THE FILLING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Ephesians 5:18-20
We’ve considered the work of the Holy Spirit before the salvation of an individual. We have looked briefly at the work of the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation. In this series of pen pulpits I want us to look at the work of the Holy Spirit in the believers life on a day-to-day basis. We begin with the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Some erroneous concepts of the filling with the Holy
Spirit.
1. A certain facet of Christianity interprets the filling with Holy Spirit as the baptism with the Holy Spirit. This is understood to be an external work of the Spirit whereby He totally envelopes and overcomes the believer. A popular term for this supposed work of the Spirit is “Slain in the Spirit.”
2. The filling with the Spirit inevitably produces the experience of speaking in tongues and receiving new revelation from God.
3. To be filled with the Holy Spirit means that the believer can receive more of the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation.
The Meaning of the filling with the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:4; 4:31; Ephesians 5:18
Contrary to the above teachings, every believer possesses all of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in all believers and in every part of every believer (John 14:16-17, Romans 5:5). The Greek word for “filled” in the following verses is used in a sense which gives certain qualification to its meaning: John 16:6, Luke 4:28; 5:26; 6;11; Acts 3:10. 5:3; 5:17; 13:45; 13:52.
The prevailing concept of control – In virtually every one of these passages the central idea of control is present. The controlling influence in each case extends to the total being including the emotions, the mind, the will and the heart. The result is that THE ACTIONS REFLECT THE INNER CONTROL Therefore, the filling with the Holy Spirit is not the believer getting more of the Holy Spirit, rather the Holy Spirit gaining a greater degree of control over the believer (James 4:5). Therefore, the Filling with the Holy Spirit is not a crisis event that takes place as a result of following some formula. The filling with the Holy Spirit is the normal Christian life. At any moment in the believer’s life you are either filled with the Holy Spirit or with self,
The Manner of the filling with the Holy Spirit (v.18)
>The verb “filled” is in the imperative mode - God commands the believer to be filled with the Holy Spirit because it is essential to living the Christian life.
>The verb is in the present tense - This means that the filing of the Spirit is not to be spasmodic. God has made provision for the believer to be filled with Spirit at all times. The filling with the Spirit is not just for special ministries that demands public functions – but for everyday living.
>The verb is in the plural number – This means that all believers are to be constantly controlled by the Spirit. The filling with the Holy Spirit is not just for preachers, teachers, and missionaries only but for laborers, housewives, all of us as well.
>The verb is in the passive voice – This tells us that the subject is being acted upon. The filling with the Holy Spirit is a work of God in behalf of the believer – not a work of the believer, in tarrying, agonizing praying, etc.
The Maintenance of the Filling with the Holy Spirit Your experience with the Holy Spirit is unique. It is personal. That fellowship must be maintained. The Holy Spirit is not a machine nor a computer. He is a divine Person living in your body. There are certain Biblical principles which outline the procedure for maintaining your fellowship with the Holy Spirit so that He may have His maximum control in your life for your service and joy.
1. Grieve not the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) – Grieving the Holy Spirit is to harbor some attitude or to be involved in some form of conduct that is dishonoring to God and contrary to the nature of the Spirit of God. All sin grieves the Holy Spirit. Note particularly the kinds of sins that grieves Him in the context of Ephesians 4:30.. The remedy is to forsake and confess that sin or those sins.
2. Quench not the Holy Spirit – I Thessalonians 5:19.. Quenching the Holy Spirit is to fail to heed the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is to put a damper on his work.
A. Grieving the Spirit would be the believer’s involvement in some consistent attitude that is contrary to the Spirit’s direction.
B. Quenching the Holy Spirit is the believer preventing the Holy Spirit from doing what He wants to do in my life
C. Walk by means of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16,25) – Walking by the Spirit is as simple as learning to live life everyday by the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit.
The secret of walking by the Spirit is cooperation. The believer’s life is not a life of quiet existence but a life of active cooperation with the Holy Spirit. The commands in the New Testament are issued to believers – not to the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:4.5,13,14). Walking by the Spirit involves study - lots of study. It involves involvement and application of the Word of God. THE WORD OF GOD IS THE LIVING AGENT THAT THE SPIRIT USES TO REGULATE MY LIFE. AMEN! God bless.
Love to you all,