How to Be Filled with the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the giver of life. Spiritual renewal inside believers and revival of churches is the work of the Spirit. Times of refreshing come from the Lord when we follow the leading of the Spirit in our lives. For this reason, Scripture tells us to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). This language is a way of describing an ongoing receptiveness of the Spirit’s influence in our lives. The Holy Spirit is not a power source to tap into but a living person with whom we cultivate a relationship. As A.W. Tozer once wrote, being filled with the Spirit is “not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people.” What things can we do to position our hearts to be filled with the Spirit’s presence and the transformation and empowerment he brings?
Present your body to the Spirit.Transformation of life only occurs when we really present ourselves to God to be shaped by the Spirit rather than molded after the ways of the world. “…offer your bodies as living sacrifice…do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2).
Ask for the Spirit’s presence.Have you ever asked for God for his Holy Spirit? If we pray without believing, we should not expect to receive. Jesus said “ask and it will be given to you.” He is specific, “how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13).
Set your mind on the things of the Spirit.Our thoughts are the door to our inner lives. We lay out the welcome mat for the Spirit’s filling when we focus our thoughts upon spiritual things instead of fleshly things. “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Rom. 8:5).
Allow your heart to be filled with spiritual melodies.The same verse that says we should be filled with the Spirit gives us a specific approach: singing with a melody on our hearts. Relationship with the Spirit can be “wooed and cultivated” and he is attracted to hearts that sing a love song to God. Want to be Spirit-filled? Sing lots of spiritual songs throughout the day. “…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18-19).
Stop escaping life and awaken to reality.When we are overwhelmed, it can be tempting to escape our problems by dulling reality with things like alcohol (or overeating, binge watching television, etc.). Being Spirit-filled, however, is about awakening to God’s life that transcends every circumstance. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).
Be saturated with the word of the Spirit.If you want a seed to sprout, you must do the hard work of tilling the soil. Plow your heart by digging into Scripture. If you want the Spirit to fill your life, then “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col. 3:16, ESV).
Pray in the Spirit.Communication is the currency of relationship. If you want deeper intimacy with the Spirit, then increase the amount of time you spend in transparent conversation with God. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph. 6:18).
Give thanks for everything.Spending time in gratitude and counting your blessings attracts the Spirit of God to saturate your life. “…be filled with the Spirit…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything” (Eph. 5:18-20). Being filled with the Spirit is not a completely passive event we wait for, neither is it something we can create ourselves. We let the Spirit fill us when we allow him to have more and more control over our lives by increasingly surrendering to him in the thoughts and activities of our lives.
Being filled with the Spirit is not a completely passive event we wait for, neither is it something we can create ourselves. We let the Spirit fill us when we allow him to have more and more control over our lives by increasingly surrendering to im in the thoughts and activities of our lives.
