Who are the anointed? Why can't we come against them? and the misinterpretation

Every time a pastor or church leader is criticized or accused, I will always hear “You can’t come against the anointed” in defense against the criticism or accusation. Instead of addressing the criticism or accusation, wagons will be circled and people will be told you can’t do that. Even personally, when I have raised a concern about a pastor’s teaching or use of a Bible verse, I was told you can’t come against the anointed. Alarm bells go off in my head when I hear this statement. Even God allows our questions (Matthew 7:7, Isaiah 1:18, Proverbs 2:6), so why not pastors or church leaders? So I wondered who are the anointed? Why can’t we come against the anointed? What happens if someone does come against an anointed? And are all pastors or church leaders automatically anointed? 

The anointed ones are individuals set apart by God for special services, primarily kings, priests and prophets. Kings like Saul, David and Solomon. Priests like Aaron and his sons. Prophets like Moses, Elijah and Elisha. Even Cyrus the Great, a non-Jew, was anointed by God for a divine purpose. The anointing was done with oil showing God’s selection and support with His Spirit for a task, representing His presence and blessing. 1 Chronicles 16:22 (also Psalm 105:15) states, “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” These verses signify God’s protection over those with a specific divine assignment. This command was for a specific person for a specific purpose. Queen Jezebel is a famous example of someone who came against the anointed prophet Elijah (1 Kings 21) and died horribly (2 Kings 9:30-37). Anointing was more prevalent in the Old Testament. The closest thing to anointing in the New Testament is the practice of laying of hands (Acts 8:18); however, there is no mention of special protection (Gonzales, 2019). Even Paul writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 about the qualifications of pastors and deacons, he makes no mention of any anointing or special protection for being God’s anointed (Gonzales, 2019). 

“Touch” means physical harm, slander, malicious mockery or interfering with their God given mission. However, this does not mean no constructive criticism or concerns. It is often used by a televangelist, a faith healer or a proponent of the prosperity gospel in defense of their actions, which makes them no better than false teachers who utilize these verses for control and their own personal gain (Gonzales, 2019). The scriptures are filled with examples of the anointed  and church leaders and teachers being challenged and demonstrates that the anointed are not above reproach as they are still flawed people. Nathan openly criticized and confronted King David after he sinned with Bathsheba and tried to cover it up (2 Samuel 8:1-14). Paul confronted Peter about his hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-21) and the Bereans questioned Paul’s teaching (Acts 17:11) and examined the Scriptures every day to make sure they were true. Even Jesus gives us instructions on how to confront a fellow believer in Matthew 18:15-17. First, we are to speak to the individual privately about the sin (verse 15). Second, if he or she doesn’t repent, then we are to bring two or more witnesses to discuss the matter (verse 16). Lastly, if he or she still doesn’t listen and repent, then we are to take the matter to the church leaders (verse 17). The purpose is restoration and protection. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:20 “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly so that the others may take warning.” 

The warning not to touch the anointed has been massively misinterpreted and used to shield religious leaders from accountability and using the verses in ways God did not intend. The passages are often used in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles to defend and deflect preachers from criticisms and accusations; however, they aren’t the only ones who misuse these passages. People who promote themselves as pastors and their ministries as “anointed” to warn off their critics. It is used to preempt any questions and scrutiny and allows them to spread falsehoods, bad theology and even predatory behaviors. Some in the prosperity gospel circles have also interpreted these passages to mean that all Christians are promised protection from all bad things. God never promises protection from harm from evil people, He only promises that he will deliver us from troubles (Psalm 34:19). In John 16:33, Jesus teaches “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus tells Paul, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

In conclusion, in the Old Testament, the anointed were people given a special purpose by God. Kings, prophets and leaders, to attack them maliciously was to attack God Himself. The demise of Queen Jezebel being a prime example of divine judgment and retribution. However, In the New Testament, no special anointing is described for pastors. In fact, every believer in Christ is anointed with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:21-22). We are allowed and encouraged to bring legitimate concerns and criticisms to the individuals, the church and the public with the purpose of repentance and restoration. To claim to be anointed is not a free pass to do and say what you want and avoid accountability. The next time, when you bring up a legitimate concern or criticism and you are told you can’t do that, know that you can and should. 

References

Gonzales, Nitoy (April 30, 2019). 6 Reasons Why “Touch Not the Anointed” Verses Are Not for Pastors. Delighting Grace. https://delightinggrace.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/6-reasons-why-touch-not-the-anointed-verses-are-not-for-pastors/. Retrieved February 3, 2026. 

Secrets of Wildflower Island: a great mystery that will keep you guessing!

Secrets of Wildflower Island by Michelle Files is the first book in the Wildflower Mystery series. The story opens with the Carmichael family, Tim, Roxanne and their 15-year-old twin daughters, Mary and Piper, as they sit down for a family meeting. They own the Wildflower Inn and Café on the island off the coast of California. Tim and Roxanne have employed girls who need a place to stay after leaving a bad home situation or after getting in trouble with the law. The locals affectionately call these girls, “The Wildflowers” and the current girls, Frankie and Anna, are working well with the family and the community. Suddenly everything goes wrong after an earthquake and tidal wave which wreaks havoc on the island and in the aftermath and clean up, the body of a teenage boy is found. Soon accusations are flying, and fingers are pointing at the less than reputable individuals in the community. Will the killer be found? Will the residents be able to restore their once peaceful and beautiful community?

Secrets of Wildflower Island is a fast-paced mystery will no clear clue as who the killer is and the reader will be kept guessing until the very end! It has an abrupt ending but since this book is the first in the series, I assume the aftermath of this case will continue in the next book along with a new mystery. The main characters are the teenage girls at the center of the case and each one has a secret to hide. I enjoyed each character and the tension and fights between the girls feel very realistic. I could easily imagine these girls in a real high school or community somewhere. I highly recommend Secrets of Wildflower Island and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Secrets of Wildflower Island

is available in paperback and eBook

The Best Kind of People: the aftermath of horrible accusations

The Best Kind of People by Zoe Whittall is the story of one family’s journey after their seemingly idyllic life is torn apart. George Woodbury saved the life of his daughter and countless other kids at the Avalon Hills Prep school when he tackled an armed man whose goal was to kill. He became the school’s hero and the town’s favorite son. A few years later, that image would be stained when he is arrested for sexual misconduct with a minor. He is sent to jail pending trial. Meanwhile his wife, Joan, his son, Andrew and his daughter, Sadie, must deal with the aftermath of his arrest. The town becomes split in two as one half vilifies George and the other half supports and refuses to believe such charges. Each tries to do their best to move on with their lives and support their husband and father. But as more and more information comes out, they each have their doubts about his guilt or innocence. As the family moves closer and closer to the trial, the ties that bind them together are getting frayed. Is George innocent? Is he being set up? Is he guilty? How will they get on with their lives?

The Best Kind of People is an interesting book with an in-depth, no-holds-bar look into what happens to a family when serious accusations are made. When we hear about someone being arrested for sexual crimes such as the ones portrayed in the book, we often forget about the family. The wife who may or may not have known what was going on. His children who must consider the fact that their father could be guilty. The story is told from the perspective of Joan, Andrew and Sadie as the days past and the reader gets insight into each character and their thoughts, feelings and reactions to the events going on around them. I highly recommend The Best Kind of People. It will make you stop and think about how adults interact with teens and what can be seen as inappropriate or simply innocent.

The Best Kind of People

will be available September 19, 2017

in hardcover and eBook