When our Pentecostal and charismatic friends think of one being "filled with the Sprit," they invariably think such is manifested by speaking in tongues or possession of another miraculous gift. There is no doubt that several passages used the phrase "filled with the Spirit" to describe one who possessed miraculous power during the time of the revelation and confirmation of the word (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 13:9). When the phrase was used in those cases, it was clearly intended to declare the source of the miraculous action. In other words, the miracle did not come in whole or in part from any other source than the Holy Spirit -- divine power alone was the origin of every miraculous action.
But the phrase "filled with the Spirit" is also used to describe motivation behind holy and righteous action in the child of God which is of a non-miraculous nature, but guided by the Spirit's instruction through the word. The inspired apostle speaks of a "walk" or way of life that is the result of one being filled with the "fruit of the Spirit" as opposed to the "works of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16-25). The epistle to the Romans is replete with the same kind of imagery. Romans 8 speaks of the same two directors of one's life -- the Spirit or the flesh. The flesh leads to a life filled with sin and death, whereas one whose life is filled with the Spirit's guidance and direction is characterized by life and peace. Other New Testament passages could be cited to show the same thing, but nowhere is this more plainly seen than in the book of Ephesians.
Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ (Eph. 5:15-21).
Walking as the wise is the opposite of walking "in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding" (Eph. 4:17). We reject foolishness and walk as the wise when we "understand what the will of the Lord is." One who understands the will of the Lord will not seek to be "drunken with wine, wherein is riot," for that was the way idolaters worshiped while in their ignorance. As we understand the Lord's will and walk in it, we are allowing ourselves to be "filled with the Spirit" who guides us by means of that will. Those filled with the Spirit are noted by "speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord." In a parallel passage, Paul says that the same action results in those who "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Col. 3:16). Is it not clear that we are "filled with the Spirit" when we "let the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly"? The Spirit's means of filling our lives is by the medium of His revelation -- the word of Christ (Jn. 16:13-14).
The resulting life of one filled with the Spirit's instruction stands in stark contrast to a way of life said to "grieve the Holy Spirit" because it is characterized by "corrupt speech," "filthiness," "foolish talking or jesting," and the "clamor" or "railing" which accompany a bitter spirit of uncontrolled anger (Eph. 4:29-31; 5:3-4). To be filled with the Spirit is to obey His word.
We must examine ourselves to see if we exhibit a life which is "filled with the Spirit." Being filled with the Spirit demands that we not only understand the will of the Lord, but also that we walk in that will. Let us notice a few areas which will help us so examine ourselves:
(1) Are we truly filled with the Spirit if we engage in the lascivious action of dancing, petting or immodest dress? Does the Spirit lead us to watch R-rated movies with nudity and other demonstrations of lasciviousness? If we justify such actions in our teaching and preaching, do we manifest an understanding of the Lord's will which precedes being filled with the Spirit?
(2) Are we truly filled with the Spirit if we speak falsehoods? How could the "Spirit of truth" direct us to lie? It is impossible! The Spirit revealed only truth and that revelation instructs us to tell the truth (Eph. 4:20-25; Col. 3:9-10). The Spirit's instruction shows very clearly that all lying and all liars stand condemned (Rev. 21:8, 27; Prov. 6:16-19).
(3) Are we truly filled with the Spirit if we steal? Christians do not refrain from theft for fear of being caught, but because such thoughts and actions are banished as we are filled with the Spirit. The Spirit instructs us not to steal, but to work so that we may provide for ourselves and others (Eph. 5:28).
(4) Are we truly filled with the Spirit if we fail to control our temper? Among the fruit of the Spirit are "peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness" and "self-control" which will not allow bitterness and wrath to control us if we are filled with the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). One filled with the Spirit will put away "all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing" in order to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving as the word commands (Eph. 4:31-32).
(5) Are we truly filled with the Spirit if we engage in fornication and uncleanness? The God who gave us the Holy Spirit calls upon us to abstain, not limit, but abstain from such things. It should not even be named among us (Eph. 5:3). Such action will keep us out of heaven, according to the Spirit (Eph. 5:5).
(6) Are we truly filled with the Spirit if our speech contains the filthiness of curse words, dirty jokes or otherwise foul language? Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34). The mouth of one filled with the Spirit cannot spew forth such filth. The Spirit instructs us to replace such vile speech with giving of thanks (Eph. 5:4).
(7) As husbands, are we truly filled with the Spirit if we fail to show loving leadership which looks first to the wife's needs and seeks her honor? As wives, is a rebellion to God's order which rejects the responsibility of subjection consistent with a Spirit-filled life? As children, can we be filled with the Spirit without obeying and honoring our parents? As fathers, are we filled with the Spirit if we berate our children to the point of wrath or despair? Are we truly filled with the Spirit if we treat those in the workplace with contempt or fail to do our jobs? All of these are addressed clearly by the Spirit (Eph. 5:22-6:9).
(8) Are we truly filled with the Spirit if we fail to pray at all times? No, because the Spirit places prayer as a continual necessity in our lives (Eph. 6:18).