointing is associated with consecration and appointment.
Under the New Covenant, our redemption rests upon the blood of Jesus Christ:
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins...” — Ephesians 1:7 KJV
And believers receive the Holy Ghost according to God's promise.
Anointing Is Not Self-Exaltation
True spiritual anointing should never cause us to exalt ourselves.
Spiritual gifts belong to God.
Ministry belongs to God.
Wisdom comes from God.
Power comes from God.
The glory belongs to God.
Paul asked:
“And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” — 1 Corinthians 4:7 KJV
Whatever God gives us should produce humility, obedience, service, and greater dependence upon Him.
Personal Application
Rather than merely saying, “I am anointed,” I should ask:
Am I submitted to the One who anoints?
If God gives me wisdom, I should use that wisdom for His glory.
If He gives me understanding, I should use it to understand and communicate His Word faithfully.
If He gives me discernment, I must exercise it according to Scripture.
If He entrusts me with ministry, I must remember that ministry is stewardship rather than personal status.
I do not need to manufacture an anointing.
I need to remain surrendered to God, grounded in His Word, dependent upon the Holy Spirit, and faithful to whatever He has called me to do.
Reflection Questions
What did anointing with oil signify in the Old Testament?
What happened when Samuel anointed David?
How does Luke 4:18 connect anointing with the Holy Spirit?
What does 1 John 2 teach about the believer's anointing and truth?
Who determines how spiritual gifts are distributed according to 1 Corinthians 12:11?
Am I seeking God's power primarily to serve Him, or to elevate myself?
How can I faithfully use what God has entrusted to me?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank Thee for the gift and presence of the Holy Spirit. Teach me to understand biblical anointing according to Thy Word. Keep me from pride, self-exaltation, and depending upon outward appearances rather than upon Thee.
Give me wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and discernment according to Thy will. Help me faithfully use whatever gifts Thou hast entrusted to me for the edification of the body of Christ and for Thy glory.
Consecrate my life unto Thy purposes, and teach me to walk in obedience to Thy Word.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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