Be Filled With The Spirit
Ephesians 5:18
Introduction: This text has been abused and misused by “modern day perfectionists” (second blessing teachers), “modern day Corinthians” (tongues speaking is evidence of the filling of the Holy Spirit), “modern day healers” (they place the physical over the spiritual) and “modern day mystics” (visions, voices, fortune tellers).
Let’s just take an honest look at this verse and see what we can discover. Note three things.
I. The Requirement
“Be filled…” What does this mean? The basic idea is that of seizure and control. We allow Him to conquer, correct and control. We follow His guiding. Consider four things about this “command”.
A. The Paramount Mood: This is an imperative (command). It is not an option. The command comes from God. Fleshly living leads to riotousness. Spirit filled living leads to righteousness.
B. The Plural Form: It is addressed to all believers!
C. The Passive Voice: The passive voice means you are acted upon. He does the filling.
D. The Present Tense: It is to be an ongoing event, a repeated action. It is a daily assignment. Why? Sanctification doesn’t happen all at once. Old habits and practices are rooted out moment by moment, day by day and year by year. We will never reach the point of living totally above sin. But little by little we can be transformed to be more like Christ.
II. The Results
A. Joy (v.19): Gal. 5:22. Real joy comes when one is under the influence (of the spirit that is).
B. Thankfulness (v.20): Did you know “think” and “thank” come from the same root word. When we think of all God has done for us we become more thankful.
C. Submission (v.21): We will submit to the needs of others.
III. The Rewards
A. God will become more real: You will experience more of the supernatural and unexplainable.
B. We will become better witnesses: Acts 1:8.
C. We will become better people: We will bear more fruit and become more like Jesus.
Conclusion: Be filled with the Holy Spirit!
