The thing that makes all the difference between knowing about religion and knowing God is actually meeting with God. Any one can sit and learn theory and tradition, but what makes the difference is actually feeling and being touched by God. It's in that real personal connection between God and you that things go beyond theory, beyond learning and into the awesome reality that God is alive and there with you. It's feeling the amazing anointing of the Holy Spirit that shows us that we really do have an awesome and mighty God, a very present help in times of trouble.
Sometimes, however, people may find that while they want to enter in, things are holding them back. We can find that we have inhibitions stopping us from getting into what God has for us; It's such a sad thing when people are in the presence of God and yet can't actually enter in for themselves, they can see and observe others around them as they laugh, cry, leap, praise or whatever else God has them doing, and yet somehow feel they can't enter in for themselves. What a great tragedy to be in the very presence of our awesome God and not feel able to actually get connected with Him!
One of the biggest causes of not entering in when God is moving is the mind. It's people allowing thoughts and fears to get in between them and the Spirit of God. This is a trick the enemy loves to play on people because he knows full well the power of God, he knows full well the power that is in the Holy Spirit, and he'll do anything to try and stop a person entering into that. The last thing the enemy wants is a church full of people actually entering into God! Imagine the possibilities, imagine how powerful that would be.
There is no reason to worry about what will happen if you do enter in to the presence of God. God is awesome and wants only good things for His children. Looking in John 14:27 Jesus expressly tells us; “Peace I leave with you, My peace I now give and bequeath to you ... Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” There is nothing to fear, entering in is the most awesome thing. We are amazingly privileged to have the opportunity to enter into the presence of God. God wants only good for our lives, everything about God is goodness, love, mercy, and so entering into His presence is something entirely amazing. When in His presence you realise that nothing else matters, that He has everything under control. You feel that promised peace.
One thing people can find inhibiting is Not-for-me Syndrome. This one's a negative one, it starts with knowing that God is moving, with seeing people touched, and then the thought comes "I'm not good enough, it's not for me." The thing is, that thought is simply not true. Jesus hung on a cross for you, He made that sacrifice so that all who believe in Him could know God. He didn't do it so that we could have the same old testament system where only the High Priest's entered in, He saved us so that we all can. You can meet with God, you can enter in, because He has sacrificed for you to be able to do so. It's because of what He has done, not because of us.
Look at John 14:17 “The Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know and recognise Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” There is Jesus giving the promise of the Holy Spirit for our lives. We have the Holy Spirit, therefore we already have within us what is required to enter in.
Don't be negative about yourself and say that you can't, you're God's creation and as David says in Psalm 139:14 you are fearfully and wonderfully made - God created you to be someone He wants to know and He wants to meet! The Holy Spirit showed Peter before he went to Cornelius that what He has called clean, no one can call unclean. If God wants you to enter in, then hey, who are you to say otherwise?
Another problem that seems to stop some people from entering in is worrying about what other people will think. If this is a problem you need to consciously let go of it, because God is to good to miss out on. There is nothing embarrassing about getting into God, you're in church, everyone is there because they believe in God, so if anyone sees you entering into the Holy Spirit, they're not going to be thinking "Oh, how silly" or "how un-churchlike" they're going to be thinking "I got to get me some of that Holy Ghost!" The people in church are your church family, you don't have to worry about what they may say, just relax and throw yourself into what's happening. Imagine if, going back to Acts 2 the apostles had decided Tongues of Fire weren't in that season, and they'd rather the chaps from the local synagogue didn't see them sporting them? The Holy Spirit is far too precious and far too amazing to miss out on because you're worried about what some other people might think. You need to make a clear decision that no matter what worries come to mind, you're going to ignore them and enter in.
Another issue that can stop people is thinking of things you may have done or that may not be right in our lives, reasons that you shouldn't enter in. Suddenly you realise God is there and you think "woah, I'm bad, I can't enter into the Holy Spirit now, He'll see my attitudes or He'll see my sins." (He's seen everything anyway!) I believe that if you feel convicted because God is in the place, then that's Him showing you to clear it up so that he can move in your life. Be glad that He is there and that you have such an opportunity to get into His presence. Get rid of whatever it is that is obstructing you there and then, and let God do what He wants. Decide in your heart that you're going to put it right, pray to God "I was wrong, forgive me, please, make me right." Then just pour out your heart to God, praise Him, worship Him, thank Him for His mercy and love that He comes to touch His people. Let Him move on you and let Him change you. If His Spirit in the place convicts you then there is no better time to correct yourself.
These are just a few ways that thoughts and inhibitions can stop people from entering into the anointing, from touching God and feeling the Holy Spirit. It's so important that we never allow the worries or doubts of the flesh to stop ourselves from meeting God, if God's in the place, then show Him you want it. Don't decide it's not for you, or worry what people will think but just cry out "God, touch me, touch me!" let go, express your love for Him and let Him know how much you want His touch. Learn to realise that God does want only good things for you, He wants you to know Him, He wants you to have His Holy Spirit. He's looking for you to make that response to let go of your inhibitions, take that step and say "touch me", to step out from the thoughts that may try to stop you and say "God, I want to enter in and I want to never be the same again".
By Peter Jobes