Can an Anointing Be Taken Away? What an Anointing Is, Who Can Give It, and How It Functions

In the Bible, the concept of anointing holds significant spiritual and practical weight. Anointing refers to being set apart, consecrated, or empowered for a specific purpose by God. But can an anointing be taken away, and how does it function in the life of a believer? To answer these questions, we must first understand what an anointing is, who can give it, and the different types of anointing described in Scripture.

What Is Anointing?

An anointing can refer to two main types:

1. Physical Anointing: This is the act of applying oil, often as a symbol of consecration, blessing, or empowerment. It is a visible, external sign used for specific roles like kingship, priesthood, or healing.
2. Spiritual Anointing: This refers to the empowerment by the Holy Spirit. When a person becomes a follower of Christ, they are spiritually anointed through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This anointing equips and empowers believers for spiritual life, ministry, and service to God.

Who Can Give an Anointing?

• Physical Anointing with Oil: In the Bible, certain individuals were designated to anoint others with oil. Prophets, priests, and elders often carried out these acts:

  • Prophets like Samuel anointed kings such as Saul and David (1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 16:13).
  • Priests were consecrated with oil for service in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:30).
  • Elders in the New Testament were instructed to anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord as part of the healing process (James 5:14).
  • Believers who are spiritually mature can also perform physical anointing in the context of prayer, healing, and consecration.

• Spiritual Anointing: This comes directly from God through the Holy Spirit. No human being can bestow this kind of anointing, as it is a sovereign act of God. All believers receive a spiritual anointing when they place their faith in Christ (1 John 2:20, 27).

Types of Anointing and Who Can Give It:

Type of Anointing	Who Can Give It
Physical Anointing (with oil)	- Prophets (e.g., Samuel)
	- Priests (Old Testament context)
	- Elders of the church (James 5:14)
	- Mature believers (in the context of prayer and healing)
Spiritual Anointing (Holy Spirit)	- God alone, through the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20-27, Acts 10:38)
	- This is a direct gift from God that no human can control or bestow; only the Holy Spirit gives spiritual anointing.

Can an Anointing Be Taken Away?

The answer depends on the type of anointing:

1. Spiritual Anointing by the Holy Spirit

When a person is anointed by the Holy Spirit, this signifies their salvation and inclusion into the body of Christ. This type of anointing is typically considered permanent and cannot be taken away. In Ephesians 1:13-14, the apostle Paul describes the Holy Spirit as a "seal" that guarantees the believer’s inheritance in Christ:

“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

This means that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which anoints all believers, is a lasting mark of God’s promise. As Romans 11:29 tells us, “For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”

However, believers can grieve (Ephesians 4:30) or quench (1 Thessalonians 5:19) the Holy Spirit through persistent sin or disobedience. This doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit leaves the believer, but it can lead to a loss of fellowship with God, joy, or effectiveness in ministry until there is repentance and restoration.

2. Anointing for a Specific Role or Task

In certain cases, anointing for a specific role—such as a king, prophet, or judge—can be removed due to disobedience or rebellion. The Bible gives examples where individuals lost their anointing for leadership or ministry due to failure to follow God's commands.

• Saul’s Example: King Saul was anointed by God to be the first king of Israel, but after repeated disobedience, God rejected him as king. In 1 Samuel 16:14, it says, “Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul.” Though Saul remained in power for a time, God had chosen David to replace him, showing that the anointing for kingship was taken away due to disobedience.

• Samson’s Example: Samson was anointed with supernatural strength to deliver Israel, but after breaking his Nazarite vow and revealing the secret of his strength, he lost his anointing. Judges 16:20 records that, “But he did not know that the Lord had left him.” However, Samson’s strength was restored in his final moments when he prayed to God for one last act of power.

Can an Anointing Be Restored?

Restoration is possible when there is genuine repentance. The Bible gives examples of individuals who, after falling into sin, were restored to their roles and relationship with God:

• David’s Restoration: After David’s sin with Bathsheba, he prayed for God to restore the Holy Spirit’s presence in his life. In Psalm 51:11-12, David pleads, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” Though David sinned, he was restored because of his sincere repentance.

• Peter’s Restoration: After Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus restored him to leadership by commissioning him to "feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). Peter’s repentance and restoration show that anointing can be recovered through faith and obedience.

Conclusion

So, can an anointing be taken away? The answer depends on the type of anointing:

• Spiritual anointing through the Holy Spirit is a permanent mark of salvation and cannot be removed. However, a believer’s relationship with God can be affected by sin, leading to a loss of joy and effectiveness until repentance occurs.

• Anointing for specific roles or tasks, such as leadership, kingship, or ministry, can be taken away due to disobedience, as seen in the lives of Saul and Samson. However, restoration is possible through genuine repentance, as seen in the examples of David and Peter.

Ultimately, the key is to remain faithful and obedient to God, trusting in His guidance and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to empower us for the tasks He calls us to. Whether in leadership, ministry, or everyday life, God's anointing equips us for His purposes—and with repentance, even when we fail, He can restore and renew us.