How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and active force of God in the world. As Christians, we want to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to live God-honoring lives and carry out His work. Here are several key things the Bible teaches about being filled with the Holy Spirit:
We Receive the Holy Spirit at Salvation
When we put our faith in Christ for salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). The Holy Spirit regenerates our dead spirits, convicts us of sin, produces faith, and enables us to repent and believe the gospel. The indwelling presence of the Spirit is God’s seal and guarantee of our salvation.
We Can Be Filled with the Spirit
Even though every believer has the Holy Spirit, we can experience greater fillings of the Spirit. We see this at Pentecost when the disciples “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). This was in fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to baptize His followers with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). The effect of the outpouring was powerful preaching leading many to faith in Christ. Other examples of the Holy Spirit coming upon God’s people in power include Acts 4:31 and 8:17. These fillings resulted in boldness in witness and spiritual gifts.
Being Filled with the Spirit Empowers Us to Serve God
A key result of being filled with the Holy Spirit is effectiveness in ministry and serving God. Jesus told His disciples to wait for the promise of the Father, “for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:4-5, 8). The power of the Spirit equips us for the work of evangelism and building up the church. As Paul wrote, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). The various spiritual gifts are means by which the Holy Spirit works through believers to accomplish God’s purposes (1 Corinthians 12:11). When we serve in our own effort we fall short, but when we rely on the Spirit’s power working through us, God uses our service to impact people for Christ.
Obedience and Faith Are Key to Being Filled with the Spirit
If we want to experience the empowering work of the Spirit, we must walk in obedience to God’s Word and live by faith. Paul commanded, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). The contrast indicates being filled with the Spirit is a matter of submitting to His control rather than being controlled by anything else. It flows from living a life of wisdom and making the most of every opportunity (Eph 5:15-17). When the early church faced threats, they prayed for boldness and “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). As we walk in faith and obedience, we put ourselves in a position for the Spirit to fill and empower us.
Being Filled with the Spirit Transforms Us from Within
A key part of the Spirit’s work is inner transformation. Paul wrote, “And we all…are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Holy Spirit shapes believers to become more like Jesus Christ. He cultivates spiritual fruit in our lives such as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit empowers us to put sin to death (Romans 8:13). As we yield more of ourselves to Him each day, He fosters positive change and Christlike maturity through an inner renewal of our hearts and minds. The filling of the Spirit is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process as we submit to His sanctifying work.
Pursuing a Life of Continual Filling
Because we still struggle with sin and spiritual weakness, we need to continually seek to be filled and directed by the Holy Spirit. We cannot reach a point in this life where we no longer need more of Him. Paul commanded, “Do not get drunk on wine … but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). The verb tense indicates we should go on being filled regularly and habitually. No matter how mature we become, we will always have more room for growth and more that God desires to do in and through us by His Spirit. Staying filled with the Spirit requires an ongoing reliance on Christ through Word-centered teaching, prayer, worship, fellowship with other believers, resisting sin, and offering our lives to God each day. As we walk closely with Christ and obey Him, the Holy Spirit empowers us to serve and witness, conforms us to His image, and helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us in ways beyond what we can imagine (Romans 8:26-27).
Key Steps to Take to Be Filled with the Spirit
In light of what Scripture teaches, here are some practical steps we can take to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and walk in the Spirit’s power:
– Repent of all known sin. Sin grieves the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and quenches His power in our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
– Yield control of every area of your life to the Spirit and desire Him to lead you into righteousness (Romans 8:12-14).
– Ask God to fill you with His Spirit according to His Word and promises (Luke 11:13). Come to Him with openness and expectancy.
– Meditate on Christ’s glory, goodness, grace and saving work for you and thank Him for the gift of His Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
– Read, study, and memorize Scripture, which is the Spirit’s sword in our lives (Ephesians 6:17). Be transformed and shaped by God’s Word.
– Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
– Use your gifts and abilities to serve others, be a bold gospel witness, and disciple younger believers by the Spirit’s enablement (1 Peter 4:10-11).
– Walk in fellowship and unity with other Christians (Philippians 2:1-2).
– Pray at all times in the Spirit with prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18). Let the Spirit direct your prayers.
As we take these steps by faith, we open ourselves up to being filled and directed by the Holy Spirit. Though we cannot manipulate Him, He delights to empower those who humbly rely on Christ and seek to obey Him. By walking in the Spirit day by day, our lives will bear much spiritual fruit for God’s glory.
Manifestations and Gifts of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit manifests Himself in believers’ lives in various ways. Here are some key ways the New Testament describes the Holy Spirit working in and through believers:
The Fruit of the Spirit – As we walk in the Spirit, He produces His fruit in our lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This happens as we submit to the Spirit’s sanctifying work.
Gifts of the Spirit – The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers for serving the church, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, discerning of spirits, helps, administration, leadership, giving, mercy, evangelism, shepherding, teaching, and exhortation (1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Peter 4:9-11). These empower our ministry.
Praying in the Spirit – The Spirit helps us pray according to God’s will as we yield to His leading and direction in prayer (Romans 8:26-27, Jude 1:20).
The Spirit’s Inner Witness – The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:14-16). He assures believers of their adoption, salvation, and acceptance before God.
Conviction of Sin – The Spirit convicts unbelievers of sin, righteousness and judgment to draw them to Christ (John 16:8-11). He also convicts believers when we sin.
Glorifying Christ – The Spirit glorifies and reveals Jesus Christ to us and through us (John 16:14). He enables us to see, savor, and be satisfied in the glory of Christ.
Guidance – The Holy Spirit guides believers to understand and apply God’s Word and go in the right paths (John 16:13, Acts 8:29). As we submit to God’s wisdom, the Spirit directs our steps.
Comfort – The Spirit comforts believers as the paraklete, our advocate and helper (John 14:16). He encourages, consoles, and reassures God’s people.
Power – The Holy Spirit gives believers spiritual power and strength by the might of His inner man (Ephesians 3:16, Acts 1:8). His power working through us enables effective ministry.
Freedom – Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). The Spirit liberates us from bondage to sin and condemnation through Christ.
Unity – The Spirit unifies believers together in Christ’s body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 2:21-22). He enables people from diverse backgrounds to love one another.
Intercession – The Spirit intercedes for believers before God and helps us pray according to God’s will (Romans 8:26-27). Even our unspoken groanings are understood by the Spirit.
Teaching – The Holy Spirit teaches believers and helps us understand and apply God’s Word (John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:13). He illuminates Scripture and impresses its truth on our hearts.
Courage – The Spirit gives believers courage to share the gospel, rebuke sin, and endure opposition and hardship for Christ’s sake (Acts 4:29,31, 2 Timothy 1:7-8).
Holiness – The Spirit sets believers apart from this world and empowers us to live holy lives (Romans 15:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:13). He purifies us and renews our minds to desire God’s will.
Hope – Through God’s Word, the Spirit fills believers with hope and confidence in His promises (Romans 15:13). Our hope is empowered by His inner work in our hearts.
These manifestations of the Spirit serve to glorify Christ, transform believers into His image, empower us for ministry, and help the church grow. We experience more of the Spirit as we yield to Him in faith and obedience day by day.
Questions about the Holy Spirit
Here are some common questions people have about the Holy Spirit and how He operates based on what Scripture teaches:
How do I know if I have the Holy Spirit?
If you have trusted in Christ for salvation, you have the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9, Ephesians 1:13-14). Evidence of His indwelling includes conviction of sin (John 16:8), inner assurance (Romans 8:16), desire to obey God (Ezekiel 36:27), understanding the Bible (1 John 2:20), and bearing spiritual fruit in your life (Galatians 5:22-23).
Why do some believers have certain gifts but not others?
Spiritual gifts are given “as He wills” according to the Spirit’s sovereign wisdom, not ours (1 Corinthians 12:11). Gifts are apportioned to each believer as the Spirit deems best for building up the body and reaching the lost. We cannot demand certain gifts, but are responsible to cultivate those we’ve been given. Ultimately, gifts are from the Spirit, not ourselves.
Should we seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
The baptism of the Holy Spirit serves to initiate believers into Christ’s body, the church universal (1 Corinthians 12:13). This occurs at conversion for all Christians when we receive the Spirit. Subsequent fillings of the Spirit further empower our service and witness as we walk in obedience. We do not need to seek a separate baptism since Christ baptizes all believers with the Spirit at salvation.
Why do some say we should speak in tongues as evidence of the Spirit?
Some teach that all believers must speak in tongues as proof of being baptized in or filled with the Spirit. But Scripture does not support that idea. Tongues-speaking was one gift that attended receiving the Spirit in some places like Pentecost, but it was not universal. Paul corrected excesses about tongues in Corinth, teaching that not everyone has certain gifts, and love is more vital than tongues (1 Corinthians 12-14). What’s most important is the fruit that the Spirit produces in believers’ lives.
Should we let the Spirit overpower our actions and behavior?
The Holy Spirit is sovereign but operates via believers’ voluntary submission and cooperation. We are responsible to test what manifests as being from the Spirit based on the authority of Scripture (1 John 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). As we yield to the Spirit, He produces self-control and sound minds, not loss of control or bizarre behavior (Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Timothy 1:7). God’s Spirit works in harmony with His Word to glorify Christ.
Does the Holy Spirit give us revelation outside Scripture?
God has revealed His truth fully through Christ and the apostles, which is recorded in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:1-2). Christians should beware of anyone claiming “the Spirit told me” something contrary to Scripture. As the Spirit inspired the Bible, He will never contradict it. He enlightens our understanding of Scripture, not giving new revelations (John 14:26, 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:10-14).
How do I walk in step with the Spirit each day?
To walk in the Spirit requires submitting to His control rather than our flesh. We do this by cultivating spiritual disciplines like Bible reading, prayer, worship, fellowship, giving, serving, and sharing our faith. Confessing sins that grieve the Spirit and seeking His empowerment for obedience also help us walk by the Spirit. The key is depending on the Spirit continually to produce His fruit in our lives and fill us to serve God. Our role is to yield to, obey, and rely on the Spirit each day.
The Holy Spirit’s filling brings supernatural power, boldness, spiritual gifts, victory over sin, understanding of God’s Word, inner renewal, and Christlike character. As we surrender more of ourselves to His control and walk in faith and obedience, the Spirit will transform us to be more like Jesus and empower us to serve God for His glory.
