“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
Introduction
It is God’s will for us to have a Spirit-filled life. Though it is His will, it is according to our choice too. We can either drink from the intoxicating and impure cup of the world (religion, philosophy and pleasure) or be satisfied by the Holy Spirit as He guides us in the word of God. “So also in ordinary Christians the Spirit dwells not in the mind that seeks the disturbing influences of excitement, but in the well-balanced prayerful mind. Such a one expresses his joy, not in drunken or worldly songs, but in Christian hymns of thankfulness” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary). Christianity is not easy; instead it is a lifelong battle as we struggle against satanic influences in the world. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives we will not be able to be overcomers. Only those who walk in the Holy Spirit are going to achieve what God has called them to.
Why we need to be filled
We must be continuously filled with the Spirit of God. We cannot suddenly be filled but must desire such a blessing, therefore we cannot be filled and not know it. While we have the freewill to be or not to be filled, we must understand that obedience to the command brings the blessing, but rebellion renders us unusable for the Lord’s work. We tend to look upon the Filling of the Spirit as a privilege for a few special followers of Christ, but that is to make the blessing an abnormal rather than the normal standard of New Testament Christianity.
We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day; otherwise we cannot serve and honour Christ as we ought. This means that we are obligated to God on this and every other area of our lives. How can we truly be obedient children if we neglect this point? Without the Holy Spirit in our lives we cannot:
a) Acceptably worship God. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20) … “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
b) Appropriate spiritual weapons (read Ephesians 6:10-17). The enemy of our souls is warring against us in our home, work, church, and faith. We need to be well equipped to face and overcome him, but we cannot unless we are filled with the Spirit. We live in evil days in which it is easy to become disheartened and lose courage. The Holy Spirit is given to strengthen those who stand for the truth.
How we can be filled
There are three basic requirements for being filled with the Holy Spirit.
a) Firstly, we must be saved. God does not fill those who have not come to Christ for salvation.
b) Secondly, we must be committed to the Lord. This means that our whole life has to be yielded to Him. It follows then that we must be totally dependent upon Him and guided by Him in our daily lives. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).
c) Thirdly, we must ask. “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13). Those who are saved and committed to Christ will see this prayer answered.
What are the results?
There has to be evidence that we have been filled with the Spirit. We are not filled just because we claim to be, it has to be seen in our lives. Here are a few areas where change will be noticed:
a) Our relationship with God will be strengthened. This means that we will want to spend more time in prayer and study of His word. We will serve Him out of love rather than duty.
b) Our relationship with others will be strengthened. Holding on to bitterness and resentment will disappear from our hearts. Instead of revenge there will be forgiveness and mercy.
c) The way we think will change. Thanksgiving will take the place of moaning, grumbling and complaining. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
d) The fruit of the Holy Spirit will be clearly seen in our lives. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25).
Conclusion
We should not rest until we can assure our hearts that we are truly and actually filled with the Holy Spirit. If our Christian life is one of lifeless religion, then we certainly do need this fresh touch of God. In fact, it is not an once-in-a-lifetime blessing, but one for which we should return to the Lord each day of our lives.
© 15/2/2008