The Anointing And The Presence Of God

The presence of God is not a casual experience—it is sacred. It is what distinguishes the people of God from the rest of the world. Without His presence, we are powerless to live out our divine identity or to fulfill our calling. When Moses cried out, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here,” he was declaring that God’s presence is the true mark of belonging (Exodus 33:15). In the same way, the believer today must never take lightly the privilege of carrying the Holy Spirit.

To be anointed means to be consecrated—set apart by God and empowered by His Spirit for a divine purpose. In the Old Testament, oil was poured on kings, priests, and prophets as a sign of this consecration. In the New Covenant, that anointing flows through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. The anointing is not a feeling or performance; it is divine enablement. It equips us to do what we could never accomplish in our own strength.

The world has confused charisma for anointing. Many have learned how to “sound” anointed or “act” spiritual, but true anointing is not learned behavior. It is not found in emotional display but in spiritual authenticity. The anointing breaks yokes (Isaiah 10:27), and that power cannot be imitated. It is birthed through intimacy with God, not imitation of others.

The anointing is necessary because it empowers us to do what human effort cannot. Jesus Himself said, “He has anointed Me to proclaim good news.” The anointing enables us to heal, to deliver, to restore, and to speak life. Without it, our service becomes routine, our ministry becomes mechanical, and our worship becomes hollow. The anointing transforms ordinary moments into supernatural encounters.

John reminds us that the anointing “abides in you permanently” (1 John 2:27 AMP). This means the Spirit of God does not visit occasionally; He dwells continually. Yet, like a gift left unopened, His presence must be activated through awareness and relationship. The Holy Spirit will not force Himself upon us. We must choose to engage Him daily, inviting Him into every area of our lives—our work, our home, our relationships, and our decisions.

Many believers limit the anointing to Sunday worship experiences, unaware that God’s power is meant to flow through every moment of the week. The Holy Spirit delights in fellowship, not formality. He can be as present in your kitchen as He is in the sanctuary, as involved in your business decisions as in your prayer meetings. To abide in Him means to always remain conscious of His nearness.

When we honor the Holy Spirit and remain yielded to His leading, the evidence of His presence becomes undeniable. Like a fragrance that fills the room, the anointing cannot be hidden. Others will recognize it not by our words, but by the peace, wisdom, and power that flow from our lives. The anointing marks us as carriers of His glory, not performers for His audience.

The anointing increases as we abide. The more we remain in fellowship with the Holy Spirit—through prayer, obedience, and worship—the more sensitive we become to His direction. The anointing grows in an atmosphere of humility and dependence, not pride or pretense. It is sustained by staying rooted in Him, continually aware that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways have you taken God’s presence for granted?
2. How can you create daily moments to invite the Holy Spirit into your ordinary routines?
3. What areas of your life have relied more on human effort than on divine anointing?
4. How can you cultivate greater awareness of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence?

Action Step

Set aside intentional time today to acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence with you. Speak to Him personally—thank Him for dwelling in you, invite Him into your work, and ask Him to teach you how to walk in His anointing daily. Let this become your lifestyle, not just a moment of worship.