Q. “I’d love to hear your thoughts on anointing your home, children and one another.”
In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was used by the priests as a means of sanctifying objects and individuals (setting them apart for God).
In the New Testament, there is no direction to do so.
In the NT, oil is mentioned as a means to make yourself fresh and presentable (as we might use cosmetics or lotions today). It was also used when praying for healing for others.
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14)
In the NT, anointing is symbolic of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer (1 John 2:20, 27; Luke 4:18, 2 Cor. 1:21).
While there is no specific condemnation for applying oil today to objects or persons, my concern is that it can easily be rooted in superstition. Oil has no intrinsic power to protect us from evil or empower us spiritually. It is strictly symbolic when used that way (not trying to get into the debate about whether or not essential oils have any healing properties, because that isn’t what is being discussed in this context).
It is the Holy Spirit of God that has power to drive away demons (not oil…demons are NOT afraid of oil!). It is the power of God that fills our children and helps them to overcome sin and evil (not the power of oil). We can inadvertently send a message (or wrongly believe) oil (in itself) has spiritual power, which it does not. The practice of using oil and/or holy water for spiritual protection (exorcisms for example) is rooted in Roman Catholic tradition, not in the Bible.
My concern with the practice of anointing children is it can confuse our children about where the power really lies (in God and not in the oil). I hope you will prayerfully consider this.
Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker who has been married to his wife Brook for over 25 years. Israel and Brook live in SW Michigan and are the parents of eleven children. Learn more about Israel Wayne and Family Renewal, LLC visit https://www.IsraelWayne.com and https://www.ChristianWorldview.net
Other Links of Interest
Israel & Brook’s blog
Israel’s blog
Family Renewal Facebook Page
Israel Wayne’s Facebook Author Page
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Israel Wayne on LinkedIn
Family Renewal YouTube Podcast
Israel Wayne’s Books:
Questions God Asks: Unlocking the Wisdom of Eternity
Questions Jesus Asks: Where Divinity Meets Humanity
Pitchin’ A Fit! Overcoming Angry & Stressed-Out Parenting
Education: Does God Have an Opinion? – A Biblical Apologetic for Christian Education & Homeschooling
Answers for Homeschooling: Top 25 Questions Critics Ask
Raising Them Up – Parenting for Christians
Foundations in Faith – Bible Doctrine Curriculum (7th-12th grade)
