This post is part of the Twisted Scriptures series, where we look at familiar Bible verses in their original context and consider what they truly mean. Series started May 3, 2026.
“Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.”
Those words from Psalm 105:15 are sometimes used to suggest that pastors, prophets, or other spiritual leaders should never be questioned, corrected, or held accountable. When concerns are raised about a leader’s conduct or teaching, someone may respond, “Touch not God’s anointed.”
That sounds biblical because the words come directly from Scripture. The problem is not the verse. The problem is using it for something the passage was not addressing.
Psalm 105 looks back on God’s faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and the people of Israel. It describes a time when God’s people were few, vulnerable, and traveling among powerful nations. God protected them and warned kings not to harm those He had chosen for His covenant purpose.
The Hebrew word translated “anointed” is mashiach, pronounced mah-SHEE-akh, and written מָשִׁיחַ. It means anointed one, or someone set apart for a particular purpose. The word can refer to kings, priests, or others whom God appointed, and it is also the word from which we get “Messiah.”
In Psalm 105, the phrase “My anointed ones” was not being used as a special shield for religious leaders who wanted to avoid questions. It was describing God’s protection over the patriarchs and His covenant people while they were strangers in foreign lands.
A similar phrase appears in the life of David. David refused to kill King Saul because Saul was the Lord’s anointed. David would not take Saul’s life or seize the throne through violence, even though Saul had treated him unjustly.
However, David’s respect for Saul’s position did not mean he pretended Saul was doing right. David spoke honestly about what Saul had done. He defended his innocence and confronted the situation without attacking Saul or taking revenge.
That distinction matters.
We should not mistreat, slander, or attack spiritual leaders. Scripture teaches believers to honor faithful leaders, pray for them, and recognize the weight of their responsibility. Pastors are human beings carrying real burdens, and careless accusations can damage a leader, a church, and the people connected to both.
Scripture also treats false accusations against spiritual leaders seriously. First Timothy 5:19 says that an accusation against an elder should not be accepted without two or three witnesses. That is not protection from accountability. It is protection from rumor, slander, and careless claims. The greater the responsibility of leadership, the more carefully both the leader and the accusation must be handled.
But honor does not mean silence when something is wrong.
No pastor, teacher, prophet, or ministry leader is above Scripture. A title does not remove accountability, and an anointing does not make someone incapable of error. In fact, greater influence brings greater responsibility.
The Bereans were called noble because they examined the Scriptures daily to see whether Paul’s teaching was true. Paul did not accuse them of touching God’s anointed. Their willingness to test his words by Scripture was treated as wisdom.
There is a difference between attacking a leader and examining what a leader says or does. Gossip, personal insults, false accusations, and attempts to destroy someone are wrong. Honest questions, biblical discernment, and proper accountability are not.
A healthy spiritual leader should not demand unquestioning loyalty. A faithful leader points people toward Christ, welcomes biblical examination, and understands that authority in the church is stewardship, not ownership.
The words “Touch not My anointed” should never be twisted into a threat used to silence people. They remind us that God protects those He appoints and that we should never take revenge into our own hands. They do not give anyone permission to operate without correction.
We can honor leadership without worshiping leaders. We can reject slander while still expecting truth. We can respect a person’s calling while judging their fruit and testing their teaching by the Word of God.
Bible Promise
Psalm 105:15
“Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.”
God watches over those He has called, and He does not require us to take revenge into our own hands.
Reflection Questions
- Have you ever seen “Touch not My anointed” used to discourage honest questions or biblical accountability?
- Are you careful to avoid both blind loyalty and careless accusations when concerns arise about a spiritual leader?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the leaders You place in the church and for the people You call to serve Your purposes. Help me honor them without placing them above Your Word. Keep me from gossip, slander, revenge, and careless accusations. At the same time, give me courage and wisdom to recognize when teaching or conduct does not agree with Scripture. Help spiritual leaders walk in humility, welcome accountability, and remember that all authority belongs to Jesus. Teach me to speak truth with love and to handle every concern in a way that honors You.
I give You all honor, all the glory, and all of the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.