Searching for the Anointing
By Benny Hinn

After I became a believer, I began searching for God's presence in a greater way in my life. I heard many evangelists, ministers, and teachers talk about the infilling of the Holy Spirit - but none of them spoke of the Holy Spirit as Kathryn Kulhman did.

She spoke of a Person who was real, who was alive. She often pointed her finger down at the crowd and said, "He's more real to me than you, more real than anything in this world!" 

I can remember reflecting upon Kathryn's words as I lay stretched out on my bed one night in Toronto. Every bone in my body was aching for sleep, yet my eyes were wide open thinking about the Holy Spirit that Miss Kulhman described.

In that dark room, I knew God was at work and I was more than ready to follow His leading. My heart was filled with questions, and I didn't quite know where to begin. I wondered, How can I have what that evangelist in Pittsburgh had experienced? I had developed a hunger, a craving to know the Holy Spirit in that same dimension. Yet I did not know where to begin. 

Something penetrated deep inside me and I cried and said, "Lord, please let me know You like this." The Holy Spirit immediately began revealing Himself to me, bringing His anointing upon my life. He will make Himself known to you, and you will see the results of His presence in your life, too, as you call upon Him and ask Him to come and fill you.  

The Christian life is a process of growth. If there is no growth, it is because there is death, or a lack of fresh fellowship in your life. Growth is a natural and supernatural part of life. The moment you begin life in Christ, God promised that His anointing upon you would intensify.

• The anointing that came on you when you were saved is the first level of God's anointing. God first brings His presence to cleanse and save you: "And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the Lord" (Leviticus 14:18).

• The next anointing is the anointing that brings you into ministry. This anointing enables you to serve God: "And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office" (Exodus 30:30).

• Then the anointing upon your life will bring authority. David came into authority because of the anointing upon him: "So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel" (2 Samuel 5:3).

The minute you are born again, God asks, "Do you want any more? Will you go deeper? Will you come closer?" As you surrender your life to God, the Holy Spirit moves into new levels of the anointing of God.

Some dear Christians have wondered, "Why don't I have a greater anointing?" It is not that God is not giving it; they are simply not receiving it. You receive by opening your heart to God, surrendering, and allowing Him to fill you. All that you must do is surrender. It does not cost a thing; Christ Jesus has already paid the price.