The Bible says, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Eph.5:18) Apostle Paul commenced his teaching regarding how to walk in wisdom by putting into perspective, the similarity and contrast in the influence of being drunk with wine and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Both the one who is drunk of wine and the one who is filled with the Holy Spirit are under the control and influence of what and who they have surrendered to. Their behaviour is dictated and controlled by what or whose influence they have surrendered their body, soul and spirit. However, there is contrast in the effect of the influence depending on the choice they have made. Apostle Peter clarified to the Men of Judea and those who dwell in Jerusalem who could not differentiate between being filled with the Holy Spirit and being drunk of wine. (Acts.2:13-16)

Paul knowing the contrasting effect of the influences, warned Christian against been drunk with wine and commanded them to be filled with the Holy Spirit instead. Though similar influence, but contrast effect. One who is drunk of wine surrendered his body, soul, and spirit to the control of Satan and the effect produced on him causes him to be contentious, violent and sorrowful. His thought is corrupted by strange things, and his heart utters unreasonable things. (Prov.23:33) While the one who is filled with the Holy Spirit surrendered his body, soul, and spirit to the control of God the Holy Spirit and the effect produced on him causes him to put on the righteousness of Jesus Christ and makes no provision to fulfil its own lust and was not drawn away by the lusts of the flesh. (Rom.13:14)

To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to receive supernatural power that enables one to do exploit for God. Jesus says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witness to Me...” (Acts.1:8a) Jesus’s prophecy truly came to pass on the Day of Pentecost when His disciples spoke in different tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance to witness Jesus to the understanding of the people. They were convicted in their minds by the Holy Spirit so much that three thousand souls were added to the Church at the end of Apostle Peter’s words of exhortation. (Acts.2:2-41) In a similar manner, Stephen being filled with the Holy Spirit was able to gaze into heaven where he saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right side of God in confirmation of the truth he had witnessed to the stubborn people of Israel. (Acts7:55-56)

To be filled with the Holy Spirit is a command every Christian must obey. It is not about getting or praying to get additional or new Holy Spirit. Every believer of Christ receives the gift of the Holy Spirit at the inception of their Salvation. The Bible makes it clear that whoever does not have the Holy Spirit is not a Christian. It says, “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” (Rom.8:9b) So, one is filled with the Holy Spirit when he is consistently under the control and influence of God through habitual obedience to the directives of the Holy Spirit and does not grieve the Holy Spirit. When one walks in obedience to the word of God through the illumination of the Holy Spirit who enable one to understand the Word so much that the word begins to impact on one’s daily living. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to regularly be in communication with God in prayer asking for the desire to continually surrender to God the Holy Spirit.

Dear brethren, if you yield to the Holy spirit and be filled with Him, the time will come either gradually or instantaneously, when you will realize the indwelling Christ in you. To be filled with the Holly Spirit goes beyond speaking in tongues. The tongues spoken on the Day of Pentecost were well understood languages that witnessed the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unbeliever listeners. (Acts.2:7-11) The Bible says, “Tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers...” (1 Cor.14:22a) When you are filled with the Holly Spirit, you will be renewed in your heart and in your mind so much that you will put on the character of a new person created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness with the ability to do exploit for Christ.

The end result of the activity of the Holy Spirit is to restore the essence of God within you.

Shalom

Evangelism

Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour today and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre