Be Filled

Ephesians 5:18

And be not drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be ye filled with the Spirit.

We have a command here in the scripture that is to be taken literally. What is the command? It simply says two things, one, do not be drunk with wine. Most of us have no problem with that. We all agree that we are not to get drunk, that is so simple. The next part of the statement is just as direct and just as simple. It says be filled with the Spirit. I wonder why we can so easily see and agree with the first part of the command and yet be so blind and ignoring of the second part.

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Let’s look closely at this verse. First of all we notice that the word Spirit is capitalized this is a sure indication that we are talking about the Holy Spirit and not just any spirit. For example, the spirit of joy, laughter or some other emotional feeling. This is a literal Spirit and specific Spirit as is indicated by the word “the”, signifying that it is a unique Spirit.

So, we have settled that part, we know who we are to be filled with, now let’s see what it means to be filled. Actually the tense here means to be continually being filled. It is an ongoing process, day by day and moment by moment.

It has been said that whatever a person is filled with controls them. For example, a person filled with joy is controlled by joy, the same is true with bitterness, fear, envy, lust, etc. Now look at this great thing we have going here. We are told to be filled with the Spirit. Think about that, He is God’s presence, power and ability filling us all the time to control us and produce God’s will and works in us and through us. We are never without the presence of God. PTL!