Pastor Matt's Blogosphere

Being Filled With The Holy Spirit

Did you know that being filled with the Holy Spirit is not something you can do? I'm not saying it's impossible for this to happen to you, I'm saying that it's not something you can do! There's a big difference really. You see, in Ephesians 5:18 we are told to not be drunk with wine but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is interesting to note that both verbs (one used for not getting drunk and one used for being filled with the Holy Spirit) are passive verbs. While we are commanded to not do one thing and then do the other, it is in the passive state. Understand that alcohol becomes a controller and makes you drunk. While, you must drink the alcohol, it is actually the alcohol that makes you drunk. Thus the passive verb. Now understand that being filled with the Holy Spirit is not something you can do. It is a passive verb and means that God fills us with the Holy Spirit. Unlike what many groups teach, it is not something you can go grab ahold and say "It's mine!" Yes, you must yield your life to God so that He may "fill" (we'll discuss the meaning of this word on another post) you with the Holy Spirit, but remember He is doing the filling not you!

Okay, I'll write more later on concerning the aspect of "fill" and what it really means.