Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

The hour is closer than any of us think. Are we ready?

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the last piece of advice the Apostle Paul gives to make sure we’re ready to get the most out of life knowing that our time is limited.

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18 NKJV)

Artificial stimulants, whether the stimulant is alcohol, drugs, sexual promiscuity, gambling lead to addiction, excess, and reckless living. They bring temporary relief or pleasure, but in the end they damage rather than cure.

The reason we are tempted towards these artificial stimulants is because we’re not filled with the Spirit. We’re not getting our basic internal needs met in our relationship with God, so we seek out other things to fill the need.

We need to be filled with the Spirit. We need God. We need God to saturate our beings with His love, peace; but most importantly with Himself. When that’s not happening there is a spiritual and emotional vacuum that make us vulnerable.

To be fully satisfied and fulfilled we must be filled with the Spirit, and then we’ll possess the power of God to face what’s ahead. Jesus said,

“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49 NKJV)

There is a beautiful connection between these three directives Paul gives us in how we are to live our lives knowing that the hour is closer than we expect or think. How can we live wisely this next year?

Be alert to the opportunities God gives and make the most of them. We do that when we understand the Lord’s will for our lives. And we’ll best understand God’s will when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.

The hour is indeed closer than any of us think. Are we ready?