By Steve Backlund

What is the key for us to be free from sin, sickness, poverty, demonic oppression, and other curses in life? Is it the anointing or the truth? Let me first make the case for the power of God manifesting through anointed people. 

The anointing is the Holy Spirit’s ability and power enabling us to do what God has called us to do. It is illustrated in Acts 10:38 which says, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

Christ is not Jesus’ last name, but it means “the anointed one”. Jesus Christ literally means, “Jesus the Anointed One”. When He started His ministry in Luke, He quoted from Isaiah 61, “​​The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor, . . . heal the brokenhearted, . . . to comfort all who mourn, . . . to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:1-3). Jesus was sent by the Father to help others be transformed. We too have the same assignments. “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21)

The Apostle Paul affirms the importance of the anointing. He says, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). 

Bill Johnson has been a big influence on my life, and he emphasizes a gospel of power. He is the senior leader of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, which has a school of supernatural ministry that has trained thousands to walk in and release the anointing of God to bring healing, deliverance, miracles, and more. The school emphasizes that everyone, not just a select few “super Christians”, can do the works Jesus did and even “greater works” than He did (John 14:12).

So, it is clear that the anointing/power of God is crucial to create freedom, but I believe if we are to stay free and increase in freedom we will need to believe truth.

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” (John 8:31-32) Romans 12:2 says we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. 

I frequently share this in speaking engagements to emphasize the importance of taking ownership of our beliefs. “My level of freedom ultimately does not depend on what the people who pray for me believe, but it will be determined by what I believe.” I value the breakthrough that I receive through anointed people, but there has to be a time when I take responsibility for my own beliefs.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Ephesians 6:16) The shield of faith (or we could say, “the shield of good beliefs”) is vital to our freedom from demonic influence. If we are believing lies about God, ourselves, other people, and our circumstances, we will not experience the freedom God intends for us. 

So, in conclusion, let’s pursue the anointing and spiritual gifts in our lives (1 Corinthians 14:1) so that we can be the miracle-releasers for others, but let’s also understand that true and long-lasting freedom does not come from the anointing of another person, but it radically increases as we renew our minds with God’s truths, instead of the lies of the enemy.