Be Filled with the Spirit

“I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NKJV)

How do we know if a person is fi lled with God’s Holy Spirit? What should we look for? We cannot see the way God sees, and we may not come to a proper conclusion. However, God does give us wise counsel. We are to look at the fruits of his or her life. Galatians 5:22-23a (NKJV) says: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

A fruit tree is an example. While the sap is fi lling the tree, you and I may not notice much difference—we may not even know what kind of fruit tree it is until the fruit appears. Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) says, “Walk in the Spirit.” This is the continual submission to God that will result in fruit bearing of the Spirit through you. Receiving the power of the Spirit (or the anointing, as it is sometimes referred to) is not possible without submission to the Lord.

There are no short cuts—it is still dying to the old self life and being led by the Spirit of God. Jesus said, “I am the Vine.” If the branch is detached from the main source of its water supply, it will wither. So it is with the believer. You cannot live a victorious Christian life, or help others to know the Lord, unless you abide (live close) to Jesus Christ.

Spirit-led Paul was concerned about his walk with the Lord. First Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV) says: “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualifi ed.” Paul was not thinking of being lost again but being disqualifi ed in his service for the Lord.

Lord, I want to be filled with your Spirit. Please teach me.

– Bill Jackson