Recently I have come under attack by well meaning Christians claiming that I am guilty of what it says in 1 Chronicles 16:22. It all stems from a couple articles that I have written criticizing (so called) anointed men of God. Some Christians seem to be under the impression that if you probe, question, examine, or confront a man of God about what he preaches as to whether it is in line with God's word or not, that you are "attacking God's anointed." Many wolves in sheep's clothing are counting on believers to lay down the Bible and just believe everything they say, without testing it (1 John 4:1), searching the Scriptures (John 5:39), rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15), or proving all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The majority of these so called ministers are not under authority to anyone, so they are not accountable, nor do they want to be held accountable for what they preach.

So what does this scripture mean then? The first thing you should notice is that the word touch actually means physical harm. It does not mean "that you should not criticize someone publicly." How do we know this? Because that's exactly what David did concerning Saul. It was David who said he would not harm God’s anointed, which was King Saul at the time; but He spoke out publicly about him. We should have the utmost reverence for our pastor, whom God has appointed over us to give an account for our souls (Compare Matt 23:2-3; Heb 13:17), but that still doesn't mean that he's infallible or unquestionable. He's human; he's an under-shepherd, appointed by the true Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (1 Pet 2:25) to feed the flock of God (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28-29; 1 Pet 5:2). The fact is, that as far as being "anointed", and trying to use that scripture to be exclusively for preachers is incorrect, because the Bible says that we all have an anointing from God (1Jn. 2:20)

What If Nathan (2 Samuel 12) believed the same way these preachers intend for us to believe, he would never have confronted King David about David's error? Wasn't David "anointed" (v.7) of the Lord? That didn't relinquish him from Bible integrity, accountability & responsibility!

What If Paul (Galatians 2:11-14) believed the same way these preachers teach? Paul would have had no business confronting Peter. After all Paul was the junior Apostle, Peter was an established, notable Apostle with more years of being saved under his belt than Paul. Being "Anointed" does not excuse you from being called into question for preaching heresy!

Galatians 1:6-10 tells us, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."

Proverbs 14:15 says "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going."

Does the Bible tell us to try the spirits to see whether they are of God or to believe everything that is preached as truth, unquestionable? (See 1 John 4:1; 2 Cor 11:13-15)

Did Jesus "condemn" or "commend" Christians for trying those that say they are God's anointed leaders? (See Rev 2:2; 2:9)

Did the Apostle Paul rebuke the Bereans for checking him out in Scripture to see if he was preaching the truth or did he commend them as being nobler than the others? (See Acts 17:11)

Is exposing a preacher or anybody else's teachings that don't line up with Scripture, considered to be attacking the person or their ministry? (See Romans 3:4) Believe it or not many people have bought into the lie that it is!

An example of this type of teaching from a Pastor:

"So you want to say that what I am preaching is not from God? You need to remember, "Touch Not God's Anointed". Since I have been given responsibility for this congregation and I am the shepherd, you do not have the right to question me. I am a child of God and I pray, talk to, and hear from God everyday. When you question me, you are actually questioning God. Therefore, to question me is to place your self in rebellion and in opposition to God himself. You, the congregation, know what happens when you are in rebellion. Remember 1 Samuel 15:23 "For rebellion is as of the sin of witchcraft...". Therefore, if you dare to question me, you are in witchcraft, and you are to be treated and punished the same as witches, mediums, and sorcerers, in the eyes of God..."  How unbelievably arrogant! This is just an example of how a controlling Pastor uses scripture to control his congregation. It is disgusting and despicable.

In conclusion:

It’s easy not to confront false teachings today, but it has become very easy to confront those who point it out. How many people that tell others not to touch the so-called anointed ever check out the claims for themselves and see if the claims are true? I can tell you from my experience, very few. 

To tell people not to search the Scriptures and expose false teaching is to stop people who have God’s anointed word from using it correctly! Even David later on in his ministry as King accepted rebuke and correction from Nathan the prophet. He did not say, “don’t touch God’s anointed” to protect himself, and neither should those who follow their leaders do the same.

No true apostle ever proclaimed that they were anointed, they did not speak in this manner; “don’t touch me I’m God’s anointed.” If someone were truly anointed, they would want to encourage the people to discern what is true and what is not, as Paul did. They would encourage people to pursue truth no matter where it would lead. They would love the sheep enough to protect them from falsehood and want to see them grow. They would allow the sheep to learn and think for themselves. The anointing is the Holy Spirit, and He  is the Spirit of Truth and someone who has the Spirit of Truth will never run from seeing error but will confront it when necessary. He will give someone the truth from the Word, subsequently leading us away from error.

We are not to sit idly by when we see personal spiritual revelations change God’s Word.  If men and women cannot hold to the core doctrines and instead make up new revelations or interpret the Scripture from their dreams, visions, visitations from angels or saints we are to point out that this is an unbiblical teaching.  This is what the Bible says, “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9-11). It's not opinion, its not chasing down a certain person because of any dislike; it’s a Bible doctrine that we are to practice. Those who see the error are to remove themselves from those who teach it. “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Rom 16:17-18). If you say you love the Lord lets see it by obeying Him on this matter.

So my question to those that would judge and criticize me for my articles; Are you not afraid of touching one of God’s anointed by coming against me? Or is that scripture only reserved for those that you are defending, for those that you agree with, for those of your denomination? By making your condemning remarks to me you are just as guilty, that is if what you are claiming is correct. Either way I will not be dissuaded. I will continue to stand up for the truth; after all you are not my judge God is! What I will do is continue to walk in love both for those who oppose me and those who support me. I do not judge other ministers salvation, but rather what they teach.