Psalm 105:15 says: “Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm.” We observe that David was respectful of the anointing in that he would not kill King Saul even when he had opportunity to do so.
We also should respect those who have a special anointing upon their lives for the holy anointing oil’s sake. I am speaking of those who are sovereignly chosen by God to be part of the five-fold ministry.
1 Corinthians 12:28: “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”
Ephesians 4:11, 12: “And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and some, pastors, and teachers: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
I believe that we who believe in freedom of speech need to be very careful how we speak against any who have been anointed by the Holy Spirit to fulfil any one of these ministerial gifts, even if they have wandered off the tracks. Read Jude 1:8-16).
Even when Jesus was falsely struck by the officer of the High Priest for allegedly speaking disrespectfully of the High Priest during his trial, Jesus answered him: “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?” (John 18:19-23).
We must also remember that we are all priests and kings before God. Therefore, we must not speak evil of our fellow priests/kings for this doesn’t go down well with God.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell