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Anointing oil, an open Bible and olive branches on a stone terrace overlooking Jerusalem

House of Anointing

Can I use anointing oil every day?

Yes. Daily personal anointing is consistent with the biblical practice of using oil as an ordinary part of life. Throughout the Old Testament, anointing was familiar among the people of Israel and was associated with joy, well-being, blessing and restoration. Ecclesiastes 9:8 encourages us not to let our heads lack oil, while Psalm 104:15 describes oil as something that makes the face shine. The importance of this familiar practice becomes particularly clear when we examine what happened when people deliberately refrained from anointing themselves. In 2 Samuel 14:2, Joab instructs a woman not to anoint herself so that she will appear to have been mourning for a long time. Daniel likewise refrains from anointing himself during a period of mourning (Daniel 10:2--3). When David's mourning comes to an end, however, he rises, washes, anoints himself, changes his clothes and enters the house of the Lord to worship (2 Samuel 12:20). Anointing was thus a visible expression of restoration and a return to ordinary life. Jesus confirms its familiar character in Matthew 6:16--18, instructing His followers to continue anointing themselves when fasting rather than using their appearance to attract religious attention.

Daily anointing also provides a beautiful prophetic image of the continual presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The golden lampstand in the Tabernacle required a fresh and ongoing supply of pure olive oil to keep its lamps burning (Exodus 27:20--21). Its flames could not continue without that supply. Likewise, believers depend upon the continual work of the Holy Spirit to live for Jesus Christ and reveal His light to the world. Personal anointing can become a daily expression of faith in this spiritual reality, a moment to acknowledge that we belong to the Lord, have received His Spirit and desire to live under His authority. It does not mean that the Holy Spirit departs whenever we forget to anoint ourselves, nor should daily anointing be turned into a new religious requirement. Our spiritual anointing is established through Jesus Christ, who has sealed us with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21--22). The outward act gives expression to that inward reality. Rather than reserving anointing oil exclusively for extraordinary circumstances, believers may embrace its personal use as part of an ongoing lifestyle of prayer, worship and dependence upon God.

House of Anointing

Key Scriptures