Filled with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 commands us to be

But what does it mean? It means to be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit so that every area and corner of our lives is completely saturated with the life and power of Christ! It means to be so completely yielded to and empowered by the Spirit of the Living God that His very Being is manifested and displayed through our own!

It is crucial to understand that we are being influenced continuously by at least three spiritual forces, each seeking to possess our lives. These are

It is important to continuously be aware which of these forces is controlling our minds, hearts and wills!

It is not difficult to discern whether you are possessed by the Spirit of God, Satan or the Sin Nature. Anytime you are influenced by a spirit that causes you to doubt or disobey God, you can be certain it is not God's Spirit who controls you! More than likely, it is your Sin Nature, though even it can be influenced to some degree by Satan or demons. In the extreme case, people can actually be possessed by demons!

Satan or our Sin Nature will produce in us a lifestyle of independence from God. It is a lifestyle based on a love for Self and dedicated to fulfilling the lusts of our flesh, eyes and egos. Don't be surprised if this results in a religious or even spiritual lifestyle, but it will be a religion or spirituality that glorifies Self and not the True God! A Life under the control of Satan or the Sin Nature will manifest the "works" of the flesh, and be self-absorbed, self-centered and self-serving.

The Spirit of God will always produce a genuine Love for God and for others. When filled with God's Spirit, our minds will hunger for the Truths of God's Word, our hearts will yearn to fulfill God's Desires and our wills will delight to do God's Will. There will be produced in us the very character of God through the fruit of His Spirit! If you find any character quality that contradicts those of the Spirit, you can be sure its source is not God! The deep desire in you to glorify God is God's Spirit alive in you living through your regenerated spirit!

1. Fill Your Mind with the Truth of God and His Word!

2. Train Your Heart to Desire the Things Conforming to the Truth of God and His Word!

3. Train Your Will to Do the Things Conforming to the Truth of God and His Word!

Whenever you find yourself Thinking, Feeling or Doing anything ... anything ... contrary to the Truth of God and His Word, Stop Immediately and Reject those Thoughts, Feelings or Actions, for their source is not of God! By Faith ...set your Mind and Heart on Heavenly things, and conform your Will to God's Will through Obedience! Allow your New Self, reborn with God's own Nature, to Think, Feel and Do those things pleasing to God, in which it truly delights!