Being filled with the Holy Spirit
1) What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
The Word of God tells all Christians: ‘Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit.’ Ephesians 5:18. This verse means
we should be filled with the Holy Spirit so that He will control our thoughts, emotions
actions and speech, and not the wine.
Ephesians 5:18 …………………………………………………………………………
2) What is the difference between getting baptized with the Holy Spirit
and being filled with Him?
Baptism with the Spirit is a one-time experience which causes the power of the Spirit
to flow within us. This helps us to be proper witnesses for Jesus, a living example of
a Christian Acts 1:8. On the other hand, being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a
one-time experience. We must be filled with Him moment by moment and allow
Him to control our lives, particularly our actions and words.
Galatians 5:25 ……………………………………………………………………….
3) What is the impact of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
The Holy Spirit entered our lives the moment we believed in Jesus Christ, but the
desires of our flesh did not leave at that moment or even after that. In fact what
dwells within us is the desires from our nature that want to control us and the Holy
Spirit who likes to control us. Thus, we have a battle inside of us.
Galatians 5:17 …………………………………………………………………………
We can choose whether we want the Holy Spirit to control our lives, or our nature and
flesh. There is no third opinion. The following is the result of the flesh ruling our
lives:
Galatians 5:19-21 ………………………………………………………………………
However, the following is ours if we are filled with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to
take control of our lives:
Galatians 5:22 ………………………………………………………………………….
Therefore, we cannot live a proper Christian life by human efforts. We must pray
and be filled with the Holy Spirit so that He will enable us to glorify Jesus Christ in
our lives.
4) How do I get filled with the Holy Spirit?
We can take the following steps any moment we want the Holy spirit to fill us:
- Repent from our sins.
- Submit our body and soul to the Holy Spirit in prayer and earnestly ask
Him to take control of our thoughts, words and actions.
- By faith receive the filling and let the Holy Spirit control and lead us.
Notice that these three steps can be taken at any moment. For example even when
you are talking to someone, you can quickly take the above 3 steps in your heart and
be filled with the Holy Spirit.
5) What is the fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22
1) Love 4) Patience 7) Faithfulness
2) Joy 5) Kindness 8) Gentleness
3) Peace 6) Goodness 9) Self-control
Question: Have you experienced each and every one of these fruits?
The importance of love: Love embraces and includes all of the fruits.
Love is not a feeling, it is an action. (John 3:16)
Love is explained in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 …………………………………………………
6) What is the fruit of our flesh? Galatians 5:19-20
………………………………………………
How can we overcome the flesh? To be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-17 ………………………………………………
7) How do I know I am filled with the Holy Spirit?
Whenever the fruits of the flesh are revealed in us we should know that we are not
filled with the Holy Spirit and we should immediately pray and be filled with the
Spirit. When we see that the fruit of the Spirit is not revealed in us we should
realize that we are not filled so we need to pray and be filled with the Holy Spirit. For
example, if we can’t show love, don’t have peace, get angry or cannot resist sin, we
should pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that the fruits of the Spirit would be
revealed in us.
Personal Application:
Today and in the days to come, pray regularly to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Do this many times a day and practice to be filled with the Spirit the entire day. Walk with Him and live with Him. Pray to be filled any moment you feel empty.
If you are not baptized with the Holy Spirit, persistently pray with sincerity to receive it. Do not give up until you are baptized. Pray with your teacher to receive this amazing blessing. Thirst for it and know that you cannot have a fruitful Christian life without it.