I think there are two aspects of anointing.

One, I believe the Holy Spirit can anoint a person’s LIFE . . . everything they do just seems anointed. When the anointing rests on a person’s life, ministry or service opportunities follow that person around. They cannot get away from opportunities to minister.

Two, I believe the Holy Spirit can place a “special” anointing on a person to do a certain thing at a specific time. For example, just this morning in church there was a man who was going to sing a powerful special song. Before he went on stage he was hoarse . . . after the stage he could barely speak a word. Yet during the song he sounded great. That was a physical example of a special anointing. Another example might be Ballam’s Donkey who spoke. That anointing obviously didn’t last, it was “special.”

There’s a difference between “Calling” and “Anointing” as well. I think I forgot that here. God’s calling on a person’s life will NEVER leave, under any circumstances. God’s anointing can, and I believe it does. I just don’t believe that God always WILL lift an anointing if someone is in sin. God knows the plan. For example let’s say Bill is in ministry of some sort (full time or otherwise), and he knowingly is involved in some sin . . . but God knows that 2 years from now Bill will experience a new transformation and will repent. But during that 2 year period God accomplished much through Bill because of an anointing he put on Bill. This is certainly similar to what was going on with Ted Haggard, except in Haggard’s case God chose to expose the sin. But if Ted Haggard struggled with sin and an anointing was on him for a time, then I think its safe to assume that there are other Pastors with an anointing resting on their lives while they are knowingly sinning… and they repent later. God knows if and when we’re going to repent. He’s got the plan all under control, and its up to Him to do all the anointing, however He chooses. But WOULD He ever choose to anoint someone willingly living in sin?

God is missional — that’s all throughout the Bible (if you want a scripture reference for that, see Genesis – Revelation). God has an intricate plan in place for everything – just think about how the Old Testament interweaves the red thread of Jesus throughout every chapter, spanning centuries and geographical barriers… but still it all reflects the redemption of Jesus Christ. If God would use a spirit-less Donkey for His plan, then certainly I think God may place an anointing on someone who is willingly sinning.

Do I believe the anointing of the Holy Spirit leaves because of disobeying God? Yes, I believe it can, and often does.

Do I believe the anointing of the Holy Spirit MUST leave because of disobeying God? No, it’s “just as the Spirit determines.”

Would God ever put a special anointing on someone who is disobeying Him in order to accomplish His mission? Yea, I think He would if He needed to. That’s consistent with His character . . . and often in the scriptures when God used the unrighteous, they quickly became righteous. I think we’re down to the point where we only have left to discuss, “Is that ‘anointing’?” And I’m not sure on that — I’m really not. I don’t think its worth going around and around discussing what constitutes “anointing” and what doesn’t (Titus 3:9-10). Let’s keep the main thing the main thing here:
The Holy Spirit REGENERATES our spirit . . . that saves us.
The Holy Spirit INFILLS us . . . that helps us live Holy.
The Holy Spirit ANOINTS us for service, just as He determines.

I think the root of what bothers me about it, the reason I so desperately want to see scripture, is because it seems that the line of reasoning that says that the Holy Spirit anoints us even when we choose to live in sin, allows us to create a “license” to justify the wrong things in our lives because the Holy Spirit will still anoint us and use us.

I’m not trying to be argumentative either, but I’m having a hard time grasping the concept of anointing for service where someone is willingly sinning. I don’t expect it to be black and white, but I would like to scripture that supports the issue, one way or the other.

David had terrible consequences when he abused his position, until he repented.

I’m not trying to be argumentative, but I don’t understand. Are there any examples in the Bible where God left His anointing on people willingly living in sin?

The Bible is truth. It is undeniable, and is not subject to our experiences or feelings. It goes further than simply being true, and is actually both propositional and causal. It isn’t just truth, it is truth that causes something, it causes life. It’s possible for us to misinterpret it, but that doesn’t change it, it still remains as it always has been.

Having said that, I would be interested in more than one scripture that shows the Holy Spirit anointing people who are actively choosing to live in sin. I haven’t found anything easily, yet, but the Bible is a big book, so a few pointers would be great!

I’m not sure if the Holy Spirit anointed those guys while they were living in sin. I don’t know. Only they and God do. But I still think the anointing of the Holy Spirit isn’t an open and shut; black and white case.

There are some preachers that I believe often misrepresent God (i.e. they say, “If you don’t give to my ministry, God will hold you responsible for everyone who goes to hell.”)… yet its undeniable that God still uses them… in AMAZING ways.

There have been times where I was very sick: stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, dizzy, upset stomach, whatever. And I had to minister in church. On several occasions I literally felt the sickness entirely leave my body (and my throat miraculously heals so I can sing) as I walked onto the stage. I felt GREAT the entire time I was ministering, but I physically felt ever bit of the sickness come right back to my body as I walked off the stage. I believe this is an example of the Holy Spirit’s anointing. On some of those occasions, I didn’t ask for an anointing. I didn’t even pray to be healed. I specifically remember one of those times I was confused because I wasn’t relying on God’s strength AT ALL that night… I was only trusting in my own power… yet the Holy Spirit still put His anointing on me so I could do the service.

Why? It’s because the Holy Spirit gives the anointing to who and when He chooses.

There is a difference between actively living in sin, and trying to pursue God and failing. The Bible gives clear direction on how to deal with each situation.

But will God’s anointing rest on someone who is struggling with a sin. Well, sure I think it can. In the Bible there’s a million examples. I believe Paul had an anointing of the Holy Spirit … yet he called himself the chief of sinners. Which of the other men in the Bible (besides Jesus) who was anointed was without sin?

And let’s look at the world around us. Jimmy Swaggart lived in a sinful manner for years, all the while, God’s anointing was on him and God used him mightily during that time. In more recent times, Ted Haggard is a more recent example. For some reason, God’s anointing falls on people that we wouldn’t pick!

I think the key is paying attention to the phrase, “just as the Spirit determines.” (1 Cor. 12:11). That passage is speaking of spiritual gifts, but I think that concept of the functioning of the Holy Spirit is applicable for the anointing as well.

Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit anoints (for service) whoever he wants in order to accomplish His plan, just as He determines.

I don’t understand his point about the anointing resting on flawed vessels. It seems to say that Aaron was anointed after he was cleansed.

Help!

But, chapter 16:1-21 never uses that phrase. He does some incredible feats of strength, but it doesn’t appear that he is anointed to do those. This is the spot where he is definitely not exhibiting Godly character.

Is it possible that the Holy Spirit doesn’t anoint us when we are not exhibiting Godly character? Is it possible that God has given each of us natural gifts, things we are good at or special talents we have, and when we are lined up with Him, He anoints it, but when we are not lined up with Him, He doesn’t anoint it? He doesn’t take the gift away, He just doesn’t anoint it. That seems to be the principle that I’m pulling from the Samson story.