Bishop David Oyedepo: Sustaining the anointing!

Topic: Sustaining the anointing!

From scriptures, we recognise that the anointing of the Holy Spirit, among others empowers the redeemed to command exploits. For instance, Jesus Christ was a carpenter’s son for 30 years without an identity. However, when He returned in the power of the Holy Spirit, He was loaded with divinity and the Bible records that His fame went throughout all Judea and to the entire regions roundabout. We also saw from scriptures how 120 fearful disciples, who hid in the Upper room after the death of Jesus commanded exploits in Jerusalem and around the world after being empowered by the Holy Ghost (Luke 4:18-John 20:19-22; Acts 2:1-41).

However, as we all know, the reason many precious things don’t last with us is because we don’t know how to maintain them. For instance, it is not enough to acquire a car but we must also understand the need to maintain it, if it must keep serving us. Likewise, it is one thing to be anointed; it is yet another to sustain it. People who do not know how to maintain the anointing will eventually lose it. While some people only manage to sustain the unction upon their lives for 5 years, very few retain it for 15 years. There are men who used to be renowned in times past, but who have lost relevance because their anointing is stale.

Unfortunately, when the anointing leaves a man, he loses relevance and as such everything about him is affected. But that is not God’s plan for the redeemed. In actual fact, God’s plan for us is not only for the anointing to last our lifetime, but to outlive us, just as experienced by Elisha. Remember, even when Elisha was in the grave, his bones could revive a dead man placed in the same grave with him. That means, he carried his anointing with him to the grave. Jesus who also did same was quickened from the dead by the Spirit of God. As it is written: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (Romans 8:11).

With this, we understand that it is possible to sustain the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Nevertheless, there is no short cut to maintaining the anointing as there are vital forces for preserving it; when they are engaged, we will remain freshly anointed all the days of our lives.

It takes consecration: Consecration is the first vital price to pay to preserve the anointing. It is impossible to sustain the anointing when we are living in sin. Sin stinks and sinks. Thus, once we become comfortable with it, we are on the way to losing the anointing. So, it is wisdom to do something definite to arrest the sin that easily besets us, or it will hinder the flow of the anointing upon our lives like it did to Samson. We saw how Samson the anointed, became a toy in the hands of his enemies as a result of the sin of adultery. This shows that sin is a trap that destroys great destinies. Beware!

It takes fellowship: A fellowship centre is a place of fire. Remember that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. But if by chance that candle goes out, when we come into a fellowship centre where the fire is burning, the fire can be rekindled(Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:25).

It takes Kingdom Service: Serving God and the interest of His Kingdom offers unmatchable returns, which in turn, sustains our anointing. That means, we are bound to be anointed with fresh oil when we are dedicated with Kingdom service.

Fasting and prayer: Fasting and prayer is another platform for sustaining the anointing. It is important to understand that while we pray to be empowered, we need fasting to walk in power. On the other hand, fasting and prayer enhances our access to the Word which in turn, sustains our anointing.

It takes the Word: What wood is to fire is what the Word of God is to the Anointing. When we stop putting in the wood, the fire is bound to go out. So it is with the Word of God. Remember, no Word; no Anointing! So to always maintain the fire of the Holy Ghost already kindled in us, we must constantly engage the Word of God. Staying anointed requires that we stay in the Word.  Every moment we spend in the Word will count in sustaining the anointing.

Nevertheless, sustaining the anointing begins with being born again, otherwise, your effort to sustain it will be wasted. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”  For further reading, please get my books: Anointing for Breakthrough, Understanding the Anointing, Anointing for Exploits, Release of Power. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners.

We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org.