The Holy Spirit (6) Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18)
 
Review
We’ve been talking about the Holy Spirit for the last few weeks. Over the past two Sundays, we looked at the various symbols of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not someone we can see with our eyes. That is why the Bible uses many symbolic images to help us understand who the Holy Spirit is, what He does, and how He works in believers’ lives.
 
The first symbol is wind. This represents the Spirit’s guidance and the power He bestows upon us. Wind is invisible, yet we can clearly feel its presence and see its effects. In the same way, the Holy Spirit leads us into God’s will and empowers our lives with His mighty presence.
 
The second symbol is fire. This symbolizes the purifying and passionate work of the Spirit. Like fire, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives to burn away all our weaknesses, fears, and impurities. He purifies and renews us. Moreover, His fire kindles a burning passion within us so that we long for God’s Word and boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ with holy zeal.
 
The third symbol is water. This represents the cleansing, satisfying, and life-giving ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that whoever believes in Him will have rivers of living water flowing from within them. This living water refers to the Holy Spirit whom He would send.
 
When we are filled with the water of the Spirit, it washes away all impurity, quenches our thirsty souls, and gives us strength to live out our  faith. Just as a tree planted by streams of water yields its fruit in season and its leaves do not wither, so also the one who is filled with the life-giving Spirit will bear the beautiful fruit God desires in a close relationship with Him.
 
The fourth symbol is anointing oil. In the Old Testament, those chosen by God—especially kings, priests, and prophets—were anointed with oil. The furnishings of the tabernacle were also anointed to consecrate them as holy. In the same way, the anointing of the Holy Spirit affirms that we are God’s chosen people and sets us apart to fulfill His calling with holiness.
 
In the sanctuary, there was a lampstand with seven lamps. One of the key duties of the priest was to ensure that the fire on the lamps never went out. In order to do so, the people of Israel had to continually bring pure oil.
 
The flame in the lamp could only keep burning if there was oil. In the same way, the passion and fire that the Spirit ignites in our hearts can only continue through the constant anointing of the Holy Spirit. Like the five wise virgins who brought extra oil for their lamps while waiting for their bridegroom, we too must always be prepared, praying earnestly to be filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit until Jesus comes back as He promised.
 
The fifth symbol is the dove. The dove reflects the gentle nature and the pure, holy character of the Holy Spirit. It also refers to life and reconciliation. When God judged the world with water in Noah’s time, Noah sent out a dove to see if the floodwaters had receded. The dove returned with a fresh olive leaf in its beak, signaling that God's judgment had passed. In this way, the Holy Spirit reconciles us to God and brings us new life.
 
The sixth and final symbol is a seal. A seal signifies ownership, official certification, and protection. The sealing of the Spirit confirms that we are God’s people and guarantees our salvation.
 
Our salvation is not yet fully complete. Though it begins by faith, it will only be accomplished when Christ returns and we stand before His judgment seat, are declared righteous, and are clothed in His glorious resurrection body. We are now in the process of working out that salvation with hope for that day.
 
Then how can we be assured of our salvation? That assurance cannot come from ourselves. Only the One who gives salvation can also give assurance of it. This is precisely the role of the Holy Spirit.
 
As Paul says, “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession…” (Eph. 1:13–14).
 
When we stumble in our weakness and sin, and our assurance as God’s children begins to falter, the Holy Spirit comes to testify with our spirit that we are indeed God’s children. Because He is always with us, even in our weaknesses, mistakes, and failures, we can live boldly and confidently as children of God, secure in the assurance of our salvation given by the Spirit of God.
 
Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
This is what we have been learning over the past two weeks about the Holy Spirit. Now, I want us to think about how we, as Christians, can live in a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Whenever we speak about the Holy Spirit, there is one word that is often closely associated with Him: “fullness.”
 
Being filled with the Holy Spirit was central to the ministry of Jesus and His disciples. Luke tells us that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led into the wilderness for forty days, where He was tempted. Luke 4:1 says,
 
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” (Luke 4:1)
 
On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues and preach the gospel as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4 says,
 
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:4)
 
In Acts chapter 3, Peter healed a man who had been lame from birth at the gate of the temple. As a result, many gave glory to God. In chapter 4, the religious leaders arrested and interrogated the apostles for that.
 
When the high priest asked Peter by what power or in whose name he had done this, Peter was not afraid. Rather, he boldly testified to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This boldness came from being filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:8–10 says,
 
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.’” (Acts 4:8–10)
 
In Acts 7, when Stephen was surrounded by a hostile crowd, he wasn’t alone because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. As they stoned him to death, he looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at His right hand. Acts 7:55 says,
 
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55)
 
This gave him the strength to remain faithful even unto death.
 
As we can see from these passages, all of Jesus’ and His disciples’ ministry was empowered by being full of the Holy Spirit. And this is the same for us who believe in and follow Jesus today.
 
In Acts chapter 2, Peter preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and many believed in Him on that day. And to those who believed and repented, Peter said that if they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38–39)
 
This promise was not only for them, but for us as well. We can also be filled with the Holy Spirit and receive His gift when we believe in Jesus Christ. That’s the relationship we’re to have with the Holy Spirit.
 
Paul said in Ephesians 5:18, let’s read it together again,
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18)
 
Then, what does it mean to be filled with the Spirit, and how can we experience it? That’s the main point of today’s sermon.
 
In this verse, Paul draws a comparison between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Holy Spirit. There is a commonality between the two.
 
Have you ever seen people who are completely drunk? What happens when someone is completely drunk? Their behavior changes—they stagger when they walk, they slur their speech, and they don’t even know what they’re saying. In extreme cases, they lose control of themselves, which is extremely dangerous.
 
There is a saying in Korea, “At first, a person drinks alcohol, but later, the alcohol drinks the person.” This means that initially a person seems to be in control of their alcohol consumption, but soon the alcohol takes over them.
 
Of course, today’s message is not about drinking. However, this illustration shows us what a Spirit-filled life looks like. To be filled with the Holy Spirit means to be entirely under the Spirit’s influence, direction, and control. It means living not according to our own desires and will, but being fully surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
 
When we are filled with the Spirit, He transforms every part of our lives more and more into the likeness of Christ. Our words, actions, and lifestyle begin to reflect Jesus.
 
This is what we call the influence of the Holy Spirit. Influence means to be affected or changed by someone or something. A few weeks ago, we discussed how the Holy Spirit is a personal Being with intellect, emotion, and will—just like us. When we are filled with the Spirit and come under His influence, His truth shapes our minds, His will becomes our own, and we grow sensitive to God’s emotions—His joys and sorrows. What pleases God becomes what brings us joy. What grieves God becomes our grief as well.
 
This is what happens when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit.
 
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit vs. Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
 
Now, let’s think more deeply about what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. To understand this fully, we need to consider a related concept: the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
 
The fullness of the Holy Spirit is a concept distinct from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Spirit is a once-for-all event. It begins when we believe in and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
 
The apostle Paul said,
“No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12:3)
 
This means that anyone who sincerely confesses Jesus as Lord already has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. Paul also said,
 
“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (Rom 8:9)
 
Jesus Himself spoke about the Holy Spirit dwelling in the lives of believers.
 
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.” (John 7:38–39)
 
Paul further taught that every believer’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This is because the Holy Spirit dwells in all who confess Jesus as the Lord.
 
Paul said, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1Co 3:16)
 
This indwelling of the Spirit begins the moment we put our faith in Christ and never departs. The Holy Spirit does not come and go. From the moment we first have faith in Jesus, He is with us forever and never leaves us.
 
Then we may ask, if the Holy Spirit is already dwelling within us, why do we need to continually pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What is the difference between the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit?
 
The answer lies in relationship. The fullness of the Spirit is a relational term. Yes, the Holy Spirit is within us, but the quality of our relationship with Him is another matter entirely.
 
Two people can be in the same space and still not have a good relationship. A husband and wife may live in the same house, and when their relationship is good, the home becomes the most joyful and secure place on earth. But when conflict arises, that same house can feel like the most uncomfortable and painful place to be.
 
Our relationship with the Holy Spirit is very similar. He has been dwelling in us ever since we first confessed Jesus as Lord. But now, the important question is this: What kind of relationship are we cultivating with the Holy Spirit who dwells in us?
 
Imagine someone you love constantly ignoring or avoiding you. That would be deeply painful. Then, how grieved must the Holy Spirit be when we ignore or disrespect His presence in our lives?
 
Paul warned, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30)
 
We must not grieve the Holy Spirit. He is God with us as our Parakletos—our Advocate and Helper—who walks with us to preserve our faith and lead us in holiness until the day of our final redemption.
 
When we are indifferent to the Holy Spirit's presence within us, when we are unwilling to hear his voice, when we ignore our relationship with him, the Holy Spirit within us is grieved.
 
Then, what would happen when we continually grieve and ignore Him? Paul gives another warning:
 
“Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Th. 5:19)
 
Here, the Greek word translated as “quench” is sbennymi (σβέννυμι), which means “to extinguish,” like putting out a fire. As we learned before, one of the key biblical symbols of the Holy Spirit is fire. He comes to us as fire. We must not let that fire go out. Instead, we are to continually seek the Spirit’s anointing so that His fire keeps burning in us.
 
But, if we intentionally neglect the Holy Spirit and repeatedly ignore His presence, that fire will eventually be extinguished. Though the Spirit still dwells in us, we will no longer sense His presence or feel His power. That’s not because He has left us—but because we have hardened our hearts to Him.
 
The Holy Spirit desires a close relationship with us, but He will not force it upon us. If we resist His influence, He will not override our will. He works through our will. This is why we must continually seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit through prayer, surrender, and obedience.
 
When Paul said, "Be filled with the Spirit" (Eph 5:18), the Greek phrase for "be filled" is plērousthe, which is the present passive imperative form of the Greek verb plēroō (πληρόω). I know it sounds difficult but let me explain.
 
The fact that the verb is written in present passive imperative form reveals three important truths about being filled with the Holy Spirit.
 
First, the fact that this verb is in present tense indicates that being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but something that must be continuous in our daily lives.
 
Second, because it is in the passive voice, it means that this filling is not something we can accomplish by our own efforts, but something that happens to us by the work of the Holy Spirit.
 
Third, since it is an imperative, it is a command, which means that all Christians are called to seek the fullness of the Spirit every day.
 
In Greek, combining the present tense and passive voice expresses an ongoing, repeated activity. That means being filled with the Holy Spirit is not something we receive once and for all—it is a state we must continually pursue throughout our lives. The fact that we have a good relationship with the Spirit today does not guarantee that we will have the same relationship tomorrow. Therefore, we must remain alert in prayer daily, enjoying a close personal relationship with the Spirit and living a life filled by Him.
 
Today, I want us to reflect on our relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit already dwells within all believers. But how close are you to Him? Is He perhaps grieving within you? Have you ignored Him for so long that it feels as though the fire of the Spirit has been extinguished in your heart? Let us repent and once again ask for the fullness of the Spirit.
 
Jesus said, “Everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened… If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:10, 13)
 
May this Word be fulfilled among us today. The Lord wants to give us the Holy Spirit much more than we want to receive it. So if we’re not filled with the Holy Spirit, it is not because He is not giving it to us, but because we are not asking for it. Today, I want us to ask for the Holy Spirit even more earnestly, so that we all may live a life filled with the Holy Spirit.
 
All right. Let me share one more thing about being filled with the Holy Spirit. When you think about being filled with the Holy Spirit, what image comes to your mind first?
 
We often picture the fullness of the Spirit as a cup being filled with water—starting from the bottom and gradually rising until it is full. While this image is not entirely wrong, it doesn’t fully capture what the Bible teaches about being filled with the Holy Spirit.
 
To be more precise, being filled with the Spirit is not about the Spirit gradually filling our empty spaces. It is more about how immersed we are in His ever-flowing river.
 
The Holy Spirit does not come to us in portions—half or more or less. He is not divisible. When we think of the Spirit in such a way, we are treating Him as a force or an energy rather than a person.
 
The Spirit dwells within us, complete in His being. Therefore, the important question is how deeply we have immersed ourselves in His presence.
 
God gave the prophet Ezekiel a vision of the temple. The front of the temple faced east, and from its threshold flowed water that ran toward the south.
 
God led Ezekiel across this river, and this is what we read in Ezekiel 47:3–6.
 
“As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was waist-deep. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in--a river that no one could cross. He asked me, ‘Son of man, do you see this?’ Then he led me back to the bank of the river.” (Ezk. 47:3-6)
 
The angel measured a thousand cubits (about 0.28 miles) each time, and each time the water got deeper—first ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then waist-deep, and finally so deep that Ezekiel could no longer walk across but had to swim.
 
This vision is about the life-giving water that flowed from the temple. Jesus said that streams of living water would flow from within those who believe in Him. That river is the Holy Spirit, and since the Spirit dwells in all believers, we can understand this passage in relation to being filled with the Spirit.
 
The progression from ankle-deep to knee-deep, waist-deep, and fully submerged symbolizes the stages of how deeply we experience the Spirit's presence in our relationship with Him. The deeper we go, the less we are led by our own will and the more we are moved by the current of the Spirit.
 
When the water is only ankle-deep, we can still easily walk in our desired direction. But as the water reaches our knees and waist, it becomes harder to walk as we please. And, when we are fully submerged, we can no longer move in our own direction—we are carried by the river’s flow.
 
This is what our lives would look like if we immersed ourselves deeper in the river of the Spirit. The ankle stage could be described as having a superficial faith. Although we attend church and listen to sermons, we still prioritize our own will over God's. Outside of Sunday services, we live our lives regardless of God's will.
 
The knee stage is a deeper faith. Our worship continues throughout the week. We spend time in prayer and the Word of God. However, we still struggle to obey completely. There is an ongoing battle between following our own will and God's will.
 
The waist stage involves personal transformation. Our old sinful ways of life begin to die, and we grow to resemble Christ more. We are filled with His love and begin to live as He lives within us.
 
The final stage—fully submerged—describes the life completely filled with the Holy Spirit. Our desires, plans, and ambitions fade, and we live completely under the Spirit’s control. This doesn’t mean we lose ourselves. Rather, we recover our true selves—the image of God that He created us to be.
 
This is the life Jesus and the apostles lived. This is the maturity we are to pursue as Christians. God wants us to become more like Jesus and reach the fullness of Christ. And this is impossible without us being filled with the Holy Spirit.
 
So now, let’s reflect on our faith and our relationship with the Holy Spirit in light of this Word. The river of the Spirit is flowing through our bodies, the temple of God. How deeply have you immersed yourself in this river? Has the water only reached your ankles? Let us not be satisfied with that.
 
We can never experience the true joy and glory God wants to give us when we are at the water's edge. It is only when we are fully immersed in the living water of the Holy Spirit, when we are living a life led entirely by the Holy Spirit, that we can truly experience the fullness of joy God intends for us.
 
And when we’re completely immersed in the living water of the Holy Spirit, that joy and vitality will overflow within us, restoring and renewing those around us as well.
 
Ezekiel’s vision continues,
“When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. He said to me, ‘This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.’” (Ezk. 47:7-9)
 
When we’re filled with the living, life-giving water of the Holy Spirit, it revives what is dead and causes every kind of living thing to flourish. When we are filled with the Spirit, not only we but also those around us will experience the life God offers and be drawn to it.
 
That’s the kind of life we’re called to live! So let us immerse ourselves in the river of the Spirit today. Let’s earnestly pray that we may not grieve or quench the Spirit within us, but instead be filled with Him again. As we ask, seek, and knock, our Father will surely fill us with the Spirit, as He promised. Let’s pray.
 
Prayer
Loving and gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us about the Holy Spirit through Your Word today.
 
Thank You for giving us faith and for making us Your temple when we believe, and for pouring out Your Spirit like a river.
 
Lord, today we look again at our faith and our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Are we still hesitating at the ankle level? Are we lingering at the knees? Are we standing waist-deep, unable to fully let go?
 
Lord, we want to go deeper. Let us surrender ourselves to the river of the Spirit and dive completely into Your holy depths. Let us not live by our own will, emotions, or desires but fully obey the leading of the Spirit, so that Your life may flow through our lives.
 
Pour the river of the Holy Spirit, which revives even the Dead Sea, upon our dry hearts, our fading faith, and our church once more. Make us come alive again and fill us anew. Reign over our thoughts, emotions, and plans. Lead us according to Your will. Make us more like Jesus and sanctify us by Your Spirit.
 
May You alone be glorified through our holy lives.
We pray all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
  
[Reflection Questions]
1. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit dwells within you? How do you know? What’s the difference between the indwelling and the filling of the Holy Spirit?
 
2. If the Spirit already lives in you, why do you think being filled with the Spirit is still necessary? What specific steps can you take this week to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
 
3. In Ezekiel’s vision of the river (ankle-deep, knee-deep, waist-deep, fully immersed), where do you think you are spiritually right now? Why do you see yourself there? What is currently holding you back from going deeper into the Spirit’s presence? What do you think your life would look like if you were fully immersed in the flow of the Holy Spirit?