Anointed versus Talented: Whats the Difference?

Talent is defined as: "Natural endowment or ability of a superior quality". The word talent comes from a Greek word that also tells us about something of great value as described in Matthew 25:15-30.

Talent for artists is the skill and natural ability to create. It can be enhanced by training and practice. Being anointed is the very power of God that uses that talent to accomplish God's purpose or plan.

In the scriptures the actual practice of anointing was to apply oil to a person or a thing. Anointing did have its uses for ordinary purposes such as with scented oils or protecting leather, and for medical purposes for the sick or the wounded (although not necessarily with oil).

Sacred anointing was to dedicate a thing or person to God. The oil symbolized the Holy Spirit, empowering them for a particular assignment in the service of God. "Messiah" from the Hebrew word "mashiah", and Christ from the Greek "christos", meaning "the anointed one" or the one who is empowered to do the assignment (in this case, redeem mankind back to God).

So what does this have to do with artists? God has given artists the raw talent to create. Again, training and practice help refine that talent. But when it comes to doing an assignment or accomplishing a task for God involving your creativity, it can ONLY be done with the empowerment from God working with the basic talent. No matter what level of natural skill and experience an artist has, they can not accomplish something of Kingdom value (God' s plan) without yielding your talent to the Holy Spirit.

God uses His people in order to accomplish His plan. He especially uses the gifts and talents that he has to placed in you to accomplish a plan through you.

A biblical example of this can be seen in Exodus 31:1-11. God's plan was to demonstrate that He is present and active with His people by living among them in the Tabernacle while they were in the wilderness. God wanted the Tabernacle to be designed, adorned and furnished in a specific way and was going to accomplish this through a creative team from among the Israelites that He selected. Although these artists had natural skill, ability, and know-how, they could not complete the task according to God's plan unless they used the understanding and wisdom that the Spirit of God empowered them with (Exodus 31:3-4).

Anointed is further defined:

* Being able to do what you normally can't do.
* When the super (the power of God) comes upon the natural (the talent).

An example of trying to accomplish a task with talent alone and no anointing is how the Israelites created the golden calf. The calf was created with artistic talent, skill, experience and ability to be used in a feast for the Lord (Exodus 32:5), but the anointing was not there. If these artists were making an effort to surrender themselves and their talent to the Spirit of God, I think they would have seen that this use of their talent did not please God, but rather was a sin against God.

So how does the talented artist flow in the anointing? The names of the two artists whom God used to head up the "Art Direction" of building the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant help to remind us: "Bezalel"- whose name means "in the shadow of El (God)". You can not be in the shadow of God unless you are in the presence of God. Keeping regular quiet time with God keeps us in tune with the plan of God.

"Aholiab"- whose name means "Father's Tent", a man under authority. Obedient. As the Spirit of God reveals His direction for the use of your talent, you will be challenged to walk out the plan and obey.

Feel free to download worksheet that recaps key points from our "Anointed versus Talent" workshop: http://www.geocities.com/tonysnipes/anointed .pdf

Tony Snipes is an Artist, ministry leader, Illustrator and founder of "The Kreative Kingdom", whose goal is to help artists seek God's purpose and plan for their creative talent.

Tony's newsletter/discussion group "Art Lessons From God!" discusses topics related to:

-The artistic gift God has given artists.
-Why God has given us our artistic talent?
-What does HE want us to do with it?

"Art Lessons From God" can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artlessonsfrom God/

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Rudraksha Beads - For Health, Wealth & Spirituality

The Tears of Lord Shiva that are Rudraksha, are the... Read More

Resurrection Faith (Part 3)

During His ministry, Jesus often made references to His impending... Read More

Witnesses, Mormons, Masons and More

The founding of the United States went along with the... Read More

Great Seats

And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit... Read More

God And World Religion: The Secret Identity Of ?God? Exposed, Finally...

You may now have this 10,000 year Old "SECRET" that... Read More

Consider, The Past, Present and Future?

Consider the past. A time when we were prosperous and... Read More

The Scrolls and the Grail

DEAD SEA SCROLLS: - Dr Norman Golb is a top... Read More

Under Siege!

This Article is the result of another hard night of... Read More

Christian Books and Supplies

Christian books and supplies can be found at places that... Read More

Heretical Chinese House Churches

One of the more insightful warnings Christians can receive bears... Read More

God is God

God is God and besides Him, there is no other.... Read More

What Did I Do To Deserve This?

"You must have done something awful for this to happen... Read More

Translator Robs Beauty of Words

Today we are looking at one of the most beautiful... Read More

The Basics of Salvation Through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

The one key central message of the entire Bible is... Read More

Tale of an Ark

The ark must have been much larger than the dimensions... Read More

Let Her Be Covered Part Four

Again, let's call attention to our text: "Let her be... Read More

Does God Promise Long Life?

Over the last 10 years or so I have met... Read More

Isnt There But One God?

I heard a pastor say, regarding people of the Muslim... Read More

The Emmaus Journal ~ What Kingdom Are You Looking For?

The Emmaus Journal What Kingdom Are You Looking For?The awe... Read More

Lets Restore the Word of Christ

"What? Trying to spread the gospel message without quoting from... Read More

The 7 Trumpet Judgments

This article will deal with the next set of judgments... Read More

The Dark Side of The Pope

If you look at just the man/women after he/she has... Read More

How to Solve a Wonderful Mystery

The first issue we must recognize is the way God... Read More

Killing Red Heads

"With regard to the ancient Egyptians we have it on... Read More

Following Instructions To The Letter

The dictionary explains wisdom as having good judgement, understanding, comprehension... Read More

War of the Worlds: Signs of the End of the Age

Jesus said there'd be days like this.The disciples came to... Read More

Heroes & Villains in the Quest for Spirituality: 100 Significant Characters of the Hebrew Bible

There are hundreds of named men and women in the... Read More

Cut Off Your Hand!

Cut off your Hand!Arguably the most bizarre command of Christ... Read More

Freedom of Religion

We were all taught in school that our forefathers left... Read More

Cloning: Is the Human Being Unique?

I am not discussing here whether cloning is evil. [I... Read More

Organized Religion is Great for Humanity; Rants from Lance

Organized Religion has served mankind well, by uniting civilization and... Read More

Are These People Putting You In Danger Of Eternal Hell Fire?

Most people put a lot of effort into being like... Read More

Catholic Hierarchy: The Nobiliary Element in the Catholic Church

It seems to me that some of the oldest still... Read More