Filling of the Spirit Coincides with Ongoing Instruction in and Submission to the Word of God

(Note: All true believers have been indwelled and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Both of these divine actions remain permanent and set apart those who are believers who have been called in Christ heavenward. This article will focus on what it means for believers to filled by the Spirit during their earthly lives.)

In Ephesians 5:19, Paul, who is writing to his Christian audience (i.e., those who have been indwelled by the Spirit) tells believers that they are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. As a state of being, one cannot ‘be filled with the Holy Spirit’ by direct self-effort. In other words, one cannot focus on being filled with the Spirit, pray fervently to be filled with the Spirit, or perform any other activity directed solely at being filled with the Spirit. To put this another way, God’s Spirit is the One who actively fills the believer, while the believer is passively filled. Given this, what exactly is the believer’s role in the process of continuing to be filled by the Spirit?

How to Be Filled with the Spirit

To keep unified with the Spirit (i.e., to be continuously filled), believers should “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which [they] have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Eph 4:1-2 NASB). To walk in such a manner, Christians are to position ourselves under the ministry of a pastor and a church’s teaching ministry so as to be equipped “for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:11-12 NASB). By submitting to proper training in the Word, we will mature to a point where our minds will be buffeted from false teachings and any other form of deceitfulness (Eph 4:13-14). Furthermore, as we become increasingly capable of properly understanding and applying God’s Word (“speaking the truth in love”), we will “grow up into all aspects into … Christ” (Eph 4:15).

Based on Ephesians 4:1-15, it should be clear that the believer’s mind plays a central role in their being filled with the Spirit. It is with one’s mind that one becomes able to receive training in the Word so as to develop sound doctrine. With this deep understanding of the Scripture, one is able to stand against any deceitfulness. In this process of maturation through the ministry of the Word upon one’s mind, believers will experience many trials and tribulations. They may find themselves having run astray at times. Regardless of the difficulty encountered and whether its origin is inward, outward, or perhaps both, believers who allow their minds to be harkened back to the Scripture will experience the filling of the Spirit as long as they surrender in light of its instruction. Such believers will know then what it means “to put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 13:14 NASB). By remaining faithful, they will daily walk in the eternal reality of their salvation by allowing their old selves to remain (in a temporal/experiential) sense crucified with Christ so that they will no longer live as slaves to sin (cf. Rom 6:6).

In Ephesians 4:17-19 NASB, Paul makes it clear that Spirit-filled believers must avoid the godless behavior of unbelievers whose minds who are ignorant of God’s Word and “darkened in their understanding.” Just as ‘being filled with the Spirit’ is a state of being, so is being “darkened in [one’s] understanding” (Eph 4:18 NASB). This state of ignorance is the state of being that all non-believers are hopelessly trapped in apart from God’s saving grace. Believers, who have by default received the gift of salvation, “are to rid [them]selves of the old self” (Eph 4:22 NASB). Specifically, believers should put aside any and all sinful behaviors, and actively war against even their own flesh should any inclination towards sin be manifested from within (cf. Rom 7:14-25). Furthermore, they should follow Christ’s example on the cross where he forgave those who treated Him unjustly, forewent His rights, and humbly and faithfully trusted God. By doing so, believers will “put on [their] new self” (Eph 4:24 NASB).

So, in Ephesians 4:22, Paul discusses putting aside the old self and its ways, and in Ephesians 4:25, Paul instructs God’s people to put on their new self and its ways. In between, Paul once again demonstrates in Ephesians 4:23 that instruction in the Word of God lies in the path of the believers who desire to follow Christ’s call to maturity and the ongoing state of being filled by the Spirt. In particular, he says that believers are to “be renewed in the spirit of [their] minds” (Eph 4:22 NASB). In Greek, “renewed” is a present passive infinitive that modifies “put-on” in Ephesians 4:25. The relationship of these words, therefore, demonstrates that Paul is essentially discussing a state of being within one’s mind that occurs as one turns from sinful ways and pursues righteousness.

At the point of salvation, a believer’s mind is renewed by the Spirit and thereby equipped with spiritual and moral capabilities to grow in the knowledge of God (1 Cor 2:12 NASB). This renewal continues throughout the believer’s life as they submit themselves to God’s Word (Eph 5:17-32; cf. Rom 12:1-2; Titus 3:5). Given that believers must continue to struggle with the lingering effects of sin in their flesh and the attacks by Satan from without, believers are called to actively participate in this renewal work (i.e., filling) of the Spirit by engaging in the study of Scripture and actively seeking Him in prayer (Phil 2:16; Col 3:16).

Along their journey, believers should test themselves and make sure that they are continuing to walk by the Spirit. In Ephesians 4:25-32, Paul develops his earlier admonition to believers in Ephesians 4:15 where he instructed them to speak “the truth in love” (NASB). Specifically, believers should speak truthfully among themselves and ultimately anyone else (Eph 4:25). Given that Paul mentions anger in v.26 just after discussing proper and loving communication between believers, it is expected that believers who enjoy close fellowship will experience relational difficulties whereby anger (whether justified or not) will arise. When such anger arises, Paul directs believers to hash out their differences and find resolution immediately lest the devil be given the opportunity to obstruct their Spirit-filled walk with Christ (Eph 4:26-27; cf. Matt 5:23; 18:15).

Besides actively addressing relational constraints, believers who desire to remain Spirit-filled should avoid stealing and mooching off of others and strive to provide for themselves and others with their own efforts (Eph 4:28). Such believers must also guard their mouth against any and all unwholesome and non-edifying talk and instead distribute grace through communication that builds others up (Eph 4:29). Along with their graceful words, they should actively remove “bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander…, along with all malice” by practicing love, forgiveness, self-denial, and open and honest communication to maintain unity (Eph 4:31-32 NASB).