Pastor Ralph Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Q32. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezemeg Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 I believe that being 'filled with the Spirit' means allowing yourself to continually surrender everything to God as they are revealed to you by the Holy Spirit. Don't hold onto anything not of Christ just because you feel that it is 'harmless' or has some 'value' as far as this world is concerned. This is a continuing experience, unless we are willing to totally submit to God everyday, holding back nothing we do not remain 'Spirit filled'...we block the healing force of the Holy Spirit. To me, this is slightly different to being filled with the fullness of God, which happens after one has surrendered their own will to God. The Holy Spirit reveals one's weaknesses so that we can all repent of our wrongdoings and stand in righteousness before God. After we've surrendered our will completely, it is then that God's wonders are exhibited through us...in otherwords God uses our actions to display His overwhelming Love and Grace. It is not necessary that we understand the reason behind God requiring something of us, it is important only that we remain in the state of righteousness and are willing to be obedient when God calls us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken7 Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 The story is - at the Revival a church leader prayed; "Fill me Lord!" and someone yelled back; "Don't bother he leaks!". To be filled to Gods "Full Measure" is a sanctification process that will last my lifetime and still will not be complete. The key is - don't stifle this process with waste and too much inactive time - the clock is ticking. Gods gave me every gift when I first believed but to have a fresh touch - to open another door God wants into is a daily activity. It is also nightly for me ...God speaks clearly to my heart when I am quiet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tabatha Posted November 12, 2006 Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? I have ben off and on thinking about this question as it has so much to say. Yes I am filled with the Holy Spirit, but I am not filled with the fullness of God. It says in Col 2 : ( I have been given fulness in Christ . But Because I am Body , Soul, And Spirit. The Soul needs a lot of work. it also says over in 1 Peter 4 " As you come to Him the living Stone ... rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him-- you are also are , like a living stone , are being built into a spiritual house to be a Holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ. In A regular house furniture wears out it becomes torn has holes in it ,it breaks , it gets scratches, and in essence it needs to either be replaced or repaired. That is what the Holy Spirit is doing in us. He is cleaning us up from the inside out so God can continue to fill us with Himself We were created in His image which is His Spirit. As we submitt to the work of the Holy Spirit we will become more and more filled with God and become more like Him. That is the wonderful thing about Malachi 3: 1-3 and the refiners fire. It also say in ( 1 Peter 4 ) that we are a royal Priesthood. Here in Malachi It says the refiners fire will purify the Levites. who are priests. God is burning out the dross in us so He can have His rightful place in us in fullness That He may sit on the throne of our hearts. Being filled with the Spirit and the fulness of God is not the same thing Being filled with the Spirit is just the beginning of a life time of having the Spirit work out the fulness of God in us the So much of our flesh needs to be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit when we are "converted." The fullness is the amount of my life I am willing to let His Holy Spirit control me. Sometimes, it's more; sometimes, it's less. I sometimes get the "bug" to clean out a certain room in the house. I throw out stuff, rearrange other things, deep clean the area. The same is true for each area (room) of my life. There is a time to grow, to relinquish space to God, rearrange my time & priorities, & deep clean that certain area of my life to make it habitable for God to live in, fill & use. I want to know Him more intimately... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 Having the Spirit come to take up residence in your heart is a one-time experience at the moment of salvation. Nowhere does the Word say there's some 2-part process of receiving the Spirit. But being filled with the Spirit is a continual reality in the daily call to die to self so that the life and character of Christ might grow more and more in the believer. This progressive submission of body, mind, will, and emotions gives access and freedom for the Spirit to do His work of transformation in me. The Holy Spirit is united with my spirit, but my natural outer self is an unfit and unholy environment for God's fullness. His central goal is to gently expose my sins, lead me to repentance, cleanse me, and make me like Christ. Every time I study His Word, spend time communing with the Father in prayer, give up a desire of mine for one of His, choose to demonstrate love instead of anger, or offer Him praise in the face of great trial, I'm opening the door for the Spirit to move into another area of my life and fill it with Himself - bringing what's in my inner being through to my outer being. Less of me and more of Him is the method of filling. I guess I'd have to say the main thing required is obedience and release of control on my part. I really like the quote Pastor Ralph used: "Give all you know of yourself to all you know of God." Greater knowledge of Him should lead to greater love for Him that leads to greater submission to Him. I don't really see a reference in verse 16 to being filled with the Spirit. To me, it refers to the truth that the Spirit's presence within brings strengthening power. Verse 19 tells me that fully knowing the love of Christ is the key to being filled with that power (along with the holiness of God and all that is to be gained by His covenant promises) to whatever capacity is possible in a human vessel. The presence of the Spirit's power makes it possible to be filled with the fullness of all God has for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJeff Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 Ah, filled with the Spirit! A time when every thought is brought into captivity, and every emotion is under control of the Holy Spirit. When we are no longer a fleshly, lustful, human being, but a Spiritual being, totally and utterly at the service of our Blessed Redeemer, giving Him all the praise, all the glory, all the honor for only He is worthy. Alas, now it is for a moment. We return to our human state, having tasted of that which is to come. We continue forward, knowing more clearly of that which awaits and as we grow in the Lord, by continuing is His Word and allowing the fullness of God to gain dominion over our being, we become more Spiritual and preparing for the time when we will be Spirit filled for evermore. Amen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masika Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 Bibles says that Holy Spirit is the Spirit Of God or a part of trinity or triune of God. What a joy when God Himself comes and dwells in us, what a joy when God come and dwells in our fragile body. We have to be filled with Holy Spirit so that God can get control of our life. This should be life thing not just for a while or a season. Bible clearly says that a person who is saved or blood washed , a person whose sins are forgiven are eligible for this great exprerience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia A. Conti Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 To be filled with the Spirit is an ongoing reality. To study and learn more about our God, to continue to increase our knowledge about God and change our lives accordingly is a continuus process to be lived out, day after day. Only in this continued growing in God's Word and adjusting the way we live accordingly can we be filled with the fullness of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiqstart Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? I believe it is a never ending thing, and at times it just seems to be more evident. I find myself on a spiritual high during special events, however the Holy Spirit is always with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 To be "filled with the Spirit" means to allow the Holy spirit to have absolute/ total control of our hearts. This enables us to live by the power of the spirit, obey by the power of the spirit, love by the power of the spirit, forgive by the power of the spirit, etc. Without this, we cannot please God as the carnal nature in us will over power us and we will end up doing what we want and not what God wants. Being filled with the spirit is a continous experience requiring us to continuously be connected to the source of power through reading and meditating in the Word, talking to God, worshiping him (felowship). We will become 'deflated' whenever we disconnet ourselves from the source of power and thus become susceptible to fall into sin. To be "filled with all the fullness of God" we need to surrender our hearts fully to God. All known sins must be confessed, all grudges and resentments have to be tackled and forgiveness granted to whoever we are holding the grudges/ resentments against. He (God) has to have unlimited access to and control of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? It means opening your heart to The Spirit of God giving Him full rein through out you life letting Him make the changes that we as humans struggle with every day and never quit have the strength to change ourselves. I believe that it is an on going process as we learn through study to yeild to the Spirit He becomes more willing to make the changes that need to be made in us. As we struggle everyday with the sin in our life He is hindered in making those changes,but as we over come through prayer and study He can strengthen us to change in the areas that He knows we need to change. I believe it is differant in that the Spirit helps us in our relationship with God and as we become filled with the fullness of God then we become impowered to make changes ourselves,but till we surrender ourselves to God and the Spirit He can do no work in us. We all need the power of the Spirit to learn where the change need to come and have the strength to make that change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sahala p.s. Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? To be "filled with the Spirit" means having a process of sanctification of our whole lives from sins and selfishness, Holy Spirit permeate our entire being, Christ has access to and fill completely all the "room" in our "house". This is not a one-time experience but a continual reality. To be filled with the Spirit we have to unlock all doors of the room of our heart and let Christ come in and fill completely the entire room of our lives. It means we have to make all things of our lives: our value system, our habit, our conduct, our way in treating people, and our thought, be in harmony with or be aligned with the Word of God. It is not easy thing. It entails our full commitment, our readiness to pay the price and to bear the pain for it. It is the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? To be "filled with the Spirit" a person would have repented, invited Christ in to be Lord, they have surrendered to the Holy Spirit's guidance, who now dwells in them. Every believer is "filled with the Spirit." Being "filled with the Spirit" is to have our feelings, thoughts and purposes placed more and more under the control of the Holy Spirit so that He can manifest his power through us in greater measure. Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? Being "filled with the Spirit" is a one time experience but the work of the Spirit in the believer is a continuous process. What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? To be "filled with the Spirit" one must be born again. When we repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior we are "fillled with the Spirit." Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? Being "filled with the Spirit" is different from being "filled with the fullness of God." The later is the presence of God in the believer reflecting from our innermost being the character and stature that belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. The former state is explained above in answering the first part of the question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Rupert Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? What it means to be "filled with the Spirit" to me is not having that void exist inside of me. A feeling of completeness, a oneness with Christ. Knowing that he is in full control of all situations. Being able to communicate with God. Feeling a desire to know more about him, and nourishing on his word. The more you nurture the void it becomes full and grows into a mature fullness. I believe that the complete fullness of God will come when you are totally nourished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavenlymann Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 I think this is an ongoing, continual reality. To be filled with the Spirit is to not quench the Spirit(after having received Him thru salvation) but be led by Him more and more(sanctification process). To the degree we do this is the degree we experience the fulness of God more and more in our inner selves which is translated to our outer actions and demeanor. "(we) are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." II Corinthians 3:18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda bass Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Being "filled with the Spirit" means to be strengthened with power through His Spirit. Being "filled with the Spirit" is a one time process. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within those who accept Christ. However, the Spirit working in our lives is a continual,ongoing process. We become filled with the Spirit by repenting of our sins and accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord. We become "filled with all the fullness of God" when we are ready to allow Christ access into all areas of our life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 To have a changed heart and life. To change all your ways and have the power to resist evil. It is a continual reality and we must work at keeping it so.The Holy Spirit is always impartiing God's love to us and gives us joy, comfort and help. He gives us power to do the will of God and enables us to speak God's Word. We must have a sincere love for God and others, comprehend Christ's love for us so that God's presence reflects from our innermost being the character & statures that belong to Christ. Being filled with the Spirit and being filled with the fullness of God is baptism in the Spirit and must be maintaiined by prayer, witnessing, and a sanctified life worshipping God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCHRIS Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 I beleive its a continual reality, an ongoing working in one self for continual growing, loving, forgiving, in every aspect of one's life. As we pertain this I beleive the fullness of God will happen within us. As long one wants this to happen, some will take longer than others but thats because some have more rooms to clean out for the total fullness of God to happen and that maybe our entire lifespan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessed Me Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? It means to be strengthened daily by allowing the Holy Spirit work on our inner man. 2 Cor. 4:16 the inward man needs to be renewed day by day. To be "filled" means there is no more room, growth is complete. This is why Paul prayed this prayer "to be empowered with miraculous power, that is being filled with the Spirit" for it is by this power the process has begun, we can be changed. Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? No, I do not believe it is a one time experience. We receive the Holy Spirit when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like Jesus said, "the Spirit is with you, but He shall be in you. When? John 20 - following Jesus Resurrection, Jesus breathed on His disciples and said "receive the Holy Ghost." Then He said, "Now that the Holy Spirit is in you, go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Ghost to come upon you, for that is when you shall receive power" Acts 1:8 What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? By not quenching the Holy Spirit. 1Thes 5:20, Despise not prophesying. People quench the Spirit whenever they say, "The gifts of prophecy, tongues, healing, word of knowledge, and discernment of spiits are all irrelevant." For a person to be filled with the Spirit they must have "faith," deeply desire the power of the Spirit to come upon ones life. I will not quench the Spirit, I want to be filled, for it is by this power I will be able to become the person God desires me to be. I cannot do it on my own. If it were a one time thing, why are our churches filled with the weak? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? Matt 5:48 Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. I would say this is for sure a process, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His empowing work on our lives, will bring us closer to being filled with the fullness of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinkling Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? Be being filled..it's a continual experience.We are still in the world though not of it and so we daily and constantly have to work on being filled with Him,coz there all sorts of leaks , and potential leaks(weaknesses, harboured destructive emotions in us, dark experiences etc) Whatever happens, we must exercise( and by faith bcoz His Spirit dwells in us-His temples) the power of the measure of Him given unto us..we each have a measure of faith, the more you exrecise it, the stronger or deeper you get. Your actions(note: not reactions ) should speak of Him who lives in you and the measure of Him that you take in bcoz you cant get water out of an empty cistern, it must have some water in it already, and how dyu get that water...the things we read, watch,friends who influence us, personal habits(have them surrendered if they r wrong) the time we spend with the Holy Spirit in prayer and in the word--personal time..time spent in yo prayer/meditation/praise/worship chambers..we need to take time aside and be filled by Himself of Him so when yo cracks split open, you'll have Him pouring out...and some cracks may be thorns in the flesh( ever heard of a healing that will kill you..coz He knows you'll jst run back to that wrong thing..whatever it may be) "The fullness of the godhead body dwelleth in my soul and I am complete in Him.." continous process it is esp where it hurts(as in He'll start with those areas u don want any1 to touch coz they r either 2 onfusing or painful or dark) but he'll start with the vital areas and when we master and keep allowing him to bring to remembrance what he's taught us by obeying Him, then we will have the overflow and completeness.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helenmm Posted December 2, 2006 Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? To be filled with the Spirit means that all rooms are open, nothing hidden, the front door is wide open to Him and the house is waiting for its tennant! All rooms and accommodations (gifts, talents, loves etc) are available to Him and everything is clean and ready for His occupancy. Previous tennants have been vanquished and their mess obliterated. Redecoration has taken place in keeping with His preferences exactly as requested. Facilities have been updated (by constant prayer and study of scripture) and watch is being kept to see that they remain in top condition. The landlord (me), who loves and serves the tennant (The Holy Spirit) knows who He really is and stands in total awe of Him, knowing that He is the real Landlord of all things, and that s/he is actually answerable to Him. Besides which, they are passionately in love! This is a constant, long-term relationship in which the landlord cleans and refurbishes as the Tennant directs, while watching his house grow and his tentpegs expand, and other houses begin to be built for the Tennant. To be filled with the Spirit we have to enter into such a contract for preparation of the house and its maintenance and expansion. If the maintenance isn't done, the Tennant might leave the house and all will be lost. If we do our part of the contract, the tennant will certainly achieve the results He has planned and our eyes will boggle as we see the Kingdom growing, and find our job description changing and expanding along with His Kingdom. The adventure will astound us daily! If we are faithful we will be put in charge of more and more of His assets, and enjoy increasingly intimate relationship with our "Tennant". The Spirit and God are One indivisible, so this is the same thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelOnLine Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? It means that we have given ourselves over to Christ. We live through Christ and our lives are transformed. Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a continual reality. He is working through us helping us to be more like Christ. What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? We need to surrender our hearts and lives to God, confess our sins, and be born again. Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? God and the Holy Spirit are one, so it is the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymond Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Filled with the Spirit and filled with the fullness of God are one and the same thing. Both connotes sanctification and is a day to day surrender to God and constantly asking for His guidance in our every action. To be filled with the Spirit, we should study God's word with our whole being, contemplate on their meaning and special message for us, and most of all, pray for grace that God through the Holy Spirit would help us understand. I think I also need this kind of grace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candygoo58 Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Q3. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)? What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)? To fully know him. To remove the things that do not belong and to give our lives completely over to him to do as he wills in our lives. Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality? Its a day to day thing. We have to keep seeking him and his forgiveness each day to continue to be filled with his Spirit. What can we do to be filled with the Spirit? Repent of any sin in our lives and to live for him daily. Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" I think its the same. We can't know the fullness of God without his filling us with his Spirit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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