If the act of annointing our home with oil is not in the Bible, then why do it? This practice is something that man invented, not God. I believe it is something that comes from Catholisim. I am far from being Catholic, therefore I won’t be doing their rituals. It is a man made ritual if not found in the Word of God.
Many people will compare it to Israel putting blood on the door posts so death would pass over them. You can not compare it as being the same thing. There is no replacement for the blood of Christ. His blood and His blood alone atones for sins. The practice that most charasmatics have today of “annointing” their home with oil, is a cheap imitation and counterfeit to the real thing.
I used to annoint every window and every wall in my home. Why? Because that is what I was taught. For years I went around like some crazy exorist commanding demons to flee while thinking my action was making my Father in heaven notice how much “faith” I had; and if He noticed, then He would do what I wanted.
Finally one day, something dawned on me: The night before I had watched a movie out of curiosity. It was a horror movie full of demonic images and demons. It scared the day lights out of me and I went to bed with the lights on that night. The next morning, I was still afraid. I got the oil and began rebuking all over the place–commanding demons to flee. What was wrong with that picture? I should have been more concerned about repenting than just trying to find an easy way out of making all my fear go away.
All the oil in the world would not have made my fear go away that day. It wouldn’t have mattered if I had a truck load of it and dumped it on my entire house. Exhausted and terrified, finally, I cried out something like this, “Oh God, how could I? How could I go back and do the things that You brought me out of? I have sinned! I have sinned before You! No one else saw me watch the movie, but You did. I even knew I was grieiving Your Holy Spirit, but I went and did it anyway. Please forgive me for what I did against You. If I never feel your peace again, it would serve me right. There is nothing I can do and I dare not try to fix this. You alone are the only One who can clean me up now. Please take away the horrible images in my head. Please have mercy on me and forgive me once again.”
Too many times, by annointing everything around me, I was trying to get my Father’s approval by being “spiritual.” Look at me Lord, I am using my faith. I bet I am one of your favorite kids, right, God?
No, I was not using my faith. I was using a ritual. Trusting in MY act, rather than one of trusting in God. What if one were somewhere in a prison cell where there would be no oil? What then? One would have to trust in Jesus and Jesus alone.
Too many times, it was just an excuse not to repent. After all, if I could fix my situation by putting oil everywhere, why would I need Jesus? I could go about my buisness after running from room to room, pretending I repented (But God knows) until the next time I wanted to get the oil out and cover my sin.
Now I know there is someone right now out there, who would say, “But you did it wrong. That’s not what it is about.” Maybe so, but I can tell you, that right now, there is someone somewhere who knows exatly what I am talking about and to that person I would simply say, “Stop trying to cover up your sin. Repent, for pete sake’s. God does not expect you to run all over your home trying to make it holy. Just repent.”
This ritual is also one of making the user look spiritual. It causes a dependence upon the annointer. Making them look a little higher than the one in need of prayer. It makes it look as if the annointer has all power to make demons flee. There is only One who has the power to make demons flee and that is Jesus Christ the Son of God, God Himself.
And yes, we are called to lay hands on the sick and to annoint them with oil. Yes, we are called to cast out demons, however, it is only through Jesus Christ. Taking oil and smearing it on every wall in the house is not an act of faith. That act is no better than the Word/Faith movement putting their faith in their words to create their own reality.
Repentence is a true act of faith. Repentence trusts in God. It will say, “Oh God, I messed up. I sinned before heaven and earth. I sinned when no one else saw me sin. But you did oh Lord, you did. I can not hide from You. There is nothing I can do but ask for forgiveness. Please forgive me!” No amount of oil will ever replace the blood of Jesus.
Some time ago, I was on a site and noticed someone had written something about christians annointing every thing around them. The writer was able to simply convey the truth. It was confirmation to me. I was excited, yes! Yippie! I was free! I would no longer have to go around and try to look spiritual to my fellow brothers and sisters. I would no longer have to try and get my Father’s approval by running all through my home annointing every window, door and wall. Jesus said, “It is finished.” If Jesus said, “It is finished,” then that is what He means.
“It is finished.” What wonderful and beautiful words! There is nothing I can add to that. Thank God, there is nothing I can add to that, for surely if I could, I would mess things up!
Thank you Jesus, even now, for the blood that was shed for the likes of me! You are worthy of all honor and praise! You are more than enough!
Jun 15, 2009 @ 18:46:10
Oh RH – what a beautiful article. It’s amazing – I was just considering anointing my son’s room, as he has moved out, and he had some pretty yucky stuff in his room. However, I had a check inside that it wasn’t the way. Then your article… No, I need to repent for allowing that crap in my house and for people-pleasing, and ask the Lord to cleanse both me and my house. Praise His holy name! Blessings to you for speaking this truth. mb
Jun 15, 2009 @ 19:23:08
Cherie posted the following comment in “About this blogger.” I am moving it here as it pertains to the above post:
Hello Sister. I pray that you are doing well.
They actually did anoint homes in the bible. In the book of Exodus chapter 30 it says to anoint the tabernacle which we know to be the house of God. Exodus 40:9 also states this, Leviticus 8:10, Numbers 7:1, etc… all speak about anointing the tabernacle. Deuteronomy 20:5 talks about dedicating ones home. Based on these scriptures I dont think we can blanketly say that we should not anoint our homes at all and that it’s unbiblical. At the end of the day this is a non-essential issue that as Christians we can disagree on and still have fellowship.
Blessings
—————————————————–
I answered her with this:
Cherie, I will answer your post in greater detail as soon as I get it done. Thanks!
Dec 06, 2015 @ 09:01:58
I’ve just read this. Something (ha ha) said to me google these words exactly “Is it scripture to anoint walls, windows with oil.” and your blog from yr. 2009 popped up. Every time my friends say “this or that” needs to be anointed with oil my heart is never in that. Because His heart and word is not in that. Thank you so much for confirmation on this. “It is finished” are the most beautiful soothing words in scripture. I am serving in Jerusalem right now and the warfare is powerful, but not as powerful as His word….”it is finished and the victory is His”
Jun 15, 2009 @ 19:25:03
marybee, thank you! Do something real special with that new room! Make it a music room or a craft room or something!
Aug 20, 2009 @ 06:52:43
I just read your post as I was looking up the reason why people anoit with oil, my parents (who are pastors) would carry a little with them when they went to go pray for people,…I don’t know my views on it as I am researching this now, but I think you were thinking you use it for evil spirits and that is simply not the case, (catholics used holy water) but when you told that story about the movie, it is just not in the right content, I believe it was mentioned in the bible for healing the sick, and also a spirtual thing with the holy spirit,….below is what I have found so far. I hope this helps
There are three types of Anointing for people: Sacred, medical and ordinary. The Apostle John writes in 1John 2:27, that anointing refers to a Sacred spiritual process in which the Holy Spirit empowers a persons heart and mind with YAHWEH’S truth and love. The Prophet Isaiah writes 10:27, “. . . the yoke [of the evil one] will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.” You can anoint yourself by taking some oil and place a small amount on your forehead and claim YAHWEH’S promise of HIS strength (Ps.92:10).
Today, many infant children are sprinkled with water and it is called a baptism. Technically, it is not a true baptism. Dedicating a child to our CREATOR and HIS path of righteousness is a good thing. But anointing the child with oil might be a better spiritual tool. And when that special day arrives, and dedication ceremony begins, it should be the parents invoking the Rite of Anointing. Priests should be spiritual coaches, not hired masters of ceremony.
The Apostle’s went out two by two . . ., and anointed the sick (Ps.23:5; Mar.6:13). Elders of the church are instructed to anoint the sick for the purpose of healing (Jam.5:14). The dead are anointed before burial (Mar.14:3-9).
In the hot dry climate of Judea, a guest in the home was anointed, partly as a token of honor or esteem, and partly to moisten the skin after exposure to the elements. Yahshua accuses Simon of a lack of hospitality by neglecting to anoint the head of one he had invited to eat with him (Luk.7:46). And it can be used during times of fasting (Mat.6:17-18).
Mar 15, 2012 @ 10:07:14
Actually, Psalm 92: 10, says You (G-d) anoint me with oil. We need to be careful not to take scripture out of context, or put our own interpretation on the text.
We do not anoint ourselves.
If we are sick – James says we call the Elders, those in authority, who will come to us, anoint with oil and the prayer of faith will heal the sick. There is a proper way to do things, and when e do it right – G-d’s way, the He will honour us for our obedience.
G-d told Moses in Exodus 40, to anoint all the articles in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the Ark of the Covenant, the Menorah, the Table of Shrewbread, The Altar and the Bronze Basin, these were anointed to be Holy which means ‘Set apart’ they were set apart for service to G-d. The High Priest Aaron and His son’s were anointed and set apart to be ‘Kohanim for Adonai.’ Kings, Priests and Prophets were all anointed, set apart for the calling that HaShem had called them to. Even today our Kings and Queens (British) are anointed during their coronation. The spoon for the anointing is part of the Crown Jewells, it is set apart for this purpose.
Physical anointing is important if practiced as G-d commanded in His Word. However, there is no mention of a physical anointing of Yeshua our Messiah. Maybe He was physically anointed by HaShem. But He was Spiritually anointed by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) after He was Immersed in the Yarden river.
So both Spiritual and Physical anointing is important.
I hope this is of some help.
Aug 20, 2009 @ 13:16:48
Angela, annointing the sick is one thing and is valid.
But nowhere are we told to go around and annoint every window and door. That is old Testament that came for the Isralites when God told them to do it for that time. Even then, it was just the door posts.
My point on this article is since we are not told to annoint everything around us, then why do it? In my case it was because that is what I was taught. It made me look “spiritual” and I believed it covered my sins and prtected me. If that is anyone else’s reason, it is simply wrong. There is only One who covers sin and that is the blood of the Lamb. There is only One who protects. No amount of oil can take His place.
Sep 10, 2009 @ 23:49:53
You’ll often find that the same people who are big into anointing their homes, doorways, windows, air vents etc. with oil are also the ones who believe in geniological(sic) curses even though that’s not scriptural either.
But…if doing it makes the person f e e l good, then go for it. I will, however, cause the pain to discolor after warm weather sets in..
Blessings back atcha, Cherie!
SP
Sep 11, 2009 @ 00:16:53
sadparent,
Yep. Been there and done that.
“I will, however, cause the pain to discolor after warm weather sets in..”
Forgive me for asking, but huh?
Nov 07, 2011 @ 06:31:32
Surely it was finished and no amount of human effort will change anything, Let’s trust in the LORD’S doing not ours. Blessed
Jun 06, 2013 @ 17:32:43
Thanks for this article, which I found while doing a search on ‘if anointing one’s home is biblical’. Anointing in the OT seemed to be for ‘sacred’ items in the temple of God, setting apart certain items as being ‘holy unto the Lord’ and for no other use. Also for the sick, and dry climate as mentioned above. But I can not find anywhere in the NT where Jesus or Paul talk about anointing our homes. In fact, they don’t really talk excessively about demons. I came out of the WOF movement, and yes, they believed in anointing homes with oil to ‘drive out demons’, etc. We sure lived in fear of a demon around every corner and bush. Yeah…we were into the ‘supernatural’ part, but not big on the obedience part. Sigh.
Anyway, I think you are right on. At this point in life, I am being VERY CAREFUL to examine everything I once thought was ‘Truth’ by careful study of the Scriptures. Boy, am I learning a lot. I personally am finding more scriptures about the importance of being OBEDIENT to the Word of God in EVERYTHING I think, say and do, and Disciplining myself to do so; being transformed by the renewing of my mind through the Word of God, and not accepting every thought that crosses my mind as from God! (and may I add – not be so ’emotional’; to NOT trust my ’emotions’ or ‘experiences’ to discern Truth. We all have emotions and experiences that are different from each other, but God’s Word is the same always!)
If I had been diligent to read my bible, and read the scriptures IN CONTEXT at the time, I wouldn’t have been led so far astray…
Apr 06, 2014 @ 06:17:10
I’m about to move to a new home and was wondering about the anointing of your home and whether it’s biblical, Thank you very much for this. I’m glad I live in the 21st century with internet….;-) where even “dated” articles in 2009 is of great value. Be blessed
Aug 11, 2014 @ 04:03:09
Just a tip … try spell check before you hit “post”. Also, anoint is spelled with one “n” – in your post – Is Annointing Our Homes with Oil Scriptural? I enjoyed your post by the way.
Aug 21, 2014 @ 01:14:24
yeah, thanks for the tip.
Apr 21, 2015 @ 01:46:25
While I do agree that repentance is necessary there is merit to anointing. Jesus spoke of the Pharisees when he said for them to be clean inside, as well as outside. They were complaining of His disciples not washing their hands. Jesus didn’t say you only need to be clean on the inside. He said, “you should have done the former without neglecting the latter.” It’s important to be clean inside and out. We ourselves as Christians are anointed. We are set apart for special use. So no you don’t need to set your house aside for special use. But I would advise it. You have a unique opportunity to pronounce blessing over your home. Praying over food can be considered the same thing, you don’t have to, but I prefer to. I like taking time to acknowledge that God has yet again provided for my needs. It’s holds a precious symbolism for me. Does it make me more holy? I don’t think so. It’s not about status or position. It’s about consecration and acknowledgement of my creator. Yes, repent and find peace. That will always be necessary. But consider what is in the act of offering what is yours back to God for His use.