"Protect the anointing."
Many don't know what the anointing is. The best description I have heard is that of a painter painting a wall. The wall could have been boring and lifeless. Once the paint is applied now the color of the paint changes the wall from drab to fab (if I could steal a line from HGTV).
The anointing is very similar. When the anointing is applied to our lives it changes us from who we once were to something new and better.
In Old Testament times they would apply the oil to the head by smearing it on or by pouring it out of a container on the kings and priests. Where they were just men before the anointing, now that the oil had been applied, they have become what they are called to be.
In today's terms in church we still pray for people and anoint them with oil but also now that the Holy Spirit has come we can experience the anointing in a new way. The oil of Old Testament times represented the Holy Spirit who would be given to the church. In fact in the book of 1 John it says that the anointing we have from God will teach us. It then goes on to say that the anointing is the Holy Spirit. When He is applied to your life everything changes and you can become all that God has called you to be.
The problem is that we aren't aware of the anointing we have nor do we fight to keep the anointing. The Holy Spirit is a Person and can be grieved or welcomed. He also can be acknowledged and we can learn from Him or we can ignore or even reject Him. It is our call.
We need to protect our relationship with the Holy Spirit. There are a few ways we can do this.
First off we need to guard our hearts and stay pure. God doesn't enjoy sin. We need to quickly confess and repent of sin so we can enjoy fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Repentance means that we turn from our way and go God's direction. The more we follow God's ways the less we will grieve Him.
Next we need to guard our lives from contamination. The world would love to pollute us. There are many voices that could speak into our lives. We have to get quiet and take time to listen to the anointing, the Holy Spirit, who will teach us and lead us. He will guide you if you will simply follow His instructions.
Finally we need to guard against the enemy. The devil will try to lie and deceive you into false thinking. He will either tell you that you are crazy, or not to worry, that you are okay where you are at so why go through trials, or he will drum up some other lie. The more you know the voice of the Holy Spirit the more you will be guarded against the lies of the enemy.
How is your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Can you think of another way we can protect the anointing?
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