Monday: Being Filled With the Holy Spirit
Read Ephesians 5:18, Acts 13:52, and Romans 8:9. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? How does being filled with the Spirit happen in our lives?
Once we are baptized and belong to Christ, we should live in the power of the Spirit. For this to happen we have to be filled with the Spirit.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
There are numerous references in the New Testament where people are filled with the Spirit (Luke 1:41, Luke 1:67; Acts 2:4; Acts 4:8, Acts 4:31; Acts 9:17; Acts 13:9). The apostle Paul uses the word filling to say that a person has completely submitted to God and is open for the guiding influence of the Holy Spirit so that God’s own work can be accomplished in the person’s life.
If we yield to the influence of alcohol, our walk, talk, and thoughts will be negatively affected. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we yield every part of our life to His transforming influence with the result that our walk, talk, and thoughts will reflect Jesus.
While the Spirit is given by the hearing of faith (Gal. 3:2) and is received through faith (Gal. 3:14) at our baptism (Titus 3:5-6), we need to seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit every day. We can’t live off a powerful experience that we had last year, or last month, or even yesterday. We need the infilling of God’s Spirit each day, for each day brings its own challenges.
In the Greek of Acts 13:52, the term filled with the Spirit is in the imperfect tense, signifying continuous action. It literally means: “being (continuously) filled.” Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event. It is something that we should seek and receive every day. This filling has to be repeated so that every part of our life is filled with His presence, and so we are empowered to live as we should.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit does not so much mean that we possess more of Him but that He possesses more of us. Only when we commit all aspects of our life to the Spirit every day can He use us to God’s glory.
“I wish to impress upon you the fact that those who have Jesus abiding in the heart by faith, have actually received the Holy Spirit. Every individual who receives Jesus as his personal Saviour, just as surely receives the Holy Spirit to be his Counselor, Sanctifier, Guide, and Witness.” – Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, p. 71.
(35)
I have found that it is not enough to invite the Holy Spirit to fill me in the morning only, but I must watch and pray always lest my selfishness take charge as a natural response in any situation.
What an amazing fact that we have a helper (last weeks lesson) Now we need to get accustomed to utilizing the helper. I will share some thoughts on the passages ....
a) Ephesians 5:18 - We need to make room (leverage mental energy) to utilize and benefit from the help. More so, the seat of a christian's consciousness (the frontal lobe) can be affected by what we feed on physically what our senses take in. I even likened wine to things that could number our senses e.g. leisure activities - films, computer games, ... even to things to which we get addicted (activities) I may not take physical wine but may uncontrollably spend hours-on-end watching TV or just movies/latest fashion/ninja tricks etc. they thrill my mind. we may need to identify what the 'wine' is in our lives!
b) Acts 13:52 - Am still studying this,... but so far, I see that the joy and infilling of the Holy Spirit is was after the city rejected the Gospel and the disciples brushed dust of their feet. Could it be that when we do our part in the ministry, the result is Joy, in spite of the reception from unbeliever?
May God continually reveal us individually how can have more of the Holy Spirit's influence. The result may mimic what the early believers in Acts witnessed.
Is He our helper, or are we His helper with His power?
Don,one thing is for sure,we need Gods help and not the other way round. The holy spirit is part of the godhead.God the Father,God the Son and God the Holy spirit. We need the Holy spirit(God the Holy Spirit) in our lives in order to live a christ-like (God the Son)life-Galatiana 2:20,and the Holy spirit helps us produce this. He is our helper. John 14:26, John 16:8 tell us that He (The Holy Spirit) is our helper. We are nt to use the Holy spirit but the Holy spirit should us us.Thanks and be blessed.
I think it goes both ways. After all, the last fruit of the Spirit is Self-governance
A very important observation in the lesson is this:
Perhaps the word "Helper" misleads us, because we think of a "helper" as serving us. But this "Helper" is God Himself. The Greek word used here is "Parakletos." It is someone who stands by one's side as an advocate or intercessor, as Christ Himself does for us. Thus we cannot use Him, but we can allow Him to use us. And when we do allow Him to use us and to fill us, we experience the joy that Jesus said He came to bring. (John 15:11)
Can we confuse our zealousness with being filled with the Holy Spirit? This is scary and real!! So many individuals are zealous like Saul, serving God for the wrong reasons, while the Holy Spirit is not in operation. Notice that although Saul was so diligent in his service of what he considered God's work, the Holy Spirit was not his partner.
But we noticed that after Saul's experience on Damascus road, ( having repented) he became filled with the Holy Spirit. "And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9: 17).
Galatians 5:22 tells us about the fruits of HOLYSPIRIT, this is a scale we all need to use to test if we have the right zeal or the right passion and if the HOLYSPIRIT is guiding us.
Quite right Lorraine; we often think that the Holy Spirit is the motivational force that will convert an introvert to an extrovert, compelling us to speak out. The story of Paul is a classic example of where the Holy Spirit directed him to quite a long period of study and self examination. The exact time is uncertain, depending on the interpretation of Paul's biographical details, but there was a period of several years between his conversion and his active role as a missionary. Paul had a lot of unlearning to do before he was ready. So while Paul had a spectacular conversion, there was quite a long period of preparation, which to our minds would have been dull and boring.
Too many of us pray for "an infilling of the Holy Spirit" (a rather over-used cliche) without thinking how the Holy Spirit is going to affect us.
I have mentioned in another thread that the appointment of deacons in the early church was essentially a Holy Spirit inspired event to do the somewhat mundane task of looking after the Greek widows of the church.
When we pray for the Holy Spirit, do we stop to think that maybe the Holy Spirit is asking us to be friends with our un-churched neighbour, or visit am irritating relative. It is worth remembering that if we are not answering the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit about the little things of life, can we really be trusted with preaching in the plaza?
That some food for thought there .. . we need to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit. |You say, too many of us pray for "an infilling of the Holy Spirit" without thinking how the Holy Spirit is going to affect us.
I am sometimes too impatient to wait for the small voice and listen. Its easy to disregard something because it is not logical! the more times we disregard the voice, the less it speaks.. and the reverse is true. if we submit, moment by moment, the more direction will come our way. When in doubt ask the person (Holy Spirit) once a directive (or suggestion) is confirmed act promptly.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit awakens and quickens me to do more for Jesus each day. Renouncing self, cleansing my body channels so that Christ can live out His life within me. Praise God.
Michelle, what do you do more for Jesus each day? When you renounce self and cleanse your body channels, what are you doing?
My concern is that we say these things but we fall short of describing the practical details. Here is a channel clearing experience. Look up all the references to the Holy Spirit/Ghost in the New Testament (there are about 100 of them and several of them are grouped together) and see how many of them refer to how people were affected by the Holy Spirit, or what should be the effect of the Holy Spirit. It took me only a few seconds to do the search and I have more than enough study material for the rest of the quarter.
Then ask yourself what can I do in response to the Holy Spirit in my life? Share your experience.
For a light bulb to work, it must stay connected to the power supply. The Holy Spirit is the power supply for the Christian. We can only be active Christians as we stay connected.
Some of us need a little help in finding the switch.
God bless you. I really like your perspectives. Been following this bible study for a while.
Being filled by the Holy Spirit, is allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, Jesus dwells in us. "He is the one who raised Jesus from the grave and quickens us"... (Romans 8:11).That is, regenerating a new life in us. Changinging our immoral mind to the mind of christ (moral mind).
Additionally, the indwelling of the Holy spirit within us, allow us to avoid the lust of the flesh, an opposing entity to the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:15). Bearing the fruits of the spirit requires daily interaction with God through Jesus. A fruitful tree is always nourished and if possible pruned continually. An individual who is continually being nourished by the word and chastened by the Spirit (Heb 12:6-11) will display signs of the Holy Spirit and not give in to the lust of the flesh.
I need the Holy Spirit's leading every day. It is a necessity as I go through these daily trials.
Every day that i go out without the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, i am prone to destruction. We have to recognize that it is not simply a daily, but a minutely in-filling that we need from the Holy Spirit in order to be used for the Glory of God. The enemy will use any and every opportunity that we are not connected with the holy spirit to his advantage. And he is aggressively seeking after our souls. Let us constantly invite the spirit to dwell within us by remaining in the word of God.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit means allowing Him to be in complete control of our thoughts, actions, etc. It means we have to be completely surrendered to Him so that we are no longer governed by the flesh. We are basically allowing the Holy Spirit to take up residence in our hearts, minds, etc. The Bible says that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. The rest of us should be under His influence as well. To be filled with the Holy Spirit means that every area of our lives belong to Him. We are not our own but the Holy Spirit\'s who is in us and whom we have from God (1 Corinthians 6:19, NASB).
Imagine having bought a new car. As you drive it off the sales lot it purrs along beautifully. It's all systems 'go' - the fuel tank has enough fuel to keep you running for a while. A few days and a few trips later your beautiful new car stops. There's no visible sign why - the body work is perfect; the engine is still spiffy clean, the oil and water levels are perfect. Perhaps a good carwash would help - steam clean the engine - top up the oil and water. Still no go. Any fool knows what the car needs is a top-up of fuel. We as Christians - yes and Adventists too, sometimes think that Baptism and the occasion Communion is a spiritual refueling. How wrong we are -- only regular maintenance in Bible study and daily top-up by the Holy Spirit will keep us going on that upward narrow road to heaven. God the Father is anxiously waiting to welcome His children home led by His Son, the Commander of the heavenly hosts, our Saviour Jesus. Lord give me a 'turbo' boost and keep me 'topped up' and ever vigilant. Make my spiritual vehicle a double decker bus and fill it to capacity with those I meet and witness to along the way.
Jesus reveals God the Father to us, the work of the Holy Spirit is to reveal Jesus to us. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins. He\'s sent to reveal truth. Jesus is the truth and the way. It\'s through the Holy Spirit that we understand the truth of scriptures. Our opinions of scriptures is not the working of the Holy Spirit. Especially when it is not in line with the truth. He(Holy Spirit) is our teacher, comforter, advocate, He nourish us and guide us. Without allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, we commit sin daily.The Holy Spirit is the breath of God. For Jesus said I come to give life and give it more abundantly.
Iam grateful that we have a good lesson though am struggling to grasp everything.
May you please help me understand the filling of the Holy spirit or baptism or receiving.
If one accept Jesus Christ as his/her personal Saviour, it is at the same time.one receives the Holy Spirit..with the baptism that takes place.... If that is the case,, WHY then in Acts 19: 1-6, the people were baptised the but they did not receive the Holy Spirit as we can see that Paul asked them if they have received the Holy Spirit.
Looks like it's possible that one may be baptised, can be a believer but without the Holy Spirit. My fear is there,, because on John 3: 5 Jesus is saying minus being born of themail Spirit one may not enter the kingdom.
So am abit confused,, because I might be a believer yet I don't have the Holy Spirit. Christian or non christian all are blessed with consciousness.. Of right and wrong
How will I differentiate because there are those people who are kind,loving, faithful et cetera but are non christians
Help me to understand
Thank you
Orpah, when you are baptized, you are telling the world that you are a follower of Jesus. That is the first step. But, daily, you have to ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you. How do you overcome the weaknesses of the flesh? It is by constantly studying God's word and praying for the Holy Spirit to help you to overcome. I love American Football. My college team played on Saturday and I could hardly wait for the Sabbath to be over. It was to me an idol. I had to ask the Holy Spirit to take away this desire from me. It did not happen over night, but little by little the desire has left me. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a continuous asking of the Lord. The Holy Spirit will tell you when you are doing something wrong. Do not judge yourself by looking at others, you do not know their heart.
Being guided by the Holy Spirit is less about what you take out of your life but more about what the Holy Spirit puts into your life.
Yes, the Holy Spirit brings true Love into the life. Love is, then, the driver of the soul. When God's Love drives us, desires change to be the same as Jesus in every situation we allow Him to drive us in.
When selfish (default) motivations take back over as our driver, we eventually sense something is not right. Maybe we don't know how to change it ourselves, but if we will give the Holy Spirit a chance to bring Love in as our driver, the way clears up for us. Solutions are always possible in Him even though we can't see them yet.
We need to ask the Father in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit(Luke 11:13). Though the disciples of Jesus had received Him as their Lord and Saviour, it didnt mean that they had been filled with the Holy Ghost untill the Day of Pentecoste.This is despite being sent to preach and performing miracles in Mathew 10. The same happened with Appolos the great preacher about Christ. He wasn't Spirit filled despite his great ministy, until he met Priscilla and Aquilla (Acts 18:24-26).This also happened with 12 disciples at Ephesus who believed and had water baptism, but they weren't Spirit-filled untill Apostle Poaul prayed for them (Acts 19:1-4). This means that we need to ask the Father untill He fills us. Receiving Christ is important(John 1:12), water baptism is crucial(Matthew 28:19-20), but being filled with the Holy Ghost is even indispensable for every believer(Acts 1:8).Remember we will not be taken up to Heaven without the Holy Spirit, who is our Lamp oil(Matthew 25:1-13).
What should I do to be filled with the Holy Ghost?
1) Repent(Acts 2:37-38)
2) Ask the Father to fill you until He fills you (LUKE 11:13)
Lastly, walk with Him, obey Him, don't dissappont Him for He is the SEAL OF GOD for us in the Last Day(Ephesians 4:30)
i have a catholic friend who speaks often about “channels”. That we need to go through the right channels to receive the Spirit She attends special charismatic channeled meatings. do i need to learn about what she neans? what does it all mean, please?