Ephesians 5:18-21; 1 Corinthians 6:19

Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-21)

Have you been filled with the Spirit? As a Christian, there’s no doubt that you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

But are you allowing yourself to be continually filled? That is, do you see God the Holy Spirit transforming you from the inside out, to the extent that God’s transformation of you is helping to transform others?

This is a command, because the extent to which you are filled with the Spirit has to do with the extent to which you are willing to open your heart in obedience to him.

Of course, if you have truly accepted Jesus as the Lord of your life, it’s inevitable that you will experience the work of the Holy Spirit.

There’s always room to grow, room to be filled even more, even to overflowing. The noted pastor and theologian A. W. Tozer gave four steps to help you receive the Spirit and His many gifts more fully into your life:

1. Present your body (that is, be willing to give up your whole self)
2. Ask (God doesn’t force you into relationship with Him)
3. Obey (live according to the Scriptures)
4. Have faith (Jesus has promised us his Spirit. We can have confidence we will receive him fully).

Heavenly Father, thank for the gift of your Spirit, who lives in me. Please, fill me with your Spirit, so that I can know you more and love others better. I give you all that I am, so I that I can be more like Jesus. It’s in His name and for His sake I pray. Amen.

For more inspiration about removing negativity from your life and filling yourself up with the Spirit, check out this week’s Chapel message.