Bringing Your Flow to the Corporate Anointing | James Tan
Recap
Dr. James Tan used Hebrews 5:14 as his text: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” He cautioned that there were far too many believers who have never grown up and are still drinking milk when they should be eating solid food. A mature believer is someone who is able to discern the manifestations of Holy Spirit and the anointing. Dr. James went on to teach that there are primarily three manifestations of the anointing.
Dive Deeper
Dr. James Tan taught about the Holy Spirit and/or the anointing. He explained that in many situations, they are the same thing. Where the presence of God is, there is an anointing for that presence to manifest itself. Where the anointing is, the presence of God is there. In many ways, they are the same difference… they are one and the same.
We are part of a generation like never before. It started in Acts chapter two when the Spirit was poured out. We are at the end of that season.
Metaphor of the end of the church age: Someone cooks soup. And then by the time it is boiled down to the end, that is where all the good stuff is. We’re at the end where the good stuff is.
Scriptural text: Hebrews 5:14, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
This verse starts out “but solid food.” In earlier verses, Hebrews was talking about believers not being able to eat solid food but were still drinking milk, like babies.
The verse continues, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age.” In the body of Christ, we should always have new believers, “babes in Christ.” That’s a good thing.
What isn’t good is when a believer is 40 years old in Christ and they are still a “babe in Christ.” New babies are cute. Old babies are not. It’s time to grow up!
The writer of Hebrews says, “But solid food belongs to those who are a full age.” Then he gives us the definition of someone who is “of full age.” They are “those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Let’s focus on the phrase, “by reason of use.” Notice it does not say, “not by reason of being around…” or “by reason of hanging around.” It’s by reason “of use.” In other words, if you don’t use it, you lose it.
What this is saying is that you have to use the senses God has given you: “…who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
If believers want to grow up in God, they must position themselves to where their spiritual senses of knowing right and wrong, good and bad are being developed.
The two most power words in your life are “yes” and “no.” There is power in knowing yes and no. Some things in your life, you’re going to say no to. And some things you’re going to say yes to. It’s by reason of “use” that you will be able to discern when to say yes and when to say no.
If you exercise your senses, you can grow. If you don’t exercise your senses, you will not grow in discernment.
Example: People that are musical can tell when someone is playing off. They can tell something is off because they have exercised their senses in that area.
Your spiritual senses can be trained the same way your natural senses can be trained.
Different ministers are able to sense things when we come together because they have been trained by reason of use.
When you come to a service, be attentive. Let your heart see the movement of the Holy Spirit during the service.
James said, “You want to sit back and watch how they’re leading the service so the next time you sense that same sense, you sense when they went that way. You know what that anointing’s trying to do.”
He cautioned against those that have not bothered to train themselves by reason of use but still want the microphone. James said, “You know what they say? Some are called. Some are chosen. Others just bought a microphone… and they are neither called nor chosen.”
When believers come together in a service where the Spirit of God is moving, pay attention to the seasoned ministers and observe how they flow with the Spirit.
Did you know the anointing of God is available and is already resident in all believers? The moment you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Spirit of God moves in on the inside of you. When the Spirit of God moves in on the inside of you, He does not leave the anointing outside of you. So all believers have some level of access to the anointing right now on the inside of them.
The anointing has many manifestations. There is an anointing to preach… to heal the sick… to raise the dead. But it’s also there to manifest a good idea for a new business… to bring wisdom on how to help a troubled relationship. The anointing can manifest as anything and everything you need in order to live an abundant life.
Your answer is in the anointing. Why? Because it’s the anointing that breaks every yolk.
Read About It
Hebrews 5:14, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Discussion Questions
How would you describe a “babe in Christ?”
What does Hebrews 5:14 describe an someone that is an adult in Christ?
What is this verse talking about: “…who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”