THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE SPIRIT-FILLED PERSON

This is the last in a series of blog posts on the Holy Spirit.  These are messages I have shared with the local assembly God has placed us in.  I pray they were a blessing to you.

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:18-6:9

In my last blog post I wrote about how to be filled with the Spirit. We discussed how we should stop grieving the Holy Spirit, stop quenching the Holy Spirit and start walking in the Spirit. But what about the changes this makes in daily life? How can we recognize a Spirit-Filled person? What areas of life are affected by walking in the Spirit? That's what I want to address in this blog post.

Let's look, first of all, at the Spirit-Filled person and his/her worship (Vs 18-21). Look at the comparison – Be not drunk with wine. Paul contrasts being drunk with wine, which produces a temporary “high” to being filled with the Spirit, which produces lasting joy. Think about it, a person who is drunk is not under their own control. He staggers, he slurs his speech, his judgment is impaired. What Paul is saying is Be under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Being under the control of the Holy Spirit makes all of life an experience in worship.  Worship in the heart creates an attitude of praise. People worship in different ways. Some are more expressive in their worship. They lift their hands. They verbally praise and sing praises to God. Some worship in a more quiet way. There may be tears flowing down their face. They worship from the heart and are not as outwardly expressive in their worship style. Some prefer the old hymns while others prefer praise and worship music.

I want to emphasize there is no right way or wrong way to worship. The important thing is to worship. Worship should be free. In true worship, desire for God to have His way is evident. Thanksgiving and praise are dominant.

Now let's take a look at the Spirit-Filled person and his/her spouse (Vs 22-23). The Spirit-Filled life is most evident at home. It's been said, “The perfecting of the home is the masterpiece of the Gospel”. We tend to dislike that word “submit” because there's been so much wrong teaching about it. It doesn't mean becoming a doormat. It means putting the interests of others ahead of our own. Submission cannot be required by one person of another. Submission is given on the basis of love and trust. Wives are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. Let me clarify – the wife who is submitted to her husband is not a robot. Neither does she discard all her natural abilities and talents.  One of her greatest joys, however, is in ministering to her husband. His happiness is important to her. Husbands are to love their wives as Jesus loved the church. This is a sacrificial love – an enduring love. It's a love that is shown and expressed often. One of his greatest joys is in ministering to his wife. Her happiness is important to him.

These are two powerful principles that can revolutionize your home. These two things affect the entire family. Submission is rarely a problem in homes where both spouses are in a strong relationship with Jesus and where each is concerned for the happiness of the other.

Lastly, let's look at the Spirit-Filled person and his work (Vs 6:5-9). The Spirit-Filled worker does his work with all diligence. He overcomes laziness and boredom. He does his work as to the Lord, not to men. He should do his job as if Jesus was his supervisor. You should be trusted in any job you do to do your best whether or not the boss is around.

The Spirit-Filled employer treats employees as he would want to be treated. Treat them fairly and with respect. Treat them as you would want the Lord to treat you. Let Jesus be exalted in the work place by both employers and employees.

The Spirit-Filled life is all inclusive. Like the old chorus says, He's all I need! The Holy Spirit provides everything you need. In daily living, this demands full surrender. We need to submit daily to His leading and draw on His power.

I pray this series of blog posts on the Holy Spirit has been a blessing to you as well as an encouragement to you on your journey with Jesus.

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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