The Power of the anointing

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:4 (RSV)

By the way he speaks, momentary emotion can make us see an anointing in a speaker, even if the anointing is not actually present. When we admire a person and his words support or reinforce our expectations, we see the anointing in him and nothing can make us see otherwise. Anointing is often interpreted by a person's charisma, the tone of his voice, his actions, the way he move, and the weight of his words. Fanaticism also makes us see anointing where it is not.

However, it is not by these characteristics that the Bible defines the anointing. It depends neither on the person's charisma, nor on his knowledge, nor on the tone of his voice, even less on his movements. Anointing according to the Bible is the power of the Holy Spirit working in us at a given time. So the anointing has nothing to do with whether we do or say something with authority and strong emotion. It is the power of the Holy Spirit manifested through us to accomplish the will of God for the glory of God and the edification of God's people.

Now, if the anointing is the active power of the Holy Spirit in us, how does that work? Do we know what the Holy Spirit is doing, when he's doing it, and how he's doing it? Should we give Him access within us? The Bible tells us: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; Acts 1:8 - NIV" Which means that it will not be up to you to give Him access, but up to Him to do so when He deems it necessary. You received the Holy Spirit at the time of your conversion but His active power is not emotional, it is very different and it serves two fundamental purposes. (1) The glory of God and (2) The edification of God's people.