Anointing versus influence

Do not be deceived—influence is not the same as anointing.

Jezebel held sway over a nation,

Absalom stole the hearts of the people,

Herod commanded the fear and admiration of the masses— but the sacred oil, the anointing, never touched their brows.

Influence can gather crowds.

It can stir emotions, sway opinions, build kingdoms made of dust.

But it cannot shatter yokes.

It cannot break chains.

The anointing is another thing altogether—

it is holy fire,

it is weighty glory,

it is the very breath of God resting upon frail flesh.

Where influence manipulates,

the anointing liberates.

Where influence impresses,

the anointing transforms.

Where influence ends in applause,

the anointing ends in deliverance.

Crave not the fleeting favor of men,

but hunger for the oil of the Spirit.

For it is not the influential who will shake the earth—but the anointed,

marked by Heaven,

who will tear down strongholds,

heal the broken,

and carry the fragrance of Christ to the ends of the earth.

Let others chase fame;

you, beloved, seek the anointing.