ANOINTED TO HEAR

ONE of the purposes for the necessity of each believer to receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit is that we might be able to hear the voice of the Lord speaking to us. It is very important that we hear the voice of God in this hour — that we move in the direction He has chosen for us. God is not dead. In fact, He is very much alive! The Bible says very clearly He speaks to us today by His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). We are also exhorted to have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying unto the churches (Revelation Chapters 1 to 3). Before a man could move into a place of true leadership in the Bible, that man would first have to be anointed. God would put His Spirit upon the man He chose to do His job. He Has not changed. One of the reasons for Jesus returning to His Father in Heaven was so the Comforter (Holy Spirit) could be sent unto us. He told His disciples: "It is beneficial and right for YOU that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I WILL SEND HIM UNTO YOU" (John 16:7-15), He then told what would happen when the Spirit of God came to us: • The Spirit in us would reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. • The Spirit in us would guide us into all truth. • The Spirit in us would speak to us that which He hears from Jesus. • The Spirit in us would show us things to come. • The Spirit in us would glorify Jesus Christ. "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" (Acts 19:2). If you have, you should be conscious of those very things that Jesus told us in John 16 actually working in and through your life. He anoints us with His Spirit in order that we might hear from heaven! He speaks to His anointed by His Word and by His Holy Spirit. Through the anointing we are able to hear what God would say to us. Are you listening? Has He got your attention? The Apostle Paul said: "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, Is God; who has also confirmed us and given the earnest (surety) of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). Each believer in Jesus Christ should know this truth in reality in his own heart. We should be able to say without any doubts or reservations, "I know God has anointed me and given me the certainty of His Spirit in my heart." We cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit and see no evidences of His presence in our life. The anointing of the Spirit brings us into a relationship with God which is real and wonderful. The anointing — if we allow the Holy Spirit to speak and guide — will lead us into God's perfect plan for our life. He is the Spirit of Truth — He never tells a lie, or leads us wrong. If we will listen to Him we will not go astray. The Old Testament gives us a definite warning of the need for us to abide in, and obey the guidance of, the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Israel wanted to have an earthly king to rule them like all the other nations. God reluctantly gave in to their desire and sent His prophet Samuel to Saul. Samuel said to Saul: "The Lord sent me to anoint you to be king over His people, over Israel: now therefore you hearken unto the voice of the words of the Lord" (1 Samuel 15:1). Saul was ANOINTED TO HEAR! Hear what? Anointed to hear the voice of the words of the Lord. And Saul did hear the voice of the Lord speak — but Saul chose to listen to the voice of Israel (the people) rather than to the voice of the God of Israel! Sad to say, it cost Saul his anointing, his authority, and his standing with God. He chose to listen to the men of the church rather than to the God of the Church. Have we changed from this today? Unfortunately we still see much evidence of Christians seeking to be men-pleasers, wanting to be spoken well of, building up a good reputation, etc. — church standing — but what about the anointing? God anoints us to hear His voice! He anoints us to receive His instructions for our life. And once we have received those instructions He expects us to carry them out in the strength He gives. Let the anointing speak the Word of the Lord to your heart, for He surely has much to accomplish through YOUR life. In your own strength you will only fail, but in the strength of the anointing of the Spirit of God you will surely overcome every obstacle that would try and hinder your progress. GOD HAS ANOINTED YOU! Listen to His voice in this hour. Let the anointing of the Holy Spirit fill your life to overflowing with the knowledge of God's will, that you might possess all that He has promised you. "Be filled with the Spirit!" —