You have unction ∙

You have unction ∙

But ye have an unction from the Holy One. Ye are anointed with the Holy Spirit. – 1 John 2:20 (KJV)

Acts 16:12-15

 12 From there, we reached Philippi, a major city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We stayed there for several days.

 13 On the Sabbath, we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer. We sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.

 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

 15 She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

What is electricity, and how does it work?

Electricity is made up of atoms. These atoms serve as a secondary energy source generated from converting primary energy sources such as coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power, solar power, etc.

Electricity operates within closed circuits, requiring a complete loop for moving electrons. Flipping a switch on completes a circuit, allowing electricity to flow, whereas turning it off breaks this loop. This principle enables electricity to travel through wires, illuminating a light bulb and powering devices like your TV or household appliances.

You can have a fantastic light bulb capable of producing light and warmth. But without electricity, it remains dark and cold.

The unction of the Holy Spirit can be likened to the role of electricity. People without unction are just like light bulbs without electricity. The unction or anointing of the Holy Spirit is the power that equips the children of the King to serve Him effectively. They bring light and warmth into a cold, dark world.

Biblical understanding and communication begin with the factual knowledge of the objective Word of God. However, spiritual understanding and comprehension are equally crucial. How do we acquire knowledge and understanding? We need the Holy Spirit. Through His intervention, we receive, understand, appropriate, apply, and share God’s truth (Grant Richison).

The story of Lydia illustrates how the Holy Spirit works. The Father opened her heart, allowing her to grasp and embrace what she heard. This reveals the Holy Spirit’s extraordinary ability to draw individuals to the Lord Jesus Christ and showcases His pivotal role in spiritual enlightenment and conversion.

REFLECT & PRAY

The enemy of our souls does not want the glorious light of salvation to shine into people’s hearts. As the god of this age and the prince of this world, Satan is at work to keep us in the dark (Wiersbe).

Father thank You for providing the unction of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for opening my heart to understand and accept the Truth of the Word of God.

INSIGHT

During the Old Testament period, anointing involved both recognition and empowerment. Kings and priests were physically anointed with oil. This was analogous to an inauguration ceremony. Anointing empowered many individuals to carry out the Father’s tasks. The Old Testament prophets were anointed as needed by the Holy Spirit to receive the Father’s revelation and pass it on as prophecy.

Ezekiel 11:5 The Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and he said to me . . ..

Old Testament prophets needed power from the Holy Spirit to speak and communicate the Father’s message. They were akin to lamps that, while designed to spread light and warmth, needed an external energy source to shine. This vital energy was provided by their anointing by the Holy Spirit.

The Greek term translated as unction or anointing is chrisma. Chrismacomes from chrio, which means to anoint. Chrio literally meant to spread or pour oil or ointment. Chrismawas also used for commissioning and empowerment.

During the Old Testament period, special anointing oil was prepared. It was referred to as chrisma hagion – holy oil. In the New Testament, chrisma was also used for the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word chrisma is used only three times in the New Testament: 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27, and 2 Corinthians 1:21. The unction of the children of the King is not the physical “oil of anointing” (Exodus 9:7). Rather, they were anointed with something vastly superior, the Holy Spirit – pneuma hagion.

The apostle John writes to the children of the King to remind them of who they are and what they already have. “The object of the apostle in writing was not to communicate fresh knowledge but to bring into active and decisive use the knowledge which his readers already possessed” (Wescott).

The unction of the Holy Spirit equips the children of the King with profound spiritual insight and understanding and the ability to share it powerfully and effectively. Prophets do more than merely relay messages; they provoke thought, which often leads to a perspective transformation among those who hear their words.

1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One. Ye are anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Lydia was a woman of faith, a God-fearing Gentile. She yearned to be in the presence of the children of the King and to hear and absorb the word of God. What motivated her behavior? What was the source of her earnestness? The Holy Spirit worked within her, drawing her heart towards the Father. She felt the tug of the Holy Spirit in her heart. Soon, her heart opened to receive and embrace the message.

Acts 16:14 One of them was Lydia . . . who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

Lydia’s heart was opened at the moment the Holy Spirit’s unction/anointing empowered Paul’s preaching.

1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him lives in you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true – it is not a lie. So, just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

Feeling the tug of the Lord is common among children of the King. When we hear His voice, our response should be, Father, what would You have me do?

Pause for a moment and allow these words to sink in.

The ancient Greeks believed verbal communication needed to embody three key elements: logos, ethos, and pathos, forming an indivisible unity. Logos pertained to the logical aspect of the message – its rationality, truthfulness, and alignment with reality. Ethos is related to the moral integrity of what was spoken. Was it ethically sound and, consequently, inherently beautiful? The synthesis of logos and ethos gave rise to pathos, the fervor, and passion with which the message was delivered.

The way people hear, absorb, and react to a message varies from person to person. The Holy Spirit navigates this immense complexity effortlessly. Through the unction of the Holy Spirit, hearts and minds are opened, enabling the Father’s message to be heard and embraced.

Is the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart?

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© Dr. H 2024