BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

Being filled with the Spirit is an experience every believer should have often, but it’s not so; unfortunately. To be filled with the Spirit is different from receiving the Holy Spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit once, but we can be filled with the Spirit again and again (Acts 2:4, 4:31). You can be filled with the Spirit when you receive the Holy Spirit, but it’s got to be continuous. It’s an experience that must be relived. I’ll try to explain what it means to be filled with the Spirit in the best possible way I can. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. According to John chapter 7 verses 38&39, the water Jesus spoke about is the Holy Spirit. Now, receiving the Holy Spirit is drinking the water, but being filled with the Spirit is having that water springing up within you. Hallelujah! Do you understand? God’s will is for us to be filled with the Spirit all the time. The words of Jesus according to the Amplified Bible is that the water He gives us will become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) continually in us. Amazing things happen when we are filled with the Spirit: we are filled with boldness (Acts 4:31), we speak with other tongues (Acts 2:4), we do great wonders and miracles (Acts 6:8), we speak amazing words of wisdom (Acts 6:10), our spiritual eyes are opened and we see the glory of God (Acts 7:55), we can issue decrees and say words that come to pass (Acts 13:9-11). As we pray, remain in touch with the Lord and fellowship with the brethren we are constantly filled with the Spirit and we are renewed. You see, a Christian who doesn’t pray will continue to be hungry and thirsty because there will be no flow, no bubbling, no welling up and no springing up. Hmm. No wonder Paul wrote, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 (AMP). Glory to God! Follow @PastorChinae