Being Filled With The Spirit

All Christians Have The Spirit

Romans 8:1-18 gives us insight into what the Spirit’s presence in the life of a believer looks like. First, Paul explains to us the work of the Spirit as He applies Christ’s work to us and transforms us. Then Paul provides three fruits that the Spirit produces in us:

The Indwelling of the Spirit produces obedience to God’s Law. Romans 8:8–9

Romans 8:8–9 NKJV

8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

The indwelling of the Spirit produces a desire to kill sin. Romans 8:12-13

Romans 8:12–13 NKJV

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

The indwelling of the Spirit produces hope in Christlike suffering. Romans 8:17-18

Romans 8:17–18 NKJV

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Since all Christians have the Holy Spirit, then all Christians will experience these three things. There is, however, another aspect of the Spirit as it pertains to our relationship with Him and it’s often called being “Filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

Ephesians 5:18 NKJV

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

All Christians Are Called To Be Filled With The Spirit

How are these different?

While all Christians have the Spirit living in them at all times, not everyone is full of the Spirit at all times. In Acts 13:9, we find that Paul is filled with the Spirit just before he begins preaching. The thing is that we read of him, and Peter, being filled with the Spirit on earlier occasions. This teaches us that the Christian may receive multiple, continual, or even increasing filings of the Spirit throughout their lives. But what does this look like?

What does this look like?

1. It looks like joyful worship and submission. Ephesians 5:19-21

Ephesians 5:19–21 NKJV

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

2. It looks like empowered witnessing. Acts 13:42-52

Acts 13:42–52 NKJV

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.... 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

3. It looks like empowered resistance to Satan’s schemes. Luke 4:1-2

Luke 4:1–2 NKJV

1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

How is this pursued?

Ephesians 5:18 NKJV

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

One writer said, “The contrast with drunkenness implies receiving mind-altering, behavior-changing influence in pursuit of happiness.” Charles Hodge said, “Men are said to be filled with wine when completely under its influence; so they are said to be filled with the Spirit when He controls all of their thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.”

In essence, the way that we pursue this is by yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit. To put it plainly, submitting to the Spirit is the path, and being filled with the Spirit is the result.

In the New Testament, while God sometimes immediately fills people for a purpose, such as Paul being filled to preach, we often see that God fills His people with the Spirit when they prayerfully ask Him to do so! Luke 11:11-13

Luke 11:11–13 NKJV

11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Acts 4:31 NKJV

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

How is this hindered?

By Grieving the Spirit. Ephesians 4:25-32

Ephesians 4:25–32 NKJV

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

2. By Quenching the Spirit. 1 Thess. 5:19

1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV

19 Do not quench the Spirit.

3. By failing to Seek More of Him. Luke 11:11-13

Luke 11:11–13 NKJV

11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”