Be Filled with the Spirit

BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT!  That is what Paul says to us.  Obviously, Paul thought that such filling was something that could be commanded.

 Ephesians 5:17,18,

“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit”

Consequently, Paul seems to suggest at least two things:

1. That we must be filled with the Spirit, and
2. That we must take an active part in such filling.

In other words, it is something that we must do or it would not be a command!

  However before we can take Paul’s command seriously, we must understand what it means to be filled with the Spirit.  To be filled with the Spirit has reference to at least three areas of our life:

1. Our witnessing for Christ, (or speaking the truth about God’s word)
2. Our understanding of God’s will.
3. Our ethical behavior in Christ.

Now let’s examine each of these in order:

1. WITNESSING FOR CHRIST.

At this point, we are on pretty solid ground because the vast majority of references to being filled with the Spirit result in people witnessing or accurately declaring God’s word.  We are told eight times in the Book of Acts of people who were filled with the Holy Spirit.

1. The apostles were filled with the Spirit in Acts 2:4, evident by their bold, clear proclamation of the wonders of God in the everyday language of the people as we see in Acts 2:11.
2. In Acts 4:8  Peter was filled with the Spirit, evidenced by his bold witnessing about Christ to the same rulers who had killed Jesus.
3. In Act 4:31 the group of disciples was filled with the Spirit, evidenced by the fact that they spoke the word of God boldly.
4. In Acts 6:3,5 the early church selected as deacons men who were full of the Holy Spirit like Philip and Stephen, both of whom boldly and clearly witnessed for Christ as we see in  Acts 6:8-7:70; 8:4-8.
5. In Acts 9:17 Paul was filled with the Spirit, evident by his evangelistic ministry as we see in Acts 9:15, 16, 29.
6. Barnabas was filled with the Spirit, evidenced by the great number of people he brought to the Lord: i.e., his bold witnessing for Christ in Acts 11:24.
7. Paul was said again to be filled with the Spirit, evident by the fact that he declared God’s word accurately concerning what God was going to do to Elymas in Acts 13:9.
8. The disciples were filled with the Spirit, evident in the context of their witnessing and suffering for Christ as we read in Acts 13:52 .  It is sufficient that all eight times people are said to be filled with the Spirit in Acts they are boldly declaring the truth of God’s word, and seven of the eight they are directly witnessing according to Acts 13:6-12.

As a quick recap, when a person is filled with the Spirit, it will be seen in his readiness to boldly witness for Christ.

2. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WILL.

To be filled with the Spirit also means that we must come to understand God’s will.

In Ephesians 5:17,18  Paul obviously links being filled with the Spirit in verse 18 with knowing God’s will in verse 17.

To understand God’s will and thus to be filled with the Spirit requires that we study the Bible.  God’s will for our lives is revealed in the Scriptures.  

• Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of Truth” in John 15:26 and that God’s word is “truth” John 17:17.
• Since then the Holy Spirit produced the Bible according to 2 Peter 1:19-21, the Bible is the primary tool that the Spirit uses to teach us god’s will.
• If we want to be filled with the Spirit, we will certainly study God’s word diligently so that we may understand His will!

3. CHRIST LIKE BEHAVIOR.

Paul commands us to be filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:18 and to make sure that we are not grieving the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 4:30.

We should note that both of these commands are found in the overall context of what the Ephesians are told to do or not to do in relation to living the Christian life as we see in Ephesians 4:17-6:20.

• Obviously, when we are doing what God wants in our everyday life, it is evidence that we are not grieving the Spirit.
• In the same way, Godly behavior is an indication that we are filled with the spirit. In other words, if we are filled with the Spirit it will show up not just in the fact that we understand God’s will, but in the fact that we are living out God’s will in our lives every day!

However, now that we know what it means to be filled with the Spirit, it raises the question that prompted this letter.  What can I do to be obedient to the command, “Be filled with the Spirit”?  As far as I know, the Bible never says, “Here are five easy steps to follow in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit!”  That means the answer to the above question must be given from broad biblical principles and from examples of believers found in the New Testament.

1. Let me suggest that fellowship with Christian people is a key to being filled with the Spirit.  Notice the times in Acts in which people are said to be filled with the Spirit, and then notice how many times they were with other Christians!
2. Praying with other Christians is also a key.  Notice that the disciples being filled with the Spirit came after they had prayed together.  Numbers one and two are very closely related in that they both require that we be with other people.  this should not surprise us.  Since the Holy Spirit lives within every individual Christian as we read 1 Corinthians 6:19 & Ephesians 2:22, He will use other Christians as a base of operation from which to bless our lives and strengthen us.
3. Develop a regular habit of daily Bible reading, even if it is only ten or twelve verses a day.  The spirit will use the Scriptures to reveal God’s will to you.
4. Don’t be afraid to depend upon other Christians.  If you would like help in learning how to witness or in learning how to understand God’s will, then ask another Christian in whom you have confidence for help.  If you are facing problems in some ethical or behavioral area, talk to an elder or your preacher.  These men have been given to  you by God according to Ephesians 4:11-13 in order to help you combat and overcome the sin and weaknesses you may be battling.
5. Always remember that the major purpose of the Holy Spirit is to make us more like Christ as we see in 2 Corinthians 3:17,18 .  This will always help us remember that the main reason that God fills us with the Spirit is not so that we can be served but so that we will serve, and we will offer our lives selflessly for all men on behalf of the kingdom of God.  We see the example of Jesus in Matthew 20:28.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW AND STUDY:

1. What are we commanded to do in Ephesians 5:18?

2. According to Acts, what is the major evidence of being filled with the Spirit? Cite two scriptural examples from Acts to support your answer.

3. Being filled with the Spirit as we see in Ephesians 5:18 is related to what in Ephesians 5:17?

4. Where has the Holy Spirit recorded God’s will for our lives according to John 17:17 & 2 Peter 1:19-21?

5. What does Ephesians 4:30 command us not to do?

6. List three things that might be a key in helping you to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

7. What is the major purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives?