Some believe that being “filled with the Spirit” is about having a certain spiritual gift like tongues or prophecy. They imagine being “filled with the Spirit” to mean getting more of God’s Spirit, a second blessing, or an extra anointing. But Ephesians is clear that being “filled with the Spirit” is simply knowing the love of Christ and being inspired by His great love (Ephesians 3:19; 5:18-21).

No, all believers are baptized into the Spirit at salvation when we believe. At that time, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3), and we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). We are complete in Christ, and we do not need anything more than what we already have in Him.

Walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) is simply trusting Christ in you to produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Walking by the Spirit should not be confused with being “in” the Spirit, which refers to salvation. All Christians are always in the Spirit (Romans 8:9), even though we don’t always walk by the Spirit.

Some believe we can get more of God’s Spirit over time. However, God has given every believer the Holy Spirit in full (John 14:23). This means there is no need for a second portion or second blessing from the Holy Spirit. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, and we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4; Ephesians 1:3).

Some believe the gift of tongues involves a heavenly prayer language for the purpose of talking to God and/or edifying one’s own self. But Scripture teaches us that tongues involves sharing the Gospel in foreign (human) languages for the purpose of evangelism (Acts 2:8). 1 Corinthians 14 is actually encouraging believers not to abuse their missionary gift of tongues by bringing it into the church service and speaking in a mysterious way that only God understands.

The gift of prophecy is one of the most misunderstood topics in Christianity. Many believe prophecy is future-telling or speaking secret truths of God. However, Scripture defines the gift of prophecy as God equipping someone to share the truths of the Gospel for the purpose of “edification, exhortation, and consolation” (1 Corinthians 14:3).

Some teach the decision to abide (live) in Christ is ongoing for Christians. They say we must work or try to abide in Christ every day. However, Scripture is clear that believers always abide in Christ (1 John 2:24; 2:27; 3:6, 9). Sure, we are learning and growing in our understanding, but we don’t have to try to abide (live) more in Christ. We live in Him forever!

Perhaps you’ve heard the teaching that you need to “get closer” to God through various spiritual practices. But this is not Scripturally accurate! When we believed in Jesus, we became one with Christ. We were made one spirit with the Lord. In fact, the entire Trinity comes to take up residence inside of us (1 Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 1:14; Romans 6:5; John 17:23). You can’t get any closer to God than that! So, while we’re still learning and growing in our understanding, we’re in union with Christ and as “close to God” as we’ll ever be!

Christians often believe they need to “decrease” in order for Jesus to increase in their lives. Maybe they think their “self” gets in the way of God’s plans. So, should it be more of Jesus and less of you? Actually, no. This is a misapplication of John the Baptist’s statement “He must increase, but I must decrease” in John 3:30. When John the Baptist uttered those words, he was referring to his ministry fading out, because the ministry of Jesus had arrived. God never intended those words to be twisted into a “more of Jesus, less of me” theology for today. Because we are new creations, we can be ourselves and fully express Jesus at the same time – with no conflict.

While many believe that the Bible says God won’t give us more than we can handle, this actually isn’t what Scripture teaches. Sure, God won’t let us be tempted beyond what we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). But it is clear that we will encounter circumstances in this world that are beyond what we can bear: “We were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). The reason God allows circumstances that are beyond our strength to endure is so that we can learn to depend on the indwelling life of Christ even more.