The concept of being filled with the Spirit is essential to the Christian life. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul commands believers, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” The Greek word for “filled” here is plēroō, often used to describe filling to capacity, such as wind filling the sails of a ship. This imagery beautifully illustrates how the Holy Spirit empowers and directs us, moving us in alignment with God’s will.
The Command to Be Filled
Being filled with the Spirit is a command, not a suggestion. Paul contrasts this filling with drunkenness, which leads to recklessness and lack of self-control. Instead, being Spirit-filled produces self-control, righteousness, and purpose, aligning our lives with God’s will.
In Acts 2:4, we see the disciples “filled with the Holy Spirit,” enabling them to speak in tongues and proclaim the Gospel boldly. This was not a one-time event; throughout the New Testament, we see believers repeatedly filled with the Spirit for specific tasks (Acts 4:31; Acts 13:52).
The Sailboat Analogy
A sailboat relies on the wind to propel it forward. Without the wind, it is stagnant. When a sail is filled with wind, the boat moves in the direction the wind drives it. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is the “wind” in our sails. Jesus uses this imagery in John 3:8, saying, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
When we are filled with the Spirit, we are moved in God’s direction, empowered to accomplish His purposes. Galatians 5:25 exhorts us, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” This “walking” suggests an active, ongoing movement directed by the Spirit.
How Are We Filled With the Spirit?
Being filled with the Spirit is not a passive process but requires our cooperation. While the initial indwelling of the Spirit occurs at salvation (Ephesians 1:13), the filling of the Spirit is a continual process, as indicated by the present tense of plēroō in Ephesians 5:18.
Surrender and Obedience
To be filled with the Spirit, we must surrender our will to God’s will. Romans 12:1 urges us, “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Obedience to God creates space for the Spirit to work in and through us (Acts 5:32).Prayer for Filling
Jesus promises that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13). In Acts 4:31, the disciples prayed, and they were filled anew with the Spirit, enabling boldness in their witness.Immersion in the Word of God
The Word of God is the Spirit’s primary tool for shaping our minds and directing our paths (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Colossians 3:16 parallels Ephesians 5:18, showing that being filled with the Spirit involves letting the Word of Christ dwell richly in us.Active Faith and Trust
Walking by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), aligns our hearts with the Spirit’s leading. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding, promising that He will direct our paths.
The Evidence of Being Filled
When a sail is filled with wind, it is visibly evident. Likewise, being filled with the Spirit produces noticeable fruit and characteristics in the believer’s life.
The Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 lists love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as evidence of the Spirit’s work in us. These fruits are not achieved through human effort but are a natural result of living under the Spirit’s influence.Boldness in Witness
Acts 1:8 promises that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses of Christ. This boldness is evident in Peter’s sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2) and the apostles’ fearless proclamation in the face of persecution (Acts 4:31).Spiritual Gifts
The Spirit fills believers with gifts to edify the church and accomplish God’s work. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”A Spirit-Filled Life of Worship
Ephesians 5:19-21 describes Spirit-filled living as marked by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, giving thanks to God, and submitting to one another. Worship becomes a natural outflow of being filled with the Spirit.
Resisting the Wind
Just as a sailboat can fail to move if its sails are not open, believers can resist the Spirit. Paul warns against grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) or quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Sin, disobedience, and neglect of spiritual disciplines hinder the Spirit’s work in our lives.
Isaiah 30:1-2 describes the danger of making plans without seeking the Spirit’s guidance, saying, “‘Woe to the rebellious children,’ says the Lord, ‘Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin.’” When we resist the Spirit, we become stagnant, failing to move in God’s direction.
My Final Thoughts
Being filled with the Spirit is an ongoing relationship of surrender, obedience, and trust in the Lord. It’s not about trying harder but about yielding to the Holy Spirit’s leading, allowing Him to fill our “sails” and propel us forward in God’s purposes.
As we are filled with the Spirit, our lives become marked by His fruit, His boldness, and His gifts, demonstrating His presence in a tangible way. Like a sailboat, we move in the direction of the Spirit’s leading, not by our own strength, but by His power. Let us continually seek His filling, walking in step with Him, so that our lives glorify God and fulfill His purposes.
