“Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.”

Psalm 105.15

Israel traveled from one Canaanite nation to another under Joshua’s leadership. They went from one kingdom to another, and God protected them. He did not allow anyone to do them wrong. His kings and priests (anointed ones) along with His prophets were protected from harm. God’s providential hand preserved the leadership of Israel. These were God’s anointed ones, God’s prophets.

The Misuse of Psalm 105.15

Today, all those chosen in Christ cannot be harmed. Enemies may kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. But Psalm 105.15 has been mistreated by would-be followers of Christ today. Many so-called Bible teachers have utilized this verse to stifle those who criticize their teaching and preaching ministry. They believe people are dead or have cancer today because they criticized God’s anointed one, namely the Bible teacher himself. They identify as God’s anointed one for the purpose making certain they are no open to rebuke or censure when they sin or spread false teaching.

All Christians Are God’s Anointed Ones

What these supposed leaders fail to realize is that every single believer is an anointed one today. As children of God, we are anointed with the Spirit of Christ. Our goal is to live a life that is sober, realizing the great joy of our position in Christ.

Reigning Kings

Kings, prophets, and priests were anointed by God in the Old Testament. Yet all things are ours as New Testament saints. “All are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3.21-23). We will reign as kings with Christ because we submit to Christ. 

Every Believer a Priest

We have access to God through Christ. In this sense we are all anointed priests. We need no earthly mediator to intervene for us. Our only Mediator is Christ Himself at the right hand of the Father. So, every Christian is God’s anointed one. Every Christian will live as long as God deems fit for him or her to live.

Thus Saith the LORD!

As God’s anointed, we must speak even as the prophets of old spoke. But we are not prophets. We are not providing the world with new revelation from God. We are simply speaking what God has already revealed. Those who have Christ in them, will also have Christ come out of them.

The Irony of Misinterpretation

No one can really do us any harm. God works all things together for good to those who love Him, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Sorrow, pain, sickness, trial, and difficulties all become vehicles God uses to transport us safely to our destination in the Father’s house.

Evil exists in this world, but it cannot really harm us. Peter was delivered out of prison just before being executed. James was beheaded and never released. Are they not both the anointed of the Lord? Did either one suffer harm? Did God protect and love Peter in a way that He didn’t protect and love James? Who was harmed? Neither. One just happened to be transported into the Savior’s presence faster than the other.

What a shame that Psalm 105.15 is used to abuse and fleece the sheep by supposed shepherds! Often, supposed Christian leaders use this verse as a crook to beat sheep into submission and keep themselves in a position of prosperity and luxury. When in truth, these leaders are seeking to harm the very anointed ones God is protecting. What irony! A very scary thought for these would-be followers to be sure.

Let’s make sure we understand our position as beloved children. Let’s make sure our condition reflects that position.