Newspaper article 5.19.19
“Being Filled by the Holy Spirit”: Ephesians 5:18
Dr. Gary M. Barker
Spiritual growth and maturity will happen in a believer’s life when two things are done: 1) God manifests His omnipotent, supernatural power thru a believer; 2) A Believer makes a decision to obey God’s Word and do God’s will (Romans 12:1-2, John 4:34). God indwells every believer and His indwelling presence in a believer’s body will enable a believer to both will and do what pleases God (Philippians 2:13, 4:13). We can do all God desires of us thru His power. I have said many times before that the Christian life is a supernatural life that results in spiritual maturity and service for God. God supplies His supernatural power thru the “Filling of the Holy Spirit.”
The apostle Paul clearly teaches in Ephesians 5:18 that a believer is commanded to be filled by the Holy Spirit. In the original Greek language that was translated into English, the words “be filled” is an imperative or a command. A believer has the responsibility to be continuously filled by the Spirit. The Spirit will do the filling when a believer willingly yields himself to obey God. The word filling has the idea of being controlled by the Spirit. Yieldedness results in the Spirit being able to manifest His power thru the believer by controlling the believer’s intellect, emotions, and will. A controlled believer will be illumined, led, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples that when the Holy Spirit came to be with them that He would empower them supernaturally (Acts 1:8). It is impossible to grow spiritually apart from being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit. When we walk and behave in the Spirit’s power, we will overcome sinful desires and temptation (Galatians 5:16).
One of the most important truths about growing spiritually is that a believer must personally yield his will to be dedicated to God before growth can occur. Being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit results when a believer freely of his own will chooses to be controlled. God will never force a believer to be dedicated and submissive. If a believer chooses to live in sin and disobedience, he will never spiritually mature. The command to be filled by the Spirit can ONLY occur when a believer FIRST submits and dedicates his will to obey GOD. Dedication is a prerequisite for Spiritual Growth. Submission and dedication will result in being blessed by the change that will be experienced by the Spirit’s filling.
Next week, I will discuss the conditions for being Filled by the Spirit.