I was thinking this morning about a topic that isn’t discussed much in the church: Anointings. People often confuse an anointing with right standing before God. There is an assumption that if the anointing for ministry is great then the relationship with God is is great. Unfortunately this just isn’t true.
There have been too many reports of ministries that have been perceived as being so effective for God, transforming people’s lives , that have actually fallen short personally. Pastors, apostles, evangelists, teachers, prophets all have their own struggles with sin and trying to live a holy life. They are not immune to the same temptations we all are tempted by. Unfortunately they often don’t have a support system in place to help them be accountable or have someone that they can trust to be honest with.
We the church have too often put ministries, ministers on a pedestal and expected perfection from them. Yet, we don’t pray for these men and women of God. We don’t come alongside of them. For many ministers, they are lonely and without genuine friends. When they have doubts, and struggles where can they go without being judged? Where is their support system?
Unfortunately a minister can be struggling with a personal sin, and yet be anointed. I know personally too many ministers where this has been true. Recently someone I know, the pastor husband cheated, and left the marriage. He then went on a missions trip. The anointing was there for the people he ministered to. Many would assume all is right with this pastor/evangelist. In these cases, it isn’t an endorsement from God for the person. Rather it is the mercy and compassion of God for the people who are desperate for a touch or encouragement from God. God will use even a donkey to speak to someone. God will give the minister a time of grace to repent. It’s always better to do it privately with God rather than allow it to come out publicly. God will not be mocked. He will bring forth the sin publicly to humble the person. This is about the person’s spirit and future with God. It isn’t about destroying the person. God loves this person and wants the person to be reconciled with himself.
The point I wanted to make is that we are called to live holy lives. We all struggle with sins and shortcomings. It is God’s grace that helps us to overcome these struggles. He brings people into our lives to encourage, support and hold us accountable. No Christian can walk the walk alone. You need a support system and this is even more true of ministers. When you see someone you admire, pray for them. Hold them up to God for strength to finish their assignments with integrity so they can hear God say “well done faithful servant”.