Guestbook / Feedback         View Guestbook

View Additional "Plain Talk"  TOPICS:

Home Page

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”     Ephesians 5: 18

What does the command to be filled with the Spirit indicate?

The command indicates that man has a degree of responsibility in being filled with the Spirit.  This is in contrast with the baptism in the Spirit, receiving the gift of the Spirit; man has no part in administering this baptism.  Ephesians 5: 18

Who was said to be filled with the Spirit?

John the Baptist, Elizabeth, Zacharias, Simeon, Peter, apostles, Paul, disciples at Antioch were filled with the Spirit.  Luke 1: 15, 47, 61; 2: 25-34; Acts 2: 4; 4: 8; 9: 17; 13:52  Jesus was said to be full of the Spirit as was Stephen.  Luke 4: 1, Acts 7: 55

What does filled with the Spirit mean?

To be filled with the Spirit is to surrender your will to the leading of the Spirit.  This evidently is an on-going process because the disciples at Antioch were “continually filled” with joy and the Holy Spirit.   Acts 13: 52

Does the filling indicate an ability to perform miracles?

No. John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit yet did no miracles.   Being filled with the Spirit is not about doing miracles or even speaking in tongues.   John 10: 41

Is it a one-time event?

No, the apostles were filled several times; the filling appears to be a continuing event.

 Acts 2: 4; 4: 8, 31

Is it synonymous with the baptism of the Spirit?

The apostles were baptized with the Spirit and also filled with the Spirit but the two are not synonymous.  John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit but not baptized with the Spirit.  The baptism of the Spirit occurs when God pours His Spirit out upon man so richly and abundantly that we are figuratively immersed in the Spirit.  The “filling” refers to yielding ourselves to the Spirit.

Note:  Some are inclined to think that the figurative is not real.  But this is not true.  The Scriptures tell us of at least two realms, the physical and the spiritual.  The spiritual realm is of God; the physical will pass away.

Is filled with the Spirit emotionalism?

In Corinth a situation developed which created confusion and disorder in the church.  Gifted people were speaking at the same time and some were speaking in tongues without interpretation.  Paul told them to be silent if another is speaking or if while speaking in togues there is no interpreter  for the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet.

1 Corinthians 12: 26-34

One might get the idea that the two are synonymous from observing some TV evangelist.  This is indeed unfortunate and misleading.

What characteristics or actions are associated with it?

Sometimes the filling seems to be associated with a one-time prophetic utterance and of course with others it is associated with a life long experience.

Can you be filled with an evil spirit?

Yes, Satan filled the heart of Ananias to lie to the Holy Spirit.  Acts 5: 3

With what emotions can you be filled?

The Scriptures speak of being filled with awe, rage, fear, sorrow, wonder and amazement, jealousy, joy and confusion.  The point being that filled with the Spirit is not some mystical experience for the chosen few.  Matthew 9: 5; Luke 4: 28; 5: 26; 6: 11; 16: 6; Acts 3: 10; 5: 11; 13: 45; 19: 28; 19: 29; 2 Timothy 1: 4

With what other qualities can you be filled?

·         Jesus was filled with grace and truth.   John 1: 17

·         The Romans were filled with knowledge and goodness.   Romans 15: 14

·         Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be filled with all the fullness of God.   Ephesians 3: 19

·         The Philippians had been filled with the fruit of righteousness.    Philippians 1: 11

·         Paul prayed that the Colossians might be filled with the knowledge of His will. Colossians 1: 9

How can you be filled with the Holy Spirit?

I don’t have a “thus sayeth the Lord” nor do I claim special knowledge but I would suggest:

• You must have a desire to be filled with the Spirit.  God is not likely to fill us with the Spirit if we don’t actively seek it.  Seek and you shall find!
• Spend time each day in the word.  Be a truth seeker and not a tradition keeper.  The Spirit communicates the will of God to us through the word.
• Begin each day by thanking God for that day and asking Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit.  Ask God for boldness, for kindness and for opportunities.  Be prepared.
• Each day be prepared to render spiritual and physical service to those we come in contact.
• Pray to God.  Pray for those you love and those that don’t love you.
• Rejoice in the Lord always.  Those in Christ have so much for which to be thankful.
• Think on those things, which are lovely, good and true.
• Think on Jesus and His character.  He is our example.

What does Paul associate with being filled by the Spirit in Ephesians 5: 18 and following?

The context would indicate that the following are characteristics of being filled with the Spirit.

• Speaking to one another in song
• Making melody in your heart to the Lord.
• Always giving thanks to God.
• Be submissive one to another
• Wives should be submissive to their husbands as to the Lord
• Husbands should love their wives just as Christ love the church
• Children should obey their parents
• Slaves should be obedient
• Masters should give up threatening
• Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might
• Pray at all times with all power and petition

How can we know if we are filled with the Spirit?

Some would say that speaking in tongues is the sign of the filling.  But this is not true because even in the first century all who were in Christ did not speak in tongues.   The correct answer, I believe, is that the Spirit will produce fruit in our lives.  If this fruit is present we can be sure that the Spirit dwells in us.   Galatians 5: 22, 23

If you could choose only one word that characterizes being filled with the Spirit, what would it be?

Submission.  In the secular world submission is a one-way street, but it should not be so in our thinking.  We submit one to another.  Nor should we think that submission is only for women and children.  “Deny yourself”; “take up your cross and follow me,” is the admonition our Lord gives us all/

Sometimes when I write articles such as this, I feel very hypocritical.  This writer is not a paragon of virtue, but is struggling just like everyone else.

May God bless you and keep you and shine His light upon you and fill you with the Holy Spirit.