LEVELS OF THE ANOINTING.

SERIES: THE ANOINTING.

TEXT: EZEKIEL 47:1-5

There are levels of the anointing and each level brings a greater measure of God’s presence, power and authority. Whether you are ankle deep or swimming in the deep waters of the Holy Spirit, there is always more to experience.

In Ezekiel 47, the prophet Ezekiel describes a vision of a river flowing from the temple of God, gradually increasing in depth as it moves forward. This passage of the Bible serves as a powerful illustration of the levels of the anointing that believers can experience. Just as the river in Ezekiel’s vision grew deeper with every step so too can the anointing of God increase in the life of a believer.

The anointing is the power and presence of the Holy Spirit upon a person for divine purposes and as we yield ourselves more and more to God, we can move from one level of anointing to another, experiencing deeper manifestations of God’s power.

Let us notice:-

THE ANKLE-DEEP ANOINTING.

• The ankle deep anointing level represents the initial experience of the anointing.
• At this level, believers have just begun to experience the presence of God and the workings of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
• This level is often associated with salvation and the first steps of faith.

1. Anointing for personal transformation.

• At this stage, the anointing begins to work in an individual’s life bringing transformation and conviction of sin.
• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live a life of holiness and righteousness (2^nd 5:17)

2. Limited influence.

• Although the believer has encountered the Holy Spirit, their influence and effectiveness are still limited.
• Just like walking in ankle deep water, the anointing at this level is not strong enough to produce significant breakthroughs.
• However, it is the foundation for deeper levels of life in the Holy Spirit.
• The disciples after the resurrection of Jesus Christ received the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”-(John 20:22).
• At this point, they had received the Holy Spirit but had not yet fully operated in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• This was only introduction to the power of the Holy Spirit.
• A greater anointing was to come at the day of Pentecost.

THE KNEE DEEP ANOINTING.

• They knew deep level signifies a greater involvement with God’s presence and power.
• At this stage the believer is more committed to spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship and service which leads to greater flow of the anointing.

1. Anointing for intercession.

• At this level, the believer begins to experience the power of prayer and intercession.
• Just like knees are bent in prayer the knee deep anointing, empowers believers to intercede effectively, breaking through spiritual barriers and standing in the gap for others-(James 5:16).

2. Greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

• Knee deep water is a point where the current begins to influence your movement.
• Similarly, the believer at this point and level starts to sense the leading of the Holy Spirit more clearly, yielding to God’s guidance in their decisions and actions.
• In 1^st Kings 18:42-44, –Elijah demonstrated the power of knee-deep anointing through intercession.
• After praying seven times, he saw the manifestation of rain as a response to his fervent prayers. Elijah’s posture of prayer on Mt. Carmel snows the power of effective intercession through the anointing.
• Elsewhere in Zachariah this level of anointing is called the Spirit of grace and supplication.

THE WAIST-DEEP ANOINTING.

• The waist-deep anointing level, believers are actively involved in ministry and the work of the Kingdom.
• This level of anointing equips individuals for effective service, enabling them to preach, teach and minister with authority-(Acts 1:8).

1. Anointing for ministry and service.

• At the waist-deep level of anointing the believers are actively involved in ministry and the work of the Kingdom.
• This level of anointing equips individuals for effectively service, enabling them to preach, teach and minister with authority.
• At this stage believers are fully engaged in spiritual walk experiencing the flow of the Holy Spirit in a much greater measure.

2. Increased authority and power.

• With the waist-deep anointing, there is a noticeable increase in authority, believers begin to move in spiritual gifts, such as hearing, prophecy and deliverance.
• As the waters rises it becomes harder to stand on your own, signifying a greater dependence on the Holy Spirit-(Isaiah 61:1).
• A good example is Peter’s ministry in Acts 5:15.
• Peter who once denied Jesus Christ, began to operate in a higher level of anointing after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
• People brought the sick out into the streets so that Peter’s shadow might fall on them and heal them.
• This was a demonstration of waist-deep anointing, where the authority and power of God flowed mightly through a believer.

THE OVERFLOWING ANOINTING (WATERS TO SWIM IN).

• This final level of anointing is represented by waters that are too deep to stand in or walk.
• These are waters that require swimming.
• At this stage, the believer is fully submerged in the Holy Spirit and completely surrendered to God’s will.
• This level of anointing is where extraordinary miracles signs and wonders begins to occur.

1. Fullness of the Holy Spirit.

• At this level, the believers experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
• They are led entirely by the Holy Spirit and walk in the power and authority of God-(Acts 10:38)
• Jesus Christ was so anointed by the Holy Spirit and power.
• He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.
• This is the level where believers become vessels of extraordinary miracles and divine encounters.

2. Anointing for nations.

• The overflowing anointing is not just for personal edification but for the transformation of nations.
• Believers at this level are used of God to impact communities, regions and nations for His glory-(Isaiah 61:1-3).
• This level of anointing goes beyond local ministry to global impact.
• In Acts 19:11-12, the Apostle Paul operated in the overflowing of the Holy Spirit.
• God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, such that even handkerchiefs and aprons that touched him were taken to the sick and their illnesses were cured and evil spirits left them.
• This is a manifestation of the deep, overflowing anointing where God works in supernatural ways.

HOW TO MOVE FROM ONE LEVEL TO ANOTHER.

• The journey through the levels of anointing is a progressive one and it requires a greater hunger and thirst for God, personal sacrifice and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

1. Hunger for more of God.
   • There must be deep hunger and thirst for more of God’s presence and power-(Matt. 5:6).
   • God responds to those who earnestly seek Him.
2. Yielding to the Holy Spirit.

• Each level of anointing requires a greater level of surrender.
• Just as the river became deeper in Ezekiel’s vision, believers must yield more and more and more to the Holy Spirit allowing Him to take full control of their lives and ministries. (Gal. 5:25)

3. Faithfulness in the current level.

• (Luke 16:10)-“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
• Faithfulness in the level of anointing that one currently operates in will open doors to higher levels of divine empowerment.

CONCLUSION

• There are levels of anointing and each level brings greater measure of God’s presence, power and authority.
• Whether you are ankle-deep or swimming in the deep waters of the Holy Spirit, there is always more experience with God.
• Enoch walked with God until he was taken, Elijah served until he was raptured.
• God desires for His children to grow in the anointing, moving from level to level until we are swallowed up in Him.
• What level of anointing are you this night?