1 John 2:20 – But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
One of the big problems in the early church was that many Christians would drift off course because of listening to what John called false teachers. John was insisting that each one of the believers had received an anointing from the Lord themselves and they could lean into the Lord and the anointing to keep themselves from error. We have similar problems today but live in an even more precarious time than the early church. We live in a world dominated by technology that has become a big part of all of our daily lives. There are so many so called teachers available on the internet, influencers and individuals teaching their own theories with no accountability. Without a firm grasp on God’s word and the anointing that leads you into all truth it is easy to get sidetracked. Here is something from Thomas Manton that addresses this anointing that teaches us.
“Let us improve our anointing and discover it in all companies, temptations, exercises, businesses. Wherever you come, show forth the fragrancy of your good ointments. In your converse with God, pray in the Holy Ghost, that is, pray as one that has an unction, with a savory spirit, and enlarged affections. In your converse with men all your words and actions must savor of this ointment.”
So this brings us to a place of protection from error in these dangerous times. This teaching comes from one of the apostles, John, who was actually writing scripture as he composed this letter. Our instruction is to pay close attention to the apostolic doctrine revealed in the written word of God and to the anointing that abides in us and upon us. This will keep us from falling into the mine fields that are leading many into doctrinal error. Along with God’s word we should press in by praying in the Holy Ghost. Praying for extended times in the Spirit will increase the anointing in your life and will help keep you from falling into a ditch dug by promoters of doctrinal error. We have an anointing from the Holy One and He leads us into all truth.
