The Fullness of the Spirit
The words in Ephesians 5:18 are “Be filled with the Spirit.” There are four grammatical rules in the Greek language which lead us to four truths relative to this great subject.
First, the verb is the imperative mode. That is, it is imperative that we be filled with the Spirit. God commands it, and gives access both ways--By Him and by us. The fullness is the divine enablement in the life of a Christian which results in a Christ-like life. The fullness of the Spirit, if we are looking to please God in this life, can only happen in the beauty of holiness. Failure to be filled with the Spirit is sin and results in failure to live a life honoring to God. Access only makes everything you ask to do by Jesus who is head of the Church clearer.
Second, the tense of the verb is present, and this tense in the imperative mode always represents action going on. We learn from this that the mechanics of a spirit-filled life does not provide for a “spasmodic” filling that is, the Christian is not filled only when doing service such as preaching or teaching. This is a Christian living a normal life of moment by moment fullness of the Spirit. No Christian can do with less and at the same time live a victorious life. You can’t settle for being a copy of someone you like, thinking you will have the success.
Third, the verb is in the plural, which teaches us that this command is addressed, not only to the preacher, deacon, Sunday school teacher, the business man, the laborer, or the housewife, but to every Christian. It is the responsibility of every Christian to be always filled with the Holy Spirit.
Fourth, the verb is in the passive voice. This grammatical classification represents the subject of the verb as inactive but being acted upon. This teaches us that the filling of and with the Spirit is not a work of man but of God. We cannot work ourselves up to that condition by any amount of tarrying, praying, or agonizing. A simple desire for that fullness and a trust in the Lord Jesus for that fullness will result in that fullness of access. John 7:37-39—where the name for Artesian Well came from.
What is meant by the fullness of the Holy Spirit?
We find the answer in James 4:5, do you think that the scripture saith in vain, the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?” The word “lust” is an obsolete English word meaning “to earnestly desire.” The translation reads, “The Spirit who has taken up his permanent abode in us constantly and earnestly desires to the point of envy.”
Now, what does He desire even to the point of a divine envy? In Galatians 5:17, we read, for the flesh has a strong desire to suppress the Spirit, and the Spirit has strong desire to suppress the flesh, and these are firmly settled in an attitude of opposition to one another that you may not do the things, which you constantly desire to do.”
The constant desire of the fallen nature is to sin. The Holy Spirit is the divine provision against sin in the life of a Christian. The evil nature wishes to use the faculties of the believer for sinful purposes whereas the Holy Spirit desires to use them for God’s glory. The choice is with the Christian. He chooses which of the two will control his faculties. God does not use or force evil as a teacher. Thus the passage in James reads, in paraphrase, “The Spirit who has taken up His final abode in us, jealousy desires the whole of us.” Total and complete access at all times. Yielding to and dependence upon the Holy Spirit results in the Spirit putting down the evil nature in defeat and producing in the believer a life pleasing to God. Thus, the fullness of the Spirit refers to his control over the believer--By the believer's free will. Be you constantly filled with the Spirit of God—the head of all things.
Remember, Holiness is not just what you wear, or talk the talk on the outside, but listening to the Holy Spirit, allowing access into your whole spirit, soul, and body. You cannot resist the Holy Spirit and the unlimited access into the Word of God in you.
In Revelation 3:8-9 , Jesus talks about choosing Him, and says “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
I thank you for your continued viewing and reading. If this Blog and its contents has been a blessing to you, then I ask, with God's leading, that you consider supporting Artesian Well Church.
Artesian Well Church
Thank you for reading!
Pastor James P. Norman Jr
First, the verb is the imperative mode. That is, it is imperative that we be filled with the Spirit. God commands it, and gives access both ways--By Him and by us. The fullness is the divine enablement in the life of a Christian which results in a Christ-like life. The fullness of the Spirit, if we are looking to please God in this life, can only happen in the beauty of holiness. Failure to be filled with the Spirit is sin and results in failure to live a life honoring to God. Access only makes everything you ask to do by Jesus who is head of the Church clearer.
Second, the tense of the verb is present, and this tense in the imperative mode always represents action going on. We learn from this that the mechanics of a spirit-filled life does not provide for a “spasmodic” filling that is, the Christian is not filled only when doing service such as preaching or teaching. This is a Christian living a normal life of moment by moment fullness of the Spirit. No Christian can do with less and at the same time live a victorious life. You can’t settle for being a copy of someone you like, thinking you will have the success.
Third, the verb is in the plural, which teaches us that this command is addressed, not only to the preacher, deacon, Sunday school teacher, the business man, the laborer, or the housewife, but to every Christian. It is the responsibility of every Christian to be always filled with the Holy Spirit.
Fourth, the verb is in the passive voice. This grammatical classification represents the subject of the verb as inactive but being acted upon. This teaches us that the filling of and with the Spirit is not a work of man but of God. We cannot work ourselves up to that condition by any amount of tarrying, praying, or agonizing. A simple desire for that fullness and a trust in the Lord Jesus for that fullness will result in that fullness of access. John 7:37-39—where the name for Artesian Well came from.
What is meant by the fullness of the Holy Spirit?
We find the answer in James 4:5, do you think that the scripture saith in vain, the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?” The word “lust” is an obsolete English word meaning “to earnestly desire.” The translation reads, “The Spirit who has taken up his permanent abode in us constantly and earnestly desires to the point of envy.”
Now, what does He desire even to the point of a divine envy? In Galatians 5:17, we read, for the flesh has a strong desire to suppress the Spirit, and the Spirit has strong desire to suppress the flesh, and these are firmly settled in an attitude of opposition to one another that you may not do the things, which you constantly desire to do.”
The constant desire of the fallen nature is to sin. The Holy Spirit is the divine provision against sin in the life of a Christian. The evil nature wishes to use the faculties of the believer for sinful purposes whereas the Holy Spirit desires to use them for God’s glory. The choice is with the Christian. He chooses which of the two will control his faculties. God does not use or force evil as a teacher. Thus the passage in James reads, in paraphrase, “The Spirit who has taken up His final abode in us, jealousy desires the whole of us.” Total and complete access at all times. Yielding to and dependence upon the Holy Spirit results in the Spirit putting down the evil nature in defeat and producing in the believer a life pleasing to God. Thus, the fullness of the Spirit refers to his control over the believer--By the believer's free will. Be you constantly filled with the Spirit of God—the head of all things.
Remember, Holiness is not just what you wear, or talk the talk on the outside, but listening to the Holy Spirit, allowing access into your whole spirit, soul, and body. You cannot resist the Holy Spirit and the unlimited access into the Word of God in you.
In Revelation 3:8-9 , Jesus talks about choosing Him, and says “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
I thank you for your continued viewing and reading. If this Blog and its contents has been a blessing to you, then I ask, with God's leading, that you consider supporting Artesian Well Church.
Artesian Well Church
Thank you for reading!
Pastor James P. Norman Jr
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