The phrase “do not touch my anointed ones” is found in several places in the Bible, usually in reference to prophets or kings who were set apart by God for special service. It conveys the idea that God protects and defends those he has chosen to carry out his work. However, there are differing views on what this means for us today and how we should apply this principle.
Old Testament Background
In the Old Testament, “the anointed” referred specifically to the kings and prophets of Israel who were literally anointed with oil as a sign of being set apart by God. For example, 1 Samuel 24:6 records David sparing Saul’s life, saying “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him.” This makes it clear that Saul’s role as king made him untouchable in David’s eyes.
Likewise, David himself was considered the Lord’s anointed as the king of Israel. When the Amalekite claimed to have killed Saul, David responded, “How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” (2 Samuel 1:14). The Amalekite was put to death for raising his hand against the one who was anointed by God.
The severe judgment brought on those who harmed God’s anointed servants demonstrated how seriously He took offenses against those He had set apart for leadership. This was true not only for the kings of Israel but also for the prophets. God said, “Do not touch my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm” (1 Chronicles 16:22). The principle was that no one should physically harm leaders chosen and equipped by God.
New Testament Application
When we come to the New Testament, the phrase “do not touch my anointed” is not used explicitly. However, some believe principles from these Old Testament texts can apply to church leaders today. In the same way God protected kings and prophets in the Old Testament, some argue He still protects those serving Him in spiritual leadership roles in the church.
For example, Psalm 105:15 is referenced in application to modern clergy: “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” The underlying idea is that just as God defended and guarded His appointed leaders in the Old Testament, He still jealously guards those He has anointed with a spiritual position of authority.
Others would cite 1 Thessalonians 5:12 in support of the idea that church leaders should be highly respected: “Respect those…who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.” The implication is that God is displeased when His spokespeople are ill-treated today.
Cautions About Application
While principles of respecting and protecting spiritual leaders can be drawn from “do not touch my anointed,” there are cautions about direct application of the phrase. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
- The phrase applied specifically to Hebrew prophets and kings, not New Testament church leaders.
- The “anointed” were not necessarily perfect themselves and were sometimes corrected or reprimanded for their own failures.
- “Not touching” in its historical context referred to physical harm, not questioning or criticism.
- Church leaders are still human, and there may be times when they need accountability.
- This phrase can sometimes be abused as an authority play when leaders claim special “anointing” and rejection of criticism.
With these caveats, many would say the principles of the phrase should be applied to church leaders carefully. We should aim to respect and support them but this does not give blanket immunity from criticism or consequences for wrong actions. As always, our highest loyalty is to Christ.
Practical Application
When it comes to modern practice, most Christians would draw application along these lines:
- Pray for and bless your church leaders rather than curse them (Luke 6:28, 1 Timothy 2:1-3).
- Listen carefully and receive biblical instruction from those teaching correctly (Hebrews 13:7).
- Make sure any criticism is done righteously and for the purpose of godly correction (Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1).
- Be cautious in attacking leaders’ motives, character or anointing (Romans 14:4, 10).
- If leaders persist in serious sin, follow biblical steps like rebuke by witnesses rather than personal vengeance (1 Timothy 5:19-20).
- Only separate from leaders who are teaching significant doctrinal error, not minor issues (Romans 16:17).
In summary, the phrase “do not touch my anointed” does not prohibit any accountability for church leaders today. But it does caution us to make sure any criticism is biblical, not antagonistic, and with right motivations.
Verses on Respecting Church Leaders
Here is a selection of Bible verses on respecting and honoring those in spiritual leadership roles:
Hebrews 13:17 – Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 – We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.
1 Timothy 5:17 – Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
Acts 20:28 – Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
1 Peter 5:2-3 – Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
We see a common theme of respecting church leaders while they faithfully lead and teach, though they are still to be held accountable in love. The authority rests in their servant leadership, not personal status.
Warnings Against Mistreating God’s Servants
There are Bible verses warning against mistreating God’s servants which may relate to modern misuse of “do not touch my anointed.”
Luke 17:1-2 – Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.
Jude 1:8 – Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
1 Chronicles 16:22 – saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”
These verses warn against misleading God’s people or rebelling against God’s ordained leaders. Even when leaders are imperfect, we should be cautious in how we respond to and criticize them.
Examples of God’s Protection
We also see God supernaturally protecting his key servants at times in the Bible:
Numbers 16:41-50 – The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the LORD’s people,” they said… But Moses and Aaron had fallen facedown on the ground. Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has started.” So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.
2 Kings 1:9-15 – Then King Ahaziah sent a captain with his company of fifty men to Elijah. The captain went up to him as he was sitting on the top of a hill and said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” But Elijah answered the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. So the king sent to him another captain of fifty men. And he went up and said to him, “O man of God, this is the king’s order: Come down quickly!” But Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
We see evidence of God protecting and validating his key servants. However, this did not make them untouchable in the sense of being above criticism when needed.
Examples of God’s Servants Being Opposed or Corrected
There are also examples in the Bible when God’s chosen leaders were questioned, criticized, or corrected:
Numbers 12:1-16 – Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife…and they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. And the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.
Acts 11:1-18 – The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened…When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
These examples show leaders like Moses and Peter being questioned or confronted when issues arose, even though they were greatly used by God.
Principles for Interacting With Spiritual Leaders
Based on all these biblical passages, here are some key principles for interacting with spiritual leaders today:
- Respect and honor is owed to pastoral leaders who are faithfully serving and teaching God’s Word (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
- However, leaders are still human, not perfect, and at times should receive loving confrontation (Galatians 2:11).
- Be cautious in ascribing wrong motives without clear evidence (1 Corinthians 4:5).
- Any criticism should beDone according to biblical protocols (1 Timothy 5:19-21).
- Focused on issues of moral or doctrinal significance, not personal preference.
- With an aim of godly correction, not tearing down (Galatians 6:1).
- May require separation only if there is serious persisting sin or false teaching (Romans 16:17).
- With lots of grace, patience, and humility (Ephesians 4:2).
The phrase “do not touch my anointed ones” does not prohibit questioning leaders appropriately about important issues. But it does warn us to make sure it is done biblically and with the right heart motivations.
Conclusion
In summary, the phrase “do not touch my anointed” originated as a warning in the Old Testament not to physically harm prophets or kings set apart by God for leadership. While some try to directly apply this phrase today, most Bible scholars say we should look for principles such as respecting and supporting church leaders, while still providing accountability when significant issues require action.
With the guidance of other Scriptures, Christians must seek God for wisdom in each situation to handle church leadership issues biblically. Our aim should be lifting others up, not tearing down. Through submission to Christ, humility, and seeking unity, we can appropriately honor church leaders while still addressing issues when needed.