"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 5:15-21, ESV)

1. What is being filled with the Spirit?

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise," (Ephesians 5:15)

"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17)

"…but be filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)

Being filled with the Spirit, unlike alcohol, doesn't make you brave and happy or courageous and joyful by showing you less of reality, but by showing you more of reality!

"O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." (2 Kings 6:17a, ESV)

"…the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:17b)

When you are filled with the Spirit, it doesn't mean you forget about all your troubles, instead, it gives you an intense understanding of the truth of who God is and what He is doing in the world.

2. How do we know if we are filled with the Spirit?

A Spirit-filled person doesn't walk around denying the evils of the world and the outside pressures, but at the same time, while there is a sense of realism, there is also an overwhelming sense of joy.

A Spirit filled with the Spirit:

A. Constantly talks about God to others (v. 19)

"addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart," (Ephesians 5:19, ESV)

B. Gives thanks to God for everything in the name of Jesus (v. 2)

"giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," (Ephesians 5:20, ESV)

C. Submits to one another (v. 21)

"submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 5:21, ESV)

"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." (John 13:14-16)

3. How do we become filled with the Spirit?

What does it not mean:

Paul is not saying that some Christians are empty and they need to acquire something they don't already have.

"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8:9-10, ESV)

What it does mean to be filled with the Spirit:

A literal translation of the verb "be filled" in Ephesians 5:18 would read something like "by being kept filled"

This word Paul uses for "filled" conveys the sense of domination or total control.

How do you allow yourself to be dominated by the Spirit?

You must be controlled by His Word.

To be controlled by His Word, you must be in His Word regularly.

Then, you will know the Truth and obey the Truth.

That is when you are Spirit-filled.

Do you want to be filled with the Spirit?

The best way is to keep in step with the Spirit by knowing and obeying His Word.

It is impossible to be filled with the Spirit apart from His Word.

We cannot be filled with ourselves and the Spirit at the same time.