1 John 2:20-27
Much is made of “the anointing” in many circles, with many different types of anointing being described. Some speak of singing anointing, teaching anointing, prayer anointing, etc. There is nothing wrong with describing these things as being done in an anointed manner, but it does make it sound like the anointing is a tangible thing that rides on other things, making them better or more useful. Actually, the anointing that is spoken of in the Bible is a smearing, meaning literally that in the Greek.
When John writes of “an unction from the Holy One”, his word ‘unction’ is the same word as ‘anointing’. He does not specify that this anointing is on the preacher or the teacher only, but that it is smeared on every single believer. This anointing assures that the believer, “know all things”.
I may not know much, but I’m smart enough to know that I don’t know it all! How can we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit and thus, “know all things”? John is addressing the influx of false teachers that was infiltrating the church, denying the finished work of Jesus Christ (verse 23), and some were denying the teaching of eternal life (verse 25). John said that they were there to “seduce you” (verse 26). “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 John 2:27).
The smearing of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to assure us of truth, so that we do not fall into error. John was encouraging the church to let them know that they had inside of them all that they needed to keep from being led astray. You have the identification of the Holy Spirit inside of you that teaches you what is right and wrong. Too often in the church, we think that they way to get people to live right is to shove as many rules and regulations in front of them as possible. Truthfully, many pastors trust more in their ability to get people to live right than they do the Holy Spirit inside of that person.
We are learning more every day about God and His goodness and love toward us. It is for this cause that we are sure that we do not know it all and that there is much more about our Lord that there is to learn. John’s writing is not to say that we do not need preachers and teachers, for the body of Christ grows and learns by fellowshipping and the sharing of doctrine (Acts 2:42). John is reminding us that we are all equal when it comes to the instruction of the Holy Spirit. From the newborn saint to the veteran of the cross, we all have the same smearing of the same Holy Spirit. We need only to listen to His voice as He ministers His truth into our lives.
Jesus said that His sheep know His voice (John 10:27) and that they would not follow the voice of a stranger (10:5). When Jesus speaks in your heart, it always ministers grace and love to you, edifying you, and lifting you up. The voice of condemnation and fear cannot be Christ, for it goes against His finished work (John 3:17), so avoid that which drags you down. When you are in error or following after that which is harmful, the Holy Spirit will lead you back to Christ, for that is always His primary purpose (John 16:14). The unction of the Spirit is to cause you to see Jesus, and no voice of the enemy will ever do that.
Much is made of “the anointing” in many circles, with many different types of anointing being described. Some speak of singing anointing, teaching anointing, prayer anointing, etc. There is nothing wrong with describing these things as being done in an anointed manner, but it does make it sound like the anointing is a tangible thing that rides on other things, making them better or more useful. Actually, the anointing that is spoken of in the Bible is a smearing, meaning literally that in the Greek.
When John writes of “an unction from the Holy One”, his word ‘unction’ is the same word as ‘anointing’. He does not specify that this anointing is on the preacher or the teacher only, but that it is smeared on every single believer. This anointing assures that the believer, “know all things”.
I may not know much, but I’m smart enough to know that I don’t know it all! How can we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit and thus, “know all things”? John is addressing the influx of false teachers that was infiltrating the church, denying the finished work of Jesus Christ (verse 23), and some were denying the teaching of eternal life (verse 25). John said that they were there to “seduce you” (verse 26). “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 John 2:27).
The smearing of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to assure us of truth, so that we do not fall into error. John was encouraging the church to let them know that they had inside of them all that they needed to keep from being led astray. You have the identification of the Holy Spirit inside of you that teaches you what is right and wrong. Too often in the church, we think that they way to get people to live right is to shove as many rules and regulations in front of them as possible. Truthfully, many pastors trust more in their ability to get people to live right than they do the Holy Spirit inside of that person.
We are learning more every day about God and His goodness and love toward us. It is for this cause that we are sure that we do not know it all and that there is much more about our Lord that there is to learn. John’s writing is not to say that we do not need preachers and teachers, for the body of Christ grows and learns by fellowshipping and the sharing of doctrine (Acts 2:42). John is reminding us that we are all equal when it comes to the instruction of the Holy Spirit. From the newborn saint to the veteran of the cross, we all have the same smearing of the same Holy Spirit. We need only to listen to His voice as He ministers His truth into our lives.
Jesus said that His sheep know His voice (John 10:27) and that they would not follow the voice of a stranger (10:5). When Jesus speaks in your heart, it always ministers grace and love to you, edifying you, and lifting you up. The voice of condemnation and fear cannot be Christ, for it goes against His finished work (John 3:17), so avoid that which drags you down. When you are in error or following after that which is harmful, the Holy Spirit will lead you back to Christ, for that is always His primary purpose (John 16:14). The unction of the Spirit is to cause you to see Jesus, and no voice of the enemy will ever do that.
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