Kingdom Teachers - Lesson 5 - Hinderances to the Anointing

KINGDOM WELCOME TO TEACHERS MARY BANKS GLOBAL TRAINING CENTER PRESENTS

LESSON 5

with Apostle Kareem Flowers

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Recap foundational truths and key scriptures regarding the anointing of the Holy Spirit in ministry, emphasizing its effectual role/purpose.
2. Differentiate between behaviors and mindsets that obstruct the anointing and those that demonstrate submission to its guidance in ministry.
3. Assess whether perspectives and use of teaching methods hinder the anointing in ministry.
4. Demonstrate willingness to set aside personal thoughts, reasoning, and insights to minister according to the intent and leading of the Holy Spirit.
5. Acknowledge/Discern areas for growth as revealed by the Holy Spirit and respond with sincerity and urgency to His guidance for ministerial development as teachers.
6. Offer prayer with sincerity and urgency in response to the Holy Spirit’s counsel and chosen methods for developing His ministers (teachers).

HINDRANCES TO THE ANOINTING

RECAP: FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS ABOUT THE ANOINTING

From our previous lesson, we learned that the anointing is the manifestation of God’s selection, approval, and equipping of an individual for His purpose. It is first evidenced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, marking someone as chosen by God. However, when God approves a person for ministry, the anointing moves beyond simply dwelling within them—it rests upon them and flows through them, impacting others.

The anointing empowers ministry, enabling one to teach, preach, and minister beyond natural ability. It is the Holy Spirit actively speaking and working through an individual, often redirecting them beyond their planned lesson to meet the specific needs of the people. This divine operation is not about human effort, emotionalism, or performance but about God’s presence moving freely through a willing vessel.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit is bold and knows how to bring clarity and wisdom. He destroys yokes of ignorance and bondage while revealing Christ to those He ministers to. The anointing manifests uniquely in each individual—whether through passionate preaching, precise and direct teaching, or demonstrations of God’s power. Ultimately, the anointing ensures that ministry is effective, Spirit-led, and fruitful, fulfilling God’s purpose in the lives of His people.

Previously, we also explored the anointing and how to follow its lead in ministry. This is a very important factor. Many approach ministry with the mind of getting the Holy Spirit to work with them. However, the more effective mindset is to submit to working with the Holy Spirit. For example, have you ever experienced an interruption while ministering? You had your lesson planned, point by point. However, suddenly you are prompted to go in an entirely different direction.

This is the way the Spirit of God will always work in ministry, if He is to work at all. He has His agenda, we are to follow His lead.

In this lesson, we will build on that foundation, by focusing on hindrances to the anointing and common misconceptions surrounding it.

Throughout my years in ministry, every Christian I have met, with a heart after God, desires to be anointed. This is a good desire to have; however, it is crucial that this longing is for the “right” reasons or is rooted in a righteous motive. Now is a good time to pause and reflect on your own heart—why do you desire to be anointed?

There are many reasons a person might long for the anointing. Some desire it to be perceived as spiritual, recognized as a mighty man or woman of God, or to stand out among their peers. Others fear being exposed as carnal if they do not display some form of anointing. If these are your reasons, then your motives are rooted in self-gratification.

Consequently, you will either posture yourself to steal God’s glory or begin striving for recognition in the eyes of others.

Stop wasting time with these vanities. If you are not experiencing the anointing in ministry it is because you are not in a righteous fellowship with the Holy Spirit, (God). The anointing is the Holy Ghost working through you.

Therefore, it is not always about your limited knowledge. Though we should always be adequately versed in what we are attempting to minister, if for some reason we are lacking in the complete knowledge of a thing, if we are in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, He will speak that which we do know with an anointing that is able to edify.

Thus it follows that if there is no anointing in the words you speak, it is because the Spirit is not working through you. You are speaking from the flesh.

HINDERANCES TO THE ANOINTING

HINDRANCES TO LOWLINESS AND MEEKNESS

Consider the scriptures below:

Psalm 25:9

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Isaiah 57:15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Both of these scriptures teach us that God will only lead those who are humble, lowly, and meek. He abides with and anoints those who possess such character, empowering them to retrieve the lost from the captivity of the devil and to deliver God’s people from the blindness of ignorance.

Sin is the primary hindrance to the anointing, with pride and lack of temperance, falling under its umbrella. However, beyond sin, other factors can also obstruct the anointing. In the following sections, we will explore several of these hindrances.

Lowliness refers to a state of humility and unimportance. It is the absence of any feelings of superiority over others. Often, when individuals step into ministry, they become drawn to the attention they receive. People will begin to offer accolades, resounding applause, and words of appreciation, expressing how blessed they are by your ministry. It is easy to allow this admiration to stir pride in the heart.

Pay attention to the thoughts that arise and the emotions that take root within you. How do you feel when people tell you that you are a great teacher and that they learn better when you teach? How do you respond when they express how blessed they are by your words?

It is not uncommon for the devil to take advantage of such moments, whispering in your ear, “Wow, did you see that? You’re doing a great job! You are highly anointed!” However, this is not the voice of God. The enemy speaks these things to tempt you into taking glory for yourself.

His intent is to lead you to see yourself as the source of the anointing. He knows that if you become impressed with yourself, you will forfeit your qualification to minister.

When pride enters the heart, God will remove the anointing from your life and bring you low. He will no longer use you to truly impact His people as He desires.

Though applause and accolades may continue, the power to bring real transformation will be absent.

Meekness, refers to a humble and gentle spirit that is submissive to God’s will. It is not weakness but strength under control—demonstrating patience, self-restraint, and a willingness to trust God rather than asserting one’s power or rights.

To be a true minister of the Gospel, you must be meek.

You must exhibit self-restraint and patience. Below are a few dispositions that reveal a lack of meekness and can hinder the anointing in a minister’s life and message.

A LACK OF TEMPERANCE

To follow the Holy Spirit, you must exercise temperance.

As you minister, various thoughts may arise; however, not everything revealed is meant to be shared while you are ministering. God’s purpose for revealing something may extend beyond addressing it before the congregation.

To discern whether it should be spoken, ask yourself:

Is God telling me to say this? Spiritual discernment is important because you will not always understand why God is instructing you to say something, but if He is, say it—because that revelation is for the people, and not necessarily for you. It will reach and impact whom it is meant to reach.

If you are unsure whether God is leading you to speak, consider these questions:

• Does this information enhance or detract from what the Holy Spirit is already doing through the message?
• Will this information help the people to understand what the Holy Spirit is revealing, or will it strengthen the point being made?
• How long will it take to explain, and will the people struggle to reconnect with the original subject afterwards?

By answering these questions, you can better discern the leading of the Holy Ghost. However, if you lack meekness, you will speak impulsively, even when you know what you are about to speak will distract the people from the purpose of the Holy Spirit. Remember, it is God who is ministering through us. As you minister, you will find that you, too, are being impacted and blessed. Therefore, it is crucial to discern when God is sharing something for you and when it is meant for others.

A PERSONAL WORD VS. A WORD FOR THE PEOPLE

Building on the previous point, there are times when God may reveal something to you—whether during preparation or while ministering—that deeply blesses you. However, just because it blesses you does not necessarily mean it is meant to be included in the lesson.

Here are some common ways we may mistakenly assume that a word that blesses you is meant for the people:

• While studying in preparation to minister, you find yourself going off on tangents, exploring scriptures unrelated to your intended topic.
• A discussion about the Word of God the night before blesses you, leading you to assume it must be shared with the congregation.
• A personal testimony impacted you deeply, causing you to believe it must be included in the message. • An analogy that clarifies the Word for you is assumed to be easy for your hearers to grasp, potentially leading to misunderstanding or confusion • A sidebar of information blesses you, but sharing it could divert your hearers’ focus from the main message, weakening its impact.

While there are times when God genuinely leads us through these means, we must be certain it is His direction and not simply assume that every thought that comes to mind is from Him. It is essential therefore, that you do not become overly focused on your own thoughts, reasoning, or insights. Ministry is for the people—it is not an opportunity to share everything that blesses you. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, for His intent is to bring deliverance and enlightenment to those He is ministering to.

Sadly, many in the Body of Christ are overly enamored with themselves, valuing their intellect, their perspectives, and even their spiritual gifts/talents.

When this is the case, such a disposition will inevitably seep into their ministry. These ministers often fail to realize that their preaching and teaching comes across as self-centered—more about themselves than about the people they are ministering to. Rather than sharing what the people truly need, they present what impresses them. A true minister, however, will focus on the people. They can sift through their wealth of knowledge to present the Word with clarity, simplicity, and precision—ensuring that the message remains Spirit-led and impactful.

A POOR HANDLE ON DOCTRINE

It is essential to have a solid grasp of the doctrine you are ministering. You should be able to explain the topic scripturally and feel confident enough to flow with the Holy Spirit as you minister.

At times, ministers may avoid certain truths or topics because they lack the confidence required to effectively explain them. When this happens, fear leads them to steer away from what the people may genuinely need. On the other hand, if they attempt to address the topic without adequate knowledge, they may end up rambling, causing confusion rather than edification.

Remember, the Word instructs us to study to show ourselves approved unto God—ensuring that we are workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth (II Timothy 2:15). A minister must be diligent in study, prepared to teach sound doctrine, and fully equipped to follow the Spirit’s leading without hesitation or uncertainty.

PREACHING WITHOUT SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION

Everything we minister must be firmly grounded in Scripture. In the Body of Christ, it is common for beliefs to be formed simply by hearing sermons.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with relying on sermons, it is irresponsible to accept anything as truth without confirming it in the Scriptures. This does not necessarily mean that what was ministered was false; however, the responsibility falls on the minister to verify truth through the Word of God.

Often, those who hear the Word become teachers, passing on what they have heard in sermons without being able to provide scriptural proof in their lessons.

This is dangerous! As teachers, we must personally know the scriptural foundation of everything we teach. It is not enough to preach or teach without providing scriptural support for our message. A skillful minister can effectively use the Scriptures to minister on any topic as needed, ensuring that the message remains rooted in the truth of God’s Word.

COMPETITION AND COMPARISONS

Another major hindrance to the anointing is a spirit of competitiveness. Subtly, a desire to impress others— whether by sounding more spiritual or by appearing to have deeper understanding—can seep into the heart. When such pride is present, it will manifest as you teach. You may feel tempted to share information that elevates you in the minds of others, even if that information is not truly edifying. Instead of seeking to bless the people as a servant should, you will find yourself striving to impress them.

Thankfully, God is always faithful. He may allow someone else to come along—someone who seems more impressive, who ministers the Word with greater clarity, and who moves the people more than you do. In reality, It is not about the individual at all; it is God who does the ministry. However, if pride is not addressed, you may find yourself competing with others and feeling discouraged when they are praised or when their ministry bears fruit. This is a satanic mindset.

Remember, ministry exists for the deliverance and enlightenment of souls so that they may enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We are working to help people escape hell. If we truly love them, we will rejoice when anyone—under the anointing—is used to accomplish this mission. We must recognize that God has given each of us a unique measure, and everyone in the Body of Christ has a purpose. Everything about ministry is by God, for God, and for His people. Do not allow competition and arrogance to rob you of the anointing in ministry. A competitive disposition often surfaces in panel discussions or interactive classroom settings, where some cannot resist the urge to share what they know primarily to elevate themselves above others. Do not let pride lead your ministry into ruin. Purify your heart and rid yourself of these hindrances. Hold fast to meekness and lowliness so that you may walk in the anointing of God.

OTHER HINDRANCES TO THE ANOINTING

Here are other hindrances to explore and reflect on, bearing in mind their detriment to ministry, and accepting that reliance on the Holy Spirit is God’s expectation.

• Dogmatism:

A rigid, closed-minded approach to biblical truth

• Venting:

Using the pulpit or ministry moments to unload personal frustrations thus shifting from God’s intent

• Pacing:

Speaking Too Fast. This can make it difficult for people to understand and receive the message, leading to confusion or disengagement.

• Overloading:

Too Many Topics and Stories in One Message. Having excessive themes, scriptures, and stories can distract from the central message.

• Using the Pulpit as a Platform of Iniquity:

This is seen when a minister uses their position unrighteously.

• Dress Code (Personal or Congregational Distraction):

Inappropriate or distracting attire that shifts attention from the message to appearance

• Emulations (Copying Other Ministers):

Trying to imitate another minister’s style, voice, or mannerisms instead of yielding to the anointing as God has determined for each of His ministers.

ACTIVITIES FOR WEEK 9 (DUE DATE: MARCH 19, 2025)

Activity 1: Personal Reflection:

1. In what ways has the anointing of the Holy Spirit influenced your ministry?
2. Can you identify any behaviors or mindsets in your own ministry that may obstruct the anointing (a) in preparing to minister (b) while ministering? Explain
3. Have you ever found yourself relying more on personal intellect or structured teaching methods rather than the Holy Spirit’s leading? Explain
4. What recent experiences have revealed areas in which you need to grow as a teacher of the Word?
5. In what ways have you assumed that a word that personally blessed you was meant for others?
6. How will you apply the insights from this lesson to be the teacher that pleases the Lord? Activity 2: Crossword Challenge: Assessing Understanding of Key Concepts: Complete the crossword puzzle below. This crossword puzzle will help you assess your understanding of some key concepts and principles addressed in the lesson.

You should attempt the puzzle individually before discussing the answers with members of your mentorship group.

If required, you should make adjustments to your answers.

After completing the puzzle in your ebook, submit your answers on the designated Google Classroom Platform.

Across

2. Imitating another minister’s style, voice, or mannerisms, rather than yielding to God’s way.
5. a humble and gentle spirit that is submissive to

God’s will.

8. “_______ 25:9 - The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”
10. Sacred writings that form the foundation of all true ministry.
11. Incorporating a personal testimony into a message without truly being led by God to do so.

Down

1. a state of humility, and unimportance as well as the absence of feelings of superiority.
2. A fruit of the Spirit that points to self-restraint.
3. The manifestation of God’s selection, approval, and equipping of an individual for His purpose.
4. Subtly striving to impress others in an attempt to appear more spiritual than others.
5. “_________ ministers anchor their messages in the truth of God’s Word.”
6. A rigid, closed-minded approach to biblical truth.
7. __________ Ministry fulfills God’s purpose by breaking yokes in the lives of people. (2 words)