The Old Lie of "Touch Not Mine Anointed"


Quoting favourite passages out of context is the forte of false teachers. By so doing, they are free to make the passage say anything they want it to say. The phrase “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm” is a popular one - and it is nearly always used out of context by false teachers and prophets to shield and protect their lying ways. Let’s see the context in which the statement exists:

1Ch 16:12   Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;  

Psa 105:12   When they were [but] a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.  


 Psa 105:13   When they went from one nation to another, from [one] kingdom to another people;  


 Psa 105:14   He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;  


 Psa 105:15   [Saying], Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.  


 Psa 105:16   Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.  


 Psa 105:17   He sent a man before them, [even] Joseph, [who] was sold for a servant:  
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What does verse 15 that says “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm” really mean? Does this verse mean that we are not to question our spiritual leaders on matters of doctrine and practice? Or does it mean something entirely different and is being misused in order to silence critics?

Point One:
Take note that the entire passage is not a reference to just the kings and priests of Israel as anointed ones and prophets, but to the entire nation. This much is clear from reading the whole chapter. For example, verse 6 also says, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! That is everyone in the camp.

As such, when people say touch not God's anointed in reference to church leaders, they have got it all wrong, even within the context of this passage.

Point Two:
Under the New Testament, the entire Body of Christ - not just leaders - are anointed. As such, to apply touch not God's anointed would mean that every believer should not be harmed.

Point Three:
The word for “touch” in Hebrew is naga. It means to strike, beat or bring down violently. It does not mean to criticize doctrine or to publicly examine another's teachings and practices.

The word for anointed is mashiyach [pronounced maw-shee'-akh], which means a consecrated person, such as a king, priest (under the Old Testament) or all believers (under the New Testament).

As such, today touch not my anointed would mean not to physically harm any believer. David stated that he would not kill Saul, but he definitely rebuked him (1 Samuel 24:9-15).

“Touch not mine anointed” does not mean do not examine the teachings and practices of preachers. It does not mean do not expose falsehood.

The Crux of the Matter:
Twisting Scripture to suit their needs is how the heretics get the sheeple to fork over their hard earned money, so it should come as no surprise that they would come up with a verse to manipulate the sheeple into believing that they are not to question their teachings. This is the case here.

We are all called to be like the Bereans and to search and test the teachings of others. Paul commended the Bereans and consistently exhorted the readers of his epistles to do the same.

David rebuked king Saul.

Nathan rebuked David.

Paul rebuked Peter, a senior minister to him.

There are countless other Bible instances of rebuking others to bring about repentance as well as to help those being taken advantage of. Correction and rebuke are an integral part of the Church. It is biblical and necessary with the mess that is going on within the Body of Christ today.

Anyone who tells you not to question a spiritual leaders teaching is someone you should avoid. Any spiritual leader who refuses to answer your questions about their doctrine is not the person you should be learning from or associating with. These are false teachers and will take all of your money and lead you straight to hell.