The Filling

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21

In this passage, God instructs us in how to be filled with the Spirit. He encourages us not to become drunk with wine, but to live in a state of full surrender to His Spirit. To be filled with the Spirit is a command to be obeyed. We must obey the Spirit, depend upon the Spirit, and continue walking in the Spirit.

To obey the Spirit is to abstain from sin and to walk in the ways of God’s Word under the control of the Holy Spirit. Through obedience, we must seek not to grieve the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30), or to quench the Holy Spirit (see 1 Thessalonians 5:19).

When we depend on the Holy Spirit, this gives Christ His rightful position as Lord of our lives. Dependence means surrendering to the Lord in everything: relying on His Spirit to lead me, to speak through me, to love through me, and to serve through me. For this to happen, I must yield to the Spirit and His control.

Continuing in the Spirit means to “keep on keeping on” being filled with the Spirit. The continuous Spirit-filled life takes place as we become empty vessels and the Holy Spirit is poured into us and through us.

Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” I choose to be filled with the Spirit, that Christ may have full control of my life.

Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit. I ask You to live through me, to love through me, and serve through me today. Amen.