Spirit Filled Life
~ Pastor Biakson
Introduction
Let us be thoughtful and try not to misunderstand the meaning of a Spirit filled life. It does not necessarily mean the state of being extremely energetic or hyperactive or overactive. It means to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Also, it is not just for a selected few but for all Christians. Before going into the details, let us have a quick recap on what had been said the previous year about the Purpose of why God has given us the Holy Spirit.
- Indwelling Presence (John 14:16; Matthew 28:20) - “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Matt 28:20] In the days of the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit of the Lord would fill His men and leave them time and again, for instance, Samson (Judges 14:6; 14:19). But now, in the times of the New Testament, the privilege we have is that the Holy Spirit will fill us not to leave again the day we are born again. We become the habitation of the Spirit of God.
- Power (John 15:5) - Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” A Christian life without the Holy Spirit is powerless (Acts 1:8) and impossible.
- Witnessing (Acts 1:8) – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We are not to remain idle when we receive the Holy Spirit but rather the purpose is to be His witnesses.
- A seal for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30) – The Holy Spirit does not simply dwell in us just like that, it also seals us and declares we are the Children of God. Satan knows very well those who have the Holy Spirit and therefore is afraid of them. If we are Children of God, Satan will never triumph over us. Let us stop talking about the works done by Satan but instead declare God’s glory.
Understanding a Spirit Filled Life (Acts 2:4, Ephesians 5:18)
- It is the core foundation of the early Churches. They were continually filled by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, a spirit filled life is a normal Christian life. (Acts 13:52; 2:4; 4:8; 4:31; 6:3; 6:5; 7:55; 9:17; 11:24; 13:9; 13:52).
- It is a command (Ephesians 5:18), an order to be strictly followed. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) is also a command which is carried out by every denomination. “You shall have no other gods before me” is another command which we find it of great importance. Moreover, it is not meant for some particular people but for every single Christian. The degree of command to not get drunk on wine is as earnest as the degree of command to be filled by the Holy Spirit.
- To be filled by the Holy Spirit is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Like wine/alcohol takes control of those who are drunk, a Spirit filled life is controlled by the Holy Spirit. A Spirit filled life implies a spiritually disciplined life and being filled with the words of Christ (Colossians 3:16).
- Requirements to be spirit filled: To be indwelled by the Holy Spirit which means to be born again (John 3:5; Ephesians 13:14; Acts 2:38; Ezekiel 36:26; I Chronicles 3:16; 6:19), Obedience (Colossians 3:15; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4), Guidance of the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9, 8:14).
- Outcome of Spirit Filled life: People filled with spirit receive power (Acts 1:8), they have a victorious Christian life (Galatians 5:16-18; Acts 20:22; Zechariah 4:6), they have abundant overflowing life (John 7:37-39), they bear fruits in the likeness of Christ (Galatians 5:22-25) and Christ is being Glorified (John 16:14).
