The Holy Spirit: The Filling Of The Spirit (Part 2)

We noted that when someone was filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit, they didn’t lose their freewill. Rather, the Spirit supernaturally moved them and enabled them to do exactly what He wanted because they were surrendered to do His will.

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The Filling of the Spirit (part 2)

In tonight’s Bible study we’re going to take a deeper look at our text in Ephesians. As I studied this passage, I came across an outline from a pastor friend and I couldn’t find a better way to present these thoughts in an orderly fashion. So, tonight’s outline is not my own, but I think you’ll find it very helpful:

Read Ephesians 5:18-21.

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The contrast of the example

In Ephesians chapter five, Paul is challenging these believers to live real Christianity. He teaches them about the difference in a believer’s lifestyle versus an unbeliever’s lifestyle.

He’s basically saying,

“Here’s how an unsaved person lives.

Here’s how a follower of Christ lives - live that way!”

As Paul challenges the Ephesians about their conduct, he turns to this subject of being filled with the Spirit and gives an illustration to help us understand what that means.

What is the illustration that Paul brings in verse 18? Being drunk with wine

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Be not drunk: present passive imperative

Where have you heard that before? Where have you heard of a present, passive, imperative? Same as be filled with the Spirit

Present tense: ongoing, continuous

Passive voice: happening to them/being done to them

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Be not drunk: stop being drunk with wine/stop putting yourself under the control of other influences

…but be filled [controlled by] the Spirit

Application: What are you under the influence of? What are you being controlled by? What influences are you allowing to control you that is shutting out the controlling of the Spirit of God?

What are some influences that can keep us from being controlled by the Spirit? What are some influences that can affect how we think?

Alcohol

Music - fill our minds with noise and our hearts with emotions

News - fill our minds with worry

Entertainment - fill our lives with pleasure

With my family being away, I’ve been reminded lately of the importance of stillness and quietness. If I have lots of noise in my life, chances are, I have lots of influences that will hinder my submission to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.

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Excess: debauchery, extreme indulgence

A drunken person is not in control of themselves; they are under the control of the wine. Such a person is not going to pay much attention to other controlling influences. Neither will the Christian pay much attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit if they are already under the control of outside influences.

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The command for filling

Nowhere are we commanded to be baptized with the Spirit. That work of God finished with the apostles.

Nowhere are we commanded to be indwelt by the Spirit. That happens instantly at salvation. But here we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit. I hope that reality helps you sense the importance of this particular part of our study. Christian, you have responsibility before God to understand this and apply it to your life. It’s not optional; it’s commanded. You and I need to practice this in our daily lives.

Be filled: to fill up, to take possession of, to be completely under the influence, or wholly occupied with (controlled)

This command is in the present tense. Do you remember what that means?

Present tense: ongoing, continuous

This command is in the passive voice. Do you remember what that means?

Passive voice: happening to them/being done to them

“Subject is inactive and being acted upon, therefore the subject is submitted.” - Pastor Frank Camp

Wait a minute! You mean I’m commanded to do something that I can’t do myself? Yes!

Being filled with the Spirit is not something you do to yourself, it is something that the Spirit does to you. You don’t control yourself by the Spirit, you submit to the Spirit’s controlling you.

“We do not receive more of the Holy Spirit, but He is given (by us) CONTROL OVER US! Not us using the Spirit as a Power Source, but letting Him use us.” - Pastor Frank Camp

As you go about your day, the Holy Spirit is not your co-pilot. He doesn’t ride shotgun with you. He is not there to debate with you what you ought to do. No, you hand Him the keys, you climb into the backseat, and you say, “it’s all yours. Whatever you want for me today, I will listen, I will submit, and I will obey.” And then you go live it that day.

Christian, that must be your ongoing, continuous, or constant walk with the Lord throughout the day. Your responsibility before God is not be controlled; your responsibility is to submit to His controlling. God the Holy Spirit guarantees that He will do His job, but you must do yours. You must be submitted. As you meet alone with God every day, make sure that your heart and mind is submitted and ready to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. If you stop submitting to His control and you go and sin against Him, confess that sin, claim His forgiveness, and then start submitting to Him again. The Holy Spirit is ready and willing to control you, but you and I must rely on him by faith and be submitted.

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