Being constantly filled with the Holy Spirit

The subject today is vital for you as a disciple of Christ. He wants you to grow stronger and stronger day by day. It is not human strength or strength of mind that will cause you to become a strong believer and a mature disciple. As a disciple you are totally dependent on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God as your spiritual diet. When you realise your dependency on the Spirit, you will make sure that you continually make room for him in your life.

Being baptised in the Holy Spirit is only the entrance into a life of being continually (re-)filled with the Spirit. We live the Christian life ‘by the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:16). Without the presence and blessing of the Spirit all human effort will be fruitless.

God’s word says that we should not be drunk on wine because that leads to debauchery. We should rather drink of God’s Spirit and be led by him because the Spirit-filled life is secure and good.

…be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18)

…those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom. 8:14)

When we are continually being filled with the Holy Spirit, he will fill us with his love and joy, which will gradually become a part of our nature. In this way the Spirit creates good fruit in our lives as God’s word says:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Exercise:

Is the fruit of the Spirit visible in your life? How?

What will you do to make progress in this area?

How would you explain the necessity of baptism in the Holy Spirit to a completely new Christian?

How would you help a new Christian to be baptised in the Spirit?

Continue to memorise the previous Bible verses and add this one to your list:

For in the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and we were all made to drink of the one Spirit. (2.Cor.12:13)