Touch not mine annointed

We've all probably heard it said many times, 'touch not mine annointed', and have been taught this translates into 'watch what you say about the man of God'. I am just curious as to any thoughts those on here have about this. Does this apply even if we don't think the man in question is truly called (i.e. it's perceived they are promoting themselves or being promoted by their pastor, etc)? Can you not like the man as a person, and voice your opinions about them as a person, without having crossed the line into 'touching the annointed'? I only ask because throughout my years in the church, I have heard people say derogatory things about a man of God, but they will quickly say "I"m not saying he's not a good preacher, but. . ." As if this justifies the comments they are making. Can you really separate the man from his ministry? I've often wondered where you draw the line. . .

Maybe no one else thinks about stuff like this, but I've often been accused of coming up with some wierd stuff to think about.

[Digging4Truth]

Well... in the 2 verses which make this statement the "anointed" being spoken of is corporate Israel.

Not the Priests, not the Levites, not the blacksmiths, not the carpenters... Israel... as a whole.

It would seem that if one were going to take this verse and superglue it onto Christianity then they would do well to keep it in the same context.

That would then be referring to the corporate church. The church... as a whole... his anointed.

To use simply in reference to ministry etc would also tend to carry a conotation that the rest of the body is UNanointed.

And the term body brings to mind that the church is one body with one head. Either the body is anointed or the body is not anointed. Christ is the anointed one.... the head of the body... when the head is anointed it runs down onto the body.

There aren't certain portions of the body which are anointed while others are not.

All of this plays right back into the original usage... speaking of the corporate body of believers.

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Well... in the 2 verses which make this statement the "anointed" being spoken of is corporate Israel.

Not the Priests, not the Levites, not the blacksmiths, not the carpenters... Israel... as a whole.

It would seem that if one were going to take this verse and superglue it onto Christianity then they would do well to keep it in the same context.

That would then be referring to the corporate church. The church... as a whole... his anointed.

To use simply in reference to ministry etc would also tend to carry a conotation that the rest of the body is UNanointed.

And the term body brings to mind that the church is one body with one head. Either the body is anointed or the body is not anointed. Christ is the anointed one.... the head of the body... when the head is anointed it runs down onto the body.

There aren't certain portions of the body which are anointed while others are not.

All of this plays right back into the original usage... speaking of the corporate body of believers.

Good point!

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Ravens

We've all probably heard it said many times, 'touch not mine annointed', and have been taught this translates into 'watch what you say about the man of God'. I am just curious as to any thoughts those on here have about this. Does this apply even if we don't think the man in question is truly called (i.e. it's perceived they are promoting themselves or being promoted by their pastor, etc)? Can you not like the man as a person, and voice your opinions about them as a person, without having crossed the line into 'touching the annointed'? I only ask because throughout my years in the church, I have heard people say derogatory things about a man of God, but they will quickly say "I"m not saying he's not a good preacher, but. . ." As if this justifies the comments they are making. Can you really separate the man from his ministry? I've often wondered where you draw the line. . .

Maybe no one else thinks about stuff like this, but I've often been accused of coming up with some wierd stuff to think about.

I think anyone that is baptized with the Holy Spirit is anointed.

1John 2:20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

Very good point. . .that is not often explained or taught when this scripture is used. It's usually made in reference to the ministry. But it stands to reason that any one filled w/the HG would be considered annointed. . . .I have never heard this explained this way before.

See I knew there was a reason I should pose my question here.

So taking these scriptures in the context they were intended means we should also watch what we say about someone in the body of Christ (i.e. a saint) just as much as we should watch what we say about the ministry. . . .yeah, you don't hear THAT preached or taught too much. .

[chosenbyone]

Ravens -

Your posts above were what the church needed to hear today. How many souls have walked away from God because of being hurt by the words of someone in the church?

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ' This is the first commandment.
"And the second, like it, is this: ' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31

[freeatlast]

Good points by all. I, for too long heard that verse preached as a threat

A threat that you better never question the "man of God"

It is derived from Catholism, that created a separate clergy class.

I have heard of some who carried it so far as to supply "armour bearers" that carry the bible for the preacher. Wipe his brow while he is preaching.

This borders on creature worship or making an idol out of those in the clergy.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Ravens

We've all probably heard it said many times, 'touch not mine annointed', and have been taught this translates into 'watch what you say about the man of God'. I am just curious as to any thoughts those on here have about this. Does this apply even if we don't think the man in question is truly called (i.e. it's perceived they are promoting themselves or being promoted by their pastor, etc)? Can you not like the man as a person, and voice your opinions about them as a person, without having crossed the line into 'touching the annointed'? I only ask because throughout my years in the church, I have heard people say derogatory things about a man of God, but they will quickly say "I"m not saying he's not a good preacher, but. . ." As if this justifies the comments they are making. Can you really separate the man from his ministry? I've often wondered where you draw the line. . . Maybe no one else thinks about stuff like this, but I've often been accused of coming up with some wierd stuff to think about.

I think if we hold to the scriptures which would teach us to not judge, to think only those things which are pure, good, holy, and of good report ...then this would not be an issue.

I do not believe the scripture is only talking about Pastors...nor does it give license to talk about the minister in any way shape or form. I believe that many situations are subjective. You can say, "I like the pastor but he didn't handle this right..." I don't think those words should be stated that way..if anything, "I like the Pastor but he does things different than I would do them but I support him." This would be more appropriate.


This goes for anyone who ministers in the church...criticism is a cancer that tears down and destroys. I do not want to be the cancerous cell that mulitplies in the body...

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by chosenbyone

Ravens -

Your posts above were what the church needed to hear today. How many souls have walked away from God because of being hurt by the words of someone in the church?

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ' This is the first commandment.
"And the second, like it, is this: ' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31

This is good!

Blessings, Rhoni