Holy Spirit-Filled Life

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

Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, created a booklet for sharing the gospel called 'The Four Spiritual Laws.” He also created a lesser known booklet called “The Spirit-Filled Life.”

I heard Dr. Bright explain that if he were sitting on an airplane between two individuals, one non-Christian and one Christian, he would first address the Christian. He thought it more important to help the Christian reach their potential by being filled with the Holy Spirit. And then address the need of the non-Christian to take advantage of the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Personal Bible study, Dr. Bright's booklet, plus Billy Graham's book and A.W. Tozer's book have been most helpful in figuring out the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. Graham wrote The Holy Spirit Tozer wrote How to Be Filled With the Holy Spirit.

Graham's book presents a solid overview of the work of the Holy Spirit in my life including gifts of the Holy Spirit and fruits of the Holy Spirit. I recommended it as a starting place, along with your own personal Bible study.

Preparation to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

Tozer explains how to prepare to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Its not rocket science. Its just a matter of choice.

To be filled with the Holy Spirit:

Step 1. I must have received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.

Step 2. I must desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Step 3. I must be willing to obey the Holy Spirit before I can be filled.

Step 4. I must ask the Holy Spirit to fill me. (Luke 11:13)

Step 5. I must believe that the Holy Spirit has filled me.

This is the beginning of the process. I only need to start the process one time. After that, I apply the . . . .

Spiritual Breathing Principle

Bright explains a concept he calls spiritual breathing. I use this principle often. As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I still do things that displease Him. When I become aware of one of these areas, I need to deal with it. That is where spiritual breathing comes in. I don't have to beat myself up because I have sinned. I don't have to let Satan beat me up and tell me what a terrible Christian I am.

I know I am going to sin. Sometimes several times a day. But I can deal with it when it happens.

I can exhale: confess my sin to God.

Then I can inhale: surrender control of that area of my life to Christ.

I like the illustration of breathing. Breathing is natural: inhale and exhale, hundreds of times a day without even thinking about it. Its simple. Its necessary. A few minutes without breathing and I would be dead.

Spiritual breathing is much the same. It becomes natural after I have practiced enough. Confess my sin to God Ask Him to take control of my life. Its necessary. If I don't confess my sins and ask God to fill me, I will not be able to accomplish His will for my life. A short time without spiritual breathing and I will be spiritually dead.

Practical discipleship tips on confessing

Putting It All Together

1. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit came to live in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16)

2. I can not lose the Holy Spirit. I can quench Him. (1 Thessalonians 5:19) I can grieve Him. (Ephesians 4:30) But I can not lose Him.

3. I need to make one big decision to let the Holy Spirit fill me. (Ephesians 5:18)

4. I need to say many little “yeses” to the Holy Spirit through spiritual breathing. (1 John 1:9,10)

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