1 John 2:20, “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.”
Do you realize you have the empowering work of the Holy Spirit within you? It is not something magical or something to be caught in a second step. From the time of salvation onward, the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you to the truth in Jesus Christ. He illuminates your mind and your spirit with spiritual insight from reading God’s Word. Need more of this knowledge in applying it to a problem? Ask for it. Your anointing doesn’t come and go. It is permanent and remains in you (1 John 2:27).
- “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” The person speaking here is the Messiah – Jesus Christ. Isaiah 61:1. Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1 in Luke 4:14-30 and proclaims He is the fulfillment of this prophecy.
- “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.
Are you having a problem with discouragement recently? Have your concerns caused you to be dismayed? You are not alone. If you look out over a crowd, most are also experiencing hard things in their life too. There may be things you have no idea about that are also happening inside them. Take the time to pick someone out. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to someone who needs your encouragement. Once you have found that person, ask them what is on their heart that is weighing them down. Pray for their need while sitting or standing next to them.
I often feel impatient when something goes wrong at work or in a relationship. Resentment takes hold, I start to feel all alone, and feelings of bitterness move in instead of dwelling on the eternal, all-sufficient, good, excellent, mighty, fair, and just God holding the whole world in His hands. Once again, I don’t need more faith. I need more of the Father.
Be aware the enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy your joy. When you lose your patience, is it because of a fleshly grief or something that would grieve the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:30 warns, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” When something upsets you within your family, work, or a specific situation, ask first if this situation is grieving you only or is grieving the Spirit inside of you. Remember, Jesus came to serve others. Some things are just out of your control. Lift the burden onto the Lord. You are anointed by the Holy Spirit, and He will lead you to do what Jesus would want you to do as you seek Him with all your heart, soul, and mind (Jeremiah 29:13). Then ask what He wants you to learn from this. Is there something you need to ask His forgiveness for? Then let it go. Remember, you are an anointed child of God. Use the knowledge given to you by the Holy Spirit. Follow Jesus. Serve others as you seek to bless those in your sphere of influence God has given you. Be led by the Spirit in everything you think about, actions, and conversations. Ask for His guidance and use the knowledge He has given you as you abide in Him. Jesus is a righteous, wise, and loving judge. Be like Jesus and stay focused upon Him. Each of us is accountable for our own actions before Christ. Speak back truth to yourself from God’s Word that you have asked Him for, when you feel weighed down, and it will renew your mind.
You are anointed, and your position is in Christ, so you have the advantage. “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. Follow Jesus. Trust and rely on Him. He is and will be with you. You have the advantage.
Listen to Phil Wickham -The Jesus Way (Official Lyric Video).