Winter 1987
The Power of the Anointed Word
Wade E Taylor

Words project either a picture image of their meaning, or express a relational value in their use. We picture the idea, object or action that a word refers to as we hear its sound, and thereby understand its meaning.

Thus, if the word "canoe" is spoken, the image of this word is formed in the mind of the hearer, and the word is understood. But, Jesus said that the words which He spoke were more than this. He said that they were "Spirit" and "Life".

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" John 6:63.

This indicates to us that these words which were spoken by Jesus contained much more than just the impression of an object, action, or idea. Notice that neither the word "Spirit" nor the word "Life" conveys a picture of its meaning. Rather, their meaning is found in the resultant power that is conveyed through them.

When these words which Jesus spoke are repeated by us, they must be anointed if they are to convey the original purpose for which they were intended. This is true of the entire Bible, which is uniquely different from any other book that has ever been written.

Therefore, it can be understood that the meaning of Scriptural words was not the only purpose for which they were given. "Spirit" and "Life" are to be conveyed through them as well. Whether or not there is an "Anointing" upon these words when they are either spoken or read, is very important.

"But unto them which are called. . .Christ (the anointed one, or the anointing) the power of God, and the wisdom of God" 1 Cor 1:24. The emphasis here is upon the Anointed One, or the Anointing. The Lord has established a principle that the "Anointed Word" is the vehicle through which He will both bless and meet the needs of His people.

It can be seen that each "Anointed Word" is as a little dump truck that is carrying a cargo of "Spirit and Life". The fuel that runs the dump truck is the anointing. Without the anointing, all that is received is an intellectual concept of the word.

"Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life" II Cor 3:6.

If the Word that is ministered to us is anointed, we receive spirit and life. This is the reason that we can listen to a good message, and not necessarily remember much of it, but still be fed: because it is not the Word alone that ministers to our spirits. Rather, it is the "Spirit and Life" that it contains.

As we hear an anointed Word, it is imparted into our spirit. Later, as we read our Bible, or participate in a service, and the anointing "touches" this imparted Word that has now become "Spirit and Life" within us, it is released up into our minds, and spiritual truth and power flows into our understanding.

Have you ever noticed that while reading your Bible, or sitting in a meeting listening, that all of a sudden something of spiritual understanding unfolded within you, and you wondered where it came from? It is this principle at work.

The Word of God is never fully understood through study, but rather by revelation. This is as the "seed" that falls into the fertile soil of our hearts. After it falls, it is buried, out of sight. Later, as it develops in response to the anointing, it will be released with increase, and then come into our understanding. Notice that it always flows from our spirit to our mind, never from our mind to our spirit.

We will be amazed at how much we know about the Lord and spiritual things, as we respond to His ways. He has much to impart to us, as our spirits are open to receive. For this to be a reality in our lives, we must seek to listen to the "anointed Word", and spend time "waiting upon Him" in His presence.

As we respond to His anointed Word, knowing that He has made us to be spiritually sensitive, we can begin to receive and to understand the things of His Kingdom. This is what Jesus meant when He said, "Let him that hath an ear hear."

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" I Cor 1:25-27.

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and the riches of the Glory of His inheritance in the Saints" Eph 1:18.

How marvelous are His ways, for He has made His Anointing available to us that we might truly know Him.