The apostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More invites the believers in Ephesus (Ephesians 5:18), and this message also applies to us. While reading the New Testament, particularly the book of Acts, we see several believers who responded to this invitation and were described as being filled with the Spirit or fully empowered by the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More.

As with many terms in the Bible, we should first seek a clear definition. Understanding God's thoughts correctly is crucial for drawing the right conclusions for our lives. This is especially important for the topic at hand, as being filled with the Spirit is not just theoretical; it directly impacts our practical lives. Being "filled" with the Holy Spirit has rightly been referred to as the "formula for victory" in the life of a child of God.

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?

In the passage from Ephesians 5:18, two seemingly contrasting thoughts are presented. On the one hand, the apostle warns, "Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation," and on the other hand, he urges, "But be filled with the Spirit." This contrast highlights the issue of influence and control. When someone intoxicates themselves with wine, they become influenced or even dominated by alcohol. This influence affects both the person's mental and physical behavior. A person under the influence of alcohol acts differently than when they are sober. Similarly, a Christian who is influenced by the Spirit behaves differently from someone who is not guided by the Spirit.

To be filled with the Spirit means to be entirely under the influence and control of the Spirit. The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More takes complete possession of the believer, guiding their thoughts, actions, and abilities. Everything a Spirit-filled believer does aligns with what the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More desires. It is a life of devotion in which self-will is surrendered. A Christian filled with the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More is fully controlled by Him.

Believers are called to be filled with the Spirit, and it's important to distinguish this experience from what we commonly refer to as "indwelling." Indwelling is the reality that the believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit. The tense used in Ephesians 5:18 emphasizes that being filled is not a one-time event but something that can occur repeatedly. It could also be understood as "Be filled with the Spirit continually." While we receive the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More once and for all when He comes to dwell within us, we do not experience being filled with the Spirit only once. As someone wisely stated, no one can live on the spiritual power of the past.

All believers receive the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation, and He resides in us, making our bodies His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). This applies to every child of God, regardless of their weakness. It is a blessing from God that does not depend on our practical condition; because the Spirit dwells within us, we have been placed in a new position. However, being filled with the Spirit is an experience related to our practical state, not our position. Some children of God have never experienced this, while others experience it repeatedly. Additionally, this filling is not confined to the period of grace; there are instances in the Old Testament where believers were "full" of the Spirit, such as Joshua in Deuteronomy 34:9 and Bezalel in Exodus 31:3. However, in the Old Testament, the thought of the Spirit "dwelling" in believers was not present. This blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More is specifically reserved for the redeemed during the time of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More.

To summarize, when the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More takes residence in a person, the believer receives the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. Conversely, when believers allow themselves to be filled with the Spirit, it is the other way around. In this case, the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More receives the believer, meaning the believer fully surrenders and allows the Spirit to work freely and unhindered in their life. The distinction is significant and profound. It is one thing to have the Spirit and quite another for the Spirit to have us. The first applies to all children of God; unfortunately, the second does not.