Paul has commanded believers to be "filled with the Spirit." He did this in Ephesians 5:18. How are we supposed to do this? What must we do to let the Holy Spirit fill us?

We must be Christ-centered. Jesus Christ must be the focal point of our thoughts and aspirations. In all that we do, we must be conscious of following His example and doing His will. The Holy Spirit derives great pleasure from seeing us cooperate with Him in glorifying Christ. He keeps Himself out of the limelight so that Christ may be honored. He views us as partners With Him in glorifying Christ.

We must be in the Word. The Christian who wants to be Spirit-filled should be spending time in God’s word. His mind must be so filled with its truths that Bible passages automatically come to mind when he encounters the situations of life. If you want to be a Spirit-filled Christian, you must give the Bible ample room in your life by reading it, studying it, and reflecting on it. The Scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself.

We must be submissive. A person who keeps letting the Holy Spirit fill him will consciously, continuously, and voluntarily place himself under God’s influence or control. He will not lose self-control, but when a Christian submits to God, he is freed from slavery to the sinful habits and drives that once controlled him. The Holy Spirit can keep filling you when you place yourself under the authority of the Bible, when you humbly confess your sins, and when you submit to others as an expression of your love for God.

We are called to be confident. When you have centered your life on Jesus, when you are in the Word and it is in you, and when you have submitted to the Spirit’s leading, you can know that you have done your part. After doing that, you can be absolutely sure that God has done His part. He has responded to you by filling you with His Spirit. This confidence will help you live day-by-day in the assurance that you are Spirit-filled. It also produces spiritual victory over temptation and sin.

Our Daily Bread – February 1, 2005