But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Whenever I read these verses written by Paul and inspired by the Holy Spirit, I am encouraged as a believer in Christ. As one author shared concerning this passage, “We may not be Apostles, but we are like the Apostles in being the prize that Christ won in defeating the devil. We are part of the joy that was set before Christ (Heb. 12:2), and we are part of His victory procession, called to spread the fragrance of the gospel wherever we go.” The Word of God is truly beautiful when we understand it in context.

Several years ago, while still in the prophetic movement, I wrote some blog entries regarding the anointing of God and oil. One of a select few of verses I referenced was this very verse. My writing at that time had more of a mystical approach, ascribing words to the name of God. I spoke of a transformational oil spill coming in the spirit, one that would alter the spiritual landscape of the church. I spoke of those who would linger in His presence and break themselves open, releasing the fragrance of God wherever they went. The oil of intimacy was of great focus while indirectly creating a hierarchy of believers, those who chose to linger in the secret place and those content in the shallows of religion.

It is quite humbling and embarrassing to reflect on these words now as they were not glorifying God, but rather exalting self. The words were vague and diminishing Scripture while elevating private revelation. To be frank and with a pun intended, my writing then was word salad, and this particular salad needed some oil and vinegar. In all seriousness, I am thankful the Lord granted me repentance from such practices. The words I wrote in this way were not prophetic and were vain imaginations from my own mind. I wish they had been tested when I wrote them and corrected, but they were not.

I make this observation in the hyper charismatic movement regarding what is deemed prophecy: there is little to any testing and much of it passes without proper inspection. Personal and private revelations are given priority among large audiences, and though Scripture is given lip service, it runs the risk of being misappropriated and abused. Such is the case with what I wrote. Rather than focus on the gospel and the glorious news of our Savior and whose metaphorical fragrance is released upon sharing the gospel, the star of the show is the human vessel broken open and releasing the fragrance.

These types of mindsets truly create a mentality of the “haves” and “have -nots”, the anointed and the religious whitewashed tombs. Many are even looking for an impartation from a well-known or beloved leader in this movement. Special anointings perceived in Scripture are taught and sought. The concern of losing the anointing or Satan stealing the anointing is also of concern to some. Modern-day self-appointed apostles believe themselves to have a special anointing. Teachings are perpetuated that you are to seek the anointing, desire the anointing, unlock the anointing, and carry the anointing. I can recall being taught that we needed to be oily and not rely on someone else’s oil that they labored to get.

The Bible tells us otherwise. It tells us that believers have been anointed by the Holy One (1 John 2:20). God sends His Holy Spirit to indwell us at the moment of salvation. Romans 8:11 says, “ If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” God has established us in Christ Jesus and has anointed believers, giving His Spirit as a seal and a guarantee (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

We are not instructed to seek our own anointing. We do not need to be on the lookout for a prophetic oil spill. Scripture is encouraging and clarifying to us when we understand there is no need for something we already have been given by God and when we know for what purpose it has been given. No believer is more anointed than another, and no individual has their own anointing to which personal claims can be made. We are to glorify Christ who is the anointed One. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are sanctified and conformed into the image of Christ for His glory, not our own. God’s written Word prophetically testifies of such glorious truths, far better than the vain imaginations I once ascribed to God. Thank God for sending His Son to die for us. Thank God for sending His Holy Spirit to abide in us and thank God for His Word sanctifying us in the truth. The anointing given by His Spirit is sufficient.

Listen to this episode, looking at two of my former “prophetic words” and what Scripture shows us about the anointing given to believers: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: A Prophetic Oil Spill of Vain Proportions on Apple Podcasts