If you have attended church for any period, then you have probably heard the saying “Touch Not God’s Anointed”, or perhaps you have even said it yourself.
For years many people have been bound by fear at the mere thought of even speaking about those in leadership because that would be considered “touching God’s anointed.”
Unfortunately, many false teachers have used this scripture as a weapon to defend themselves against any criticism or accountability. But what does the Bible say on the matter?
First let me start by saying, I do not think it is profitable to criticize leadership. There is a plethora of scriptures that show us that this is divisive behavior and it is not pleasing to God. We have examples of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in their rebellion against Moses, (Numbers 16: 1-33). Miriam and Aaron’s rebellion against Moses (Numbers 12:1-10). Needless to say, it never fares well for those who dare to rebel against the person that God has set in authority.
But does this mean we must remain silent on any type of doctrinal teaching and/or behavior under the guise of someone being anointed?
The Anointing
Anointing, which means to apply the oil by pouring or spreading, is a practice in the Old Testament that was used for several purposes. It was used customarily for cleansing (Ruth 3:3), for healing (Mark 6:13, James 5:14), and hospitality (Luke 7:46). For Israel, the oil was used at the tabernacle to anoint the priests (Exodus 28:41) and the altar (Exodus 29:36).
Anointing oil was also used to ordain religious leaders, for God’s service, i.e., Samuel anoints Saul (1 Samuel 10:1). It was seen as an act of being chosen by God for his service, regardless if it was a prophet, priest, or king.
The scriptures that are quoted most often regarding touching God’s anointed are:
Psalm 105:15 – Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
1 Chronicles 16:22 – Saying, Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm.
In context, these passages are a psalm of praise and thanksgiving to God. Both of these verses echo each other in speaking of the patriarchs and the children of Israel. In this case, they are the ones who were set apart (anointed) with whom God had made a covenant.
These verses are not talking about leadership today, but instead, the psalmist is rehearsing the faithfulness of God to his people and his covenant with them.
We can see an example of this verse being used by David and his encounter with King Saul. In 1 Samuel 24:1-22, we see David on the run from King Saul. When, King Saul goes to relieve himself in the cave where David and his men are hiding, David’s men see it as an opportunity that God has given David to avenge himself, but David tells his men that he will not touch God’s Anointed One.
Again in 1 Samuel 26:1-21 David is hiding from King Saul. Saul and his men have set up camp while in pursuit of David. David and one of his men, Abishai go into the camp where Saul and his men are sleeping, and Abishai asks if he can kill Saul, assuming that God has delivered him into their hands. And again, David forbids it and states that he will not touch God’s Anointed.
Now in context, we see David, being chased by Saul for no wrongdoing of his own. Two times he is presented with the opportunity to avenge himself of Saul, and both times he refuses to “touch one of God’s anointed.” Keep in mind that David has also been anointed by God (1 Samuel 16:12-13).
David is not using this scripture in defense of himself, but rather to defend his decision not to harm the person whom God has anointed as the King at the moment. Instead, David trusts in the plan of God to deal with Saul at the appropriate time (1 Samuel 26:10).
These verses on touching God’s anointed are all found in the Old Testament. So, what do these scriptures mean as it relates to us as believers today?
Who is God’s Anointed?
People were anointed in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, the Anointed One is the person of Jesus Christ (Christ meaning – the anointed) John 1:41, Acts 10:38.
As born-again believers, we have the Holy Spirit abiding on the inside of us. So that makes us all, you guessed it “anointed” (1 John 2:20 & 27, Colossians 1:27).
An individual’s position or role in ministry does not mean that they are more anointed, it just means that they have been given a different and sometimes greater responsibility (James 3:1). That role is not to be used to Lord over others or used as a scare tactic (1 Peter 5:2-3).
Misconceptions about the Anointing
The anointing does not fall on us. Again, as we discussed previously by pouring or spreading, the anointing oil was used for many different purposes in the Old Testament. But in the New Testament (Covenant) the anointed one Jesus lives on the inside of us. His power flows through us it does not fall on us.
Gift or Talents do not imply anointing. Just because someone can teach the word or sing well does not mean that they are anointed of God. Most of the time we base this thought on how we feel when a person sings, teaches, etc. but some people are just talented.
There is no “greater or fresh” anointing. I have often heard people talk about a greater or fresh anointing, but that would imply that Christ (the anointed one) is insufficient in some way. There is no biblical reference to a new or fresh anointing.
No one can impart to you, their anointing. Again, we are anointed because the Spirit of Christ lives on the inside of us. It’s Christ who is anointed, and we are partakers of HIS anointing. No one can impart to you “their” anointing because the anointing belongs to God, in his grace he allows us to partake in it.
Therefore, the Spirit gives us all Spiritual gifts, according to his will. Those gifts are for the edifying of the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). No one can teach you a gift, transfer a mantle, or impart their anointing because what we have been given are gifts of the Spirit.
Many people will use the scripture 2 Kings 2:1-9 when Elijah transferred his mantle to Elisha. However, Elijah did not make that decision on his own authority, but was following the direction of God:
Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.
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We are never to sit in silence to doctrinal error because someone professes to be “God’s anointed”. As we discussed previously, we are all anointed if we have Christ living on the inside of us because HE is the anointed One. Therefore, we glory that we are partakers of Christ’s anointing, and that he has chosen us as vessels to dwell in (2 Corinthians 4:7).
References:
Anointing/Anointed. Richards, L.O (2016). New International Encyclopedia of Bible words. Zondervan.
Unger, M.F. (2009) The new Unger’s Bible dictionary. Moody Publishers.