The Bible mentions two types of anointing: one with oil and the other the Holy Spirit.  The anointing of the Holy Spirit and with oil is much more related than most people realize. Anointing with oil is done for numerous reasons; you can anoint someone for their journey, the sick, your pastor, the new minister, trinkets, chairs, doorways, or buildings. The anointing of the Spirit is the special ability to accomplish the calling given to us by God.  Having the anointing takes the talents that you already possess and modifies them into “Super Talents.”  The anointing of the Holy Spirit is for all Christians, not just preachers, deacons, Sunday school teachers alone; every person in that church who is a true believer.

The events in the Old Testament are often a shadow of what happened in the New Testament and what is to come. The Israelites could see the Spirit in a cloud; we can feel the Spirit in our body.  In Exodus, God had Moses put a certain ingredient in the anointing oil and each one has significance. The same mixture of the physical oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit in your life.  God has a reason behind everything He does; each spice has a meaning along with the amounts He uses.

Holy Anointing oil Mixture:

Myrrh – 500 shekels (12.5 pounds)  Myrrh is the first ingredient in Holy anointing oil.  The myrrh tree has no season; a bitter tree sap will ooze from the bark.  The sap comes out on the tree when it wants to and disappears as fast as it comes. Jesus Christ tasted the bitter herbs out of His cup when He suffered as a man. “And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not”-Mark 15:23.
Myrrh represents one-third of the spices that went into the mixture.  Just as the myrrh has no season and the bitterness comes out on the tree when it wants too, so does our test and trials.  We never know how long they will last or when they are coming.  God sends you through seasons to prepare you for a great anointed ministry. When you have faced myrrh in your life, stand strong because the cinnamon is just around the corner.

Sweet Cinnamon – 250 shekels (6.25 pounds) The second ingredient of the anointing oil is sweet cinnamon.  Throughout the Bible, the bark of the cinnamon tree is used as a perfume due to its pleasing smell.  True cinnamon is light brown in color, its texture is thin and soft, its tube filled, its aroma is very delicate, and its taste is sweet.   God leads us from place to place where we triumph in Him.  Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ, and people can smell the sweet aroma of Him in our lives. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)

Cinnamon represents one-sixth of the holy anointing oil.  Just as the cinnamon tree’s bark is sweet to the smell and taste, so is the power of the anointing on your life.  After you have been through the myrrh, the anointing seems even sweeter.  God can anoint every talent you have, and you will experience perfection in Him. This represents the harvest that goes with the anointing.  It is the feeling you get when you know that God used you to change someone’s life.  It is all the miraculous things that take place when you let God take over your life in complete surrender, no matter what may come your way.  Enjoy the sweet cinnamon of God’s anointing!

Sweet Calamus – 250 shekels (6.25 pounds)  The next ingredient is sweet calamus, with a very sweet smelling scent.  The calamus the reed is almost always found in the bent position.  The plant loves water and is usually found growing around the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers. Christ teaches us to be humble, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” -Matthew 23:10-12

Calamus represents one-sixth of the holy anointing oil, the other half of the sweetness.  When added with cinnamon it equals 500 shekels of sweetness in the oil.  I believe God used calamus to teach us that the sweetness is obtained by being humble and rooted in the Spirit.  Christians are to keep the attitude of a servant, without showing pride. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”- 1 Peter 5:6-7

Cassia – 500 shekels (12.5 pounds)  Cassia is fourth spice in the holy anointing oil.  It is sweet smelling similar to cinnamon.  However, the color is darker, its bark is thicker, its tube is hollow, and its taste is flat.  It is actually known as the less-expensive counterfeit of cinnamon.  If you live in America, this cinnamon is probably in your cabinet.  The FDA says it is okay to label cassia the same as true cinnamon, even though it is known to be counterfeit.  Cassia naturally contains a high amount of a sweet smelling chemical called coumarin that in certain doses it can cause liver damage to humans and cancer in rats.  

Jesus said for us to not to be amazed when we see false preachers coming in the name of Christ.  Satan himself transformed into an angel, so it is also no big deal for his demons to transform into men of God. (II Corinthians 11:13-15)

It is in our nature to want to see miraculous things take place.  If you have ever been in a church or Christian concert and saw smoke, it is usually made with machines.  They are trying to imitate the essence of the Holy Spirit coming in like a cloud of smoke.  Similar to the way it filled the tabernacle in the Bible,(Exodus 40:34)   Every counterfeit has an original.  When churches cannot get in touch with the Spirit, they try to imitate what it would be like if the Spirit was there. God does not need a machine to show you His essence, all we have to do is believe.

I believe God used cassia to remind us, that without Him we are just a bitter look alike.  It smells good but very hollow inside.  We can imitate the anointing, but it will do more harm than good.  Often, we can get so used to seeing the imitation we think is the real thing. Paul tells us that the false anointing will have power, signs, and lying wonders imitating the true anointing.  He goes on to say they do not know the love of the truth and will perish. (II Thessalonians 2:9-10) Counterfeits so deceiving even His devout Christians will have a hard time telling them apart. (Matthew 24:23-25)  

We are supposed to test the spirit to see if it is real, (I John 4:1)  When you abide (dwell) in the anointing; He will reveal the truth to you.  The Holy Spirit inside of you will come against what is wrong. If you are not praying and seeking God, then your ability to discern a false spirit will not exist.  It all goes back to having a relationship with Jesus.  Spiritual discernment only comes from God.  When you have a relationship with God, nothing is impossible!  “….Because Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” –I John 4:4 

Cassia is a counterfeit but we do not have to be.  God can move in your ministry with great anointing and power, as you have never seen.  Believe in His word, believe in His Spirit, believe in His anointing, and believe in Him!    

Olive Oil – one hin (1 gallon) Olive Oil is the base, which conveyed the other ingredients of anointing oil.  The best oil came from olives that were picked before being fully ripe and then beaten.  It was one of the most valuable products of the country.  This represents the Holy Spirit; it is the foundation of the whole anointing.

The anointing comes with bitterness (myrrh), sweetness (cinnamon), humble aroma (calamus), warning of counterfeit (cassia), all held together by the Holy Spirit (olive oil)   God always has some kind of purpose for everything He does.  The anointing is when the Holy Spirit comes in your life, and strengthens the talents and gifts you already possess.  The act of which the Spirit comes down on you to accomplish the work God would have you to do is the anointing.  It does not matter who you are or what talent you have, God can anoint you so He will be glorified through you.

The greater the anointing is in your life, the greater the sacrifice is.  God anointed those who would carry on the attributes of Christ.  We are not any different from His disciples; He can anoint us the same way.  When you have a calling and anointing on your life, you are going to face trials.  Many anointed people in the Bible, lost their lives, were boiled in oil, and hung upside down.  We cannot be greater than our Master is, but the master lives within us.  I believe that God wants us today, to be in that place where we as Christians are willing to sacrifice anything in our lives for the anointing.  “No greater love, than a man lay down his life….”