"Virtuous Virtue Part 1: What Is the Anointing?" Part 1

Anointing in the Bible: Old and New Testament Foundations

We often hear the word "anointing" used in church settings, whether during a powerful prayer, a worship moment, or when someone is being recognized for their spiritual calling. But what does it really mean beyond those familiar moments? The anointing is more than a feeling or a title. It is God's way of setting someone apart, equipping them with spiritual authority to carry out a divine assignment. Throughout Scripture, we see how God anoints individuals to fulfill His purposes, and we also see how the anointing works in tandem with our character, our calling, and our obedience.

So, can we go deeper?

In the Old Testament, anointing typically involved the pouring of oil, symbolizing that a person had been chosen for a sacred role, whether as king, priest, or prophet. David, for example, was anointed with oil by Samuel while still a shepherd boy (1 Samuel 16:13), but the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power from that day forward. In the New Testament, this outward act is replaced by a deeper, inward reality. The Holy Spirit now indwells believers and equips them to walk in their God-given purpose.

Isaiah 61:1 speaks prophetically of Jesus: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me..." We see the fulfillment of this in Acts 10:38, which declares that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power…" Likewise, 1 John 2:27 reminds us that this same anointing abides in believers today through the Holy Spirit.

Anointed from the Womb: Chosen Before Birth

Some individuals are marked for their calling even before they are born. In Jeremiah 1:5, God says, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee… I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” This verse gives strong evidence that God can both choose and consecrate a person before their natural life even begins. Similarly, Luke 1:15 tells us that John the Baptist would be “filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb,” pointing to the presence and empowerment of the Spirit upon him before birth. Paul also testified in Galatians 1:15 that he was set apart from his mother's womb. These examples form the scriptural foundation for the concept of being anointed in the womb. While not everyone is called this way, it reveals that God's purpose and presence can rest on a life before it is fully aware of that purpose.

However, we also learn through these same examples that the functional outworking of the anointing usually unfolds later in life, through a process of surrender, faith, and obedience. While some may feel that being anointed in the womb makes them more important or spiritually superior, Scripture reminds us that God's favor is not based on timing, but on His purpose and our obedience. In 1 Corinthians 4:7, Paul challenges this thinking by asking, “What do you have that you did not receive?” True power comes not from when the anointing begins, but from how it is carried. God rewards faithfulness, not self-exaltation, and the greatest anointing is shown in humble service.

The anointing or being chosen is not meant to give anyone a spiritual title or serve as a badge of personal greatness. Instead, it is a divine assignment that sets us apart to do God's work and to allow His power to flow through us for the benefit of others. As 2 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us, 'But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.' In other words, God places His power within ordinary, fragile people not to glorify the person, but to glorify Himself. The value is not in the vessel, but in what the vessel carries. This keeps us humble and reminds us that every anointing is meant to point people back to God, not to elevate us above others.

Anointed with Oil vs. Anointed by the Spirit

There is also an important distinction between being anointed with oil and being anointed by the Holy Spirit. Oil, while deeply symbolic, is just that: a symbol. The true power behind the anointing is not the oil but the Spirit it represents. Jesus quoted Isaiah when He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” (Luke 4:18), and in Acts 1:8, He promised, “You shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Today, we walk in that same promise, not through ritual, but through relationship.

Many churches today still use anointing oil during prayer or healing services. This practice is not wrong, but it is symbolic. Oil can serve as a point of contact for faith, just as it did in the Old Testament and in passages like Mark 6:13, where the disciples anointed the sick with oil. However, it is important to remember that the oil itself has no power. The true anointing comes from the Holy Spirit. The oil may touch the skin, but only the Spirit transforms the heart.

Some may also wonder whether the anointing is a person or something we possess. Scripture shows us that the anointing is not a separate entity or object we own. It is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit working within us. As 1 John 2:27 explains, “The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you.” In other words, the anointing is not something we carry by our own strength or authority. It is God’s Spirit empowering us from within. We are stewards of the anointing, not the source of it, and it is always meant to glorify God, not ourselves.

Chosen vs. Anointed: Two Parts of One Purpose

Building on that foundation, it is important to understand another key distinction. Being chosen is not the same as being anointed. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that God chose us before the foundation of the world. Romans 8:30 explains that those He predestined, He also called. But being anointed, being empowered by the Spirit to operate in that calling, often comes through a life of obedience, spiritual preparation, and faith. Paul was chosen from the womb (Galatians 1:15), but it was after his encounter with Christ (Acts 9) that he began walking in the anointing of his mission.

The Purpose of the Anointing

The purpose of the anointing is never for personal status. It is to serve, to heal, to preach, and to set captives free. As Luke 4:18 states, Jesus was anointed to “preach the gospel to the poor… to heal the brokenhearted… to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Acts 10:38 confirms this same pattern. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed.

The Danger of Misused Anointing

It is also important to understand that being anointed does not automatically mean that God is presently with someone. Scripture offers examples of people who were truly anointed, yet lost the manifest presence of God due to disobedience. Saul was anointed as king in 1 Samuel 10:1, but in 1 Samuel 16:14, the Spirit of the Lord departed from him. Likewise, Samson was set apart and empowered from birth (Judges 13:5), but in Judges 16:20, he did not realize that the Lord had departed from him. These examples show that while the anointing may remain for a time, the active presence of God is tied to obedience and relationship. Romans 11:29 tells us that God's gifts and calling are without repentance, but His favor and fellowship require surrender.

But how can a person operate in their gift and calling without repentance? The answer lies in understanding that while the gift or call may remain due to God's faithfulness, the power, protection, and fruitfulness that come from His presence can be withdrawn when someone chooses disobedience. In other words, the gift may still function, but it will lack spiritual impact. The outward appearance of anointing may continue, but without alignment to God’s will, it becomes empty and even dangerous.

It becomes dangerous because a person may lead others astray by appearing spiritually effective while lacking God’s presence. They may fall into pride, manipulate others, or prioritize performance over intimacy with God. As seen in the lives of Saul and Samson, the absence of God's presence left them vulnerable, unstable, and ultimately ineffective. The anointing without God's guidance becomes a tool that lacks power and can even cause harm instead of healing. The goal is not just to be used by God, but to walk with Him and reflect His character daily.

The Anointing and Character: Why Virtue Matters

But here is the key. The anointing is most effective when it flows through a vessel of character. Luke 8:46 tells us that Jesus felt virtue (power) leave His body when the woman with the issue of blood touched Him by faith. Second Peter 1:5 instructs believers to “add to your faith virtue.” And Proverbs 31:10 describes the virtuous woman as someone whose life is marked by strength, integrity, and wisdom.

This shows us something powerful. The anointing releases power, but virtue governs how that power is expressed. Anointing is God’s empowerment. Virtue is the personal alignment that makes room for His Spirit to move freely. One without the other is incomplete. When they work together, the result is lasting fruit and transformational impact.

Conclusion: Preparing to Carry the Anointing Well

You may be chosen. You may feel a calling stirring inside you. But the anointing is what activates that calling, and your character is what will carry it well. God’s power flows best through a life that is prepared, surrendered, and shaped by His Word. In the next reflection, we will go deeper into the concept of virtue—what it is, how it develops, and why it is essential for anyone seeking to live out their calling with lasting impact. Remember this. The anointing equips you to serve, but virtue qualifies you to sustain the weight of what you carry, and to carry it well.