And what does “full
of the Holy Spirit” mean, anyway? What does "the filling" look like?
I’d like to tackle those two questions in this post and the
next one. And to do so, I’ll rely upon the most definitive passage on this
subject in the Scriptures, Ephesians 5:18-21.
18 And do
not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 addressing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to
the Lord with your heart, 20 giving
thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, 21 submitting
to one another out of reverence for Christ.
So first, what is the filling of the Holy Spirit?
Here are four key words that summarize my understanding of
the Holy Spirit's filling: 1. Contrast. And do
not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but…Paul points out a striking
difference between two experiences: alcoholic drunkenness versus Holy Spirit
filling. Instead of of abandoning ourselves to a drug, we are to yield ourselves
to the Spirit. Instead of being an embarrassment (debauchery) to the name of
Christ, we are to be under the sway of His Spirit.
2. Control. Essentially
Paul is talking about who or what is the dominant influence in the life of believers in Jesus. When we
repent of our sins and believe in Christ, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in
our lives (see Romans 8:9). He is the one who supplies the power to live our faith in Jesus. Spirit-filled
Christians are people who submit to the Holy Spirit.
3. Command. Be filled with the Spirit. Scripture
lists the fullness of the Spirit not as a suggestion or a good idea to investigate, but as God’s
directive for all His children.
4. Continuous.
Literally, God’s command is “be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.” Some
people speak of the Holy Spirit’s filling as an event that happened to them,
but God’s word describes it as an ongoing flow of life. More like water flowing
through a pipe than water being
poured into a container.
The filling of the Holy Spirit is God’s desire (His command)
for all believers in Christ. Obeying His command that we be filled is not
complicated. Simply pray, confess any known sin, and yielding by faith to the ministry
of the Holy Spirit.
And for next time, let’s talk about the evidence of the filling of the Holy Spirit.
