Filling of the Spirit

(Some of Tozer’s Thoughts)

 

            This Sunday we will be looking at Ephesians 5:18. This passage, and especially this verse, is key to understanding what the command to be “filled with the Spirit” means. Let’s take a few moment s and read this verse in several different translations. Then reflect along with A.W. Tozer on the filling of the Spirit. Sunday we are planning on looking at “What is the Filling of the Holy Spirit?”  And then “How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? ”

 

Ephesians 5:18

ESV - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit

CSB- And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit

NLT- Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit

NIV- Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit

The Message - Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him

 

Here are A.W. Tozer’s thoughts:

 

After a man is convinced that he can be filled with the Spirit he must desire to be.To the interested inquirer I ask these questions: Are you sure that you want to be possessed by a Spirit Who, while He is pure and gentle and wise and loving, will yet insist upon being Lord of your life? Are you sure you want your personality to be taken over by One Who will require obedience to the written Word? Who will not tolerate any of the self-sins in your life: self-love, self-indulgence? Who will not permit you to strut or boast or show off? Who will take the direction of your life away from you and will reserve the sovereign right to test you and discipline you? Who will strip away from you many loved objects which secretly harm your soul?

Unless you can answer an eager “Yes” to these questions you do not want to be filled. You may want the thrill or the victory or the power, but you do not really want to be filled with the Spirit.…

Before there can be fullness there must be emptiness. Before God can fill us with Himself we must first be emptied of ourselves.

 

See You Sunday,

 

Pastor Byron