Fresh Anointing in the Face of Backlash

Today I want to invite us to look at something that many people see as negative and have us to turn it around and make it positive.

This definitely can be a life lesson for all of us and I'm pretty sure that many of us have done this before or have resolved to do this more – find the positive in every situation.

Certainly, the Bible encourages us to rejoice and be exceeding glad, as it is written in the king James version of the Bible in Matthew 5:12: “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”. 

The Bible also encourages us to give thanks in everything: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Now, backlash can be understood as a consequence of standing for righteousness, truth, and the Kingdom of God. So are we to be worried about backlash? Are we to see backlash as suffering? How should we respond to backlash?

It is important for us to understand that the Bible often portrayed God's people as experiencing opposition, hardship, and rejection when they chose to follow His ways. We see this happening today as well.

So let's turn our mind's eye for a moment on the negative term backlash, and think about our own personal experience with backlash. Now let's re-imagine our outlook to what many dread happening and in fact may prevent some people from doing right in a situation where the pressure is on to do wrong. 

I want to encourage us to see backlash as not only a challenge or setback; but as an opportunity for growth, deeper reliance on God, and the release of fresh anointing.

1. Backlash as a Biblical Reality

Backlash or opposition is evident throughout the Bible in the lives of prophets, leaders, and even Jesus Christ Himself. For instance:

• Jesus Christ: Jesus faced significant opposition throughout His ministry. In John 15:18–20, He warned His disciples, saying, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” He made it clear that following Him would invite hostility, but it was also part of His purpose in fulfilling the will of God.
• The Apostle Paul: In 2 Corinthians 11:23–27, Paul lists the various trials, beatings, imprisonments, and dangers he faced because of his ministry. Despite this opposition, Paul saw it as a part of God's calling and responded with resilience and faith. In Romans 8:35–39, Paul encourages believers that nothing—whether hardship, persecution, or "backlash"—can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
• The Prophets: Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets faced rejection, mockery, and even persecution because they delivered God's word. For instance, in 1 Kings 18:17–18, Elijah was confronted by King Ahab, who blamed him for the drought, even though it was Ahab's disobedience that had caused it. Despite the hostility, God's anointing on Elijah remained, and he ultimately witnessed God’s power in a mighty way on Mount Carmel.

2. From now on, we will invoke Fresh Anointing when we're faced with Backlash

In the Bible, a “fresh anointing” often refers to a renewed or deeper empowerment by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s calling, especially during times of trial or persecution. The concept of anointing is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing divine empowerment for service and mission.

• David: After being anointed by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13), David faced constant backlash, especially from King Saul, who sought to kill him out of jealousy. However, every time David faced opposition, he was also given a fresh anointing or empowerment to overcome. In Psalm 23:5, David writes, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows,” indicating the ongoing nature of God’s blessing and empowerment, even in the midst of enemies.
• Jesus and the Holy Spirit: Jesus Himself was anointed with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18), and He underwent backlash during His ministry. Yet, each time, He was strengthened by the Spirit for His mission. In Acts 10:38, Peter describes Jesus’ ministry by saying, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” This was a fresh anointing that enabled Jesus to endure rejection and opposition for the purpose of fulfilling God’s will.
• The Early Church: In Acts 4:29–31, the disciples pray for boldness in the face of persecution, and the Holy Spirit fills them afresh. Despite the threats and backlash from the authorities, the believers are empowered to continue their mission with greater boldness and power. This is a powerful example of how fresh anointing can empower believers to overcome opposition and continue advancing God's Kingdom.

3. What then is the link between Backlash and Fresh Anointing

The relationship between backlash and fresh anointing is evident in the lives of biblical figures who experienced opposition but were strengthened by God's Spirit to press on. Backlash serves as both a test of faith and an opportunity for spiritual growth. Here’s how they are linked:

• Refinement Through Opposition: Just as gold is refined through fire, so too are believers refined and purified through opposition and persecution. Backlash challenges believers to rely more deeply on God and less on their own strength. In this process, they experience a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit, which empowers them to endure and grow in their calling. In James 1:2-4, believers are urged to “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”—perseverance that leads to spiritual maturity and deeper anointing.
• Increased Dependence on God: Backlash exposes areas where we are still relying on our own strength or understanding. The more intense the opposition, the more believers are forced to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit for wisdom, guidance, and strength. In these moments of weakness, God often releases a fresh anointing to empower them in ways they could not have anticipated. 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 highlights this, where Paul speaks of God's grace being sufficient in his weakness: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
• A Deeper Purpose: In times of backlash, believers often experience a deeper revelation of God's purpose for their lives. This understanding often comes with a fresh anointing, which provides both clarity and power to fulfill God’s calling. As God reveals more of His heart and mission, He anoints believers afresh to move forward, even in the face of adversity. Jesus’ prayer in Luke 11:13 demonstrates that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask. In seasons of backlash, this can result in an anointing that empowers believers to persevere and fulfill God's will with boldness.

Conclusion

In a biblical context, backlash and fresh anointing are often intimately linked. Opposition is an inevitable part of living out the calling and mission of God, but it is also the crucible in which believers are refined, strengthened, and anointed with fresh power to continue fulfilling God's purposes. Rather than seeing backlash as a sign of defeat, believers are called to view it as an opportunity for a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit and a fresh anointing that empowers them to stand firm in their faith and purpose.

aub - 15 Jan 2025

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