Newspaper Article 5.25.19
“Conditions for Being Filled by the Holy Spirit”
Dr. Gary M. Barker
In my last meditation, I discussed the Filling of the Holy Spirit which is commanded in Ephesians 5:18. To be filled by the Spirit results in supernaturally being controlled by the Spirit in our thinking, our will, and our emotions. This is necessary in order to grow and mature spiritually. The Holy Spirit will enable a believer to understand the scriptures and then empower him to put into action what is learned. Maturity occurs when learning is put into action and becomes habitual. A believer will only be controlled by the Holy Spirit when he chooses to be obedient to three other commands. The Holy Spirit will only fill a believer who desires to be filled. A willful choice needs to be made to allow the Holy Spirit to control a believer by obeying three conditions.
The first condition is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:19: “Do not Quench the Spirit.” This is a negative command. A Believer is to stop quenching the Holy Spirit. The word “quench” means to render ineffective or inoperative. This occurs when a believer is unwilling to yield to the control of the Holy Spirit. Having an un-submissive attitude that is unwilling to obey God’s Word will quench the Spirit. The only person the Holy Spirit will control is one who willingly desires to obey God.
The second condition is found in Ephesians 4:30: “Do not Grieve the Holy Spirit of God”. The context reveals that committing sin grieves the Spirit. The Holy Spirit cannot work thru a believer who willfully desires and chooses to live in sin. The Holy Spirit can only empower and work thru a believer who resists and overcomes sin.
The third condition is found in Galatians 5:16: “Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Walking refers to the behavior of a person. A believer is to allow the Holy Spirit to control his behavior by depending on the Spirit to enable him to be obedient. When a believer depends on the Spirit to behave righteously, the Spirit will ALWAYS enable him to behave the right way.
These three conditions are all commands to be obeyed. When a believer has a submissive attitude of obedience, resists and overcomes sin, and depends upon the Spirit to control his behavior, He will be FILLED BY THE SPIRIT. The Holy Spirit will only control a believer who has determined and chosen to OBEY GOD. Obedience to God’s Word will produce maturity which will be a great blessing to experience.