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Ephesians 5:18 - Controlled and Powered by The Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 (NLT) Don't be drunk with 
wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, 
let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.  

INTRODUCTION

True communion with God is not induced by 
drunkenness but by the Holy Spirit. Paul is not speaking 
of the Holy Spirit's indwelling (Rom. 8:9) or 
the baptism by Christ with the Holy Spirit (1 
Cor. 12:13), because every Christian is indwelt 
and baptized by the Spirit at the time of 
salvation. He is rather giving a command for believers 
to live continually under the influence of the 
Spirit by letting the Word control them, pursuing 
pure lives, confessing all known sin, dying to 
self, surrendering to God's will, and depending on 
His power in all things. Being filled with the 
Spirit is living in the conscious presence of the 
Lord Jesus Christ, letting His mind, through the 
Word, dominate everything that is thought and 
done. Being filled with the Spirit is the same as 
walking in the Spirit. [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   When we think of being filled with the 
Spirit, we often relate it to an emotional 
experience or a feeling of euphoria. But in reality, 
the word filled could be translated "controlled 
by." It is a word that speaks of what happens 
when the wind fills the sails of a boat and 
guides it along. So God is saying that we are to 
let His Spirit fill us and control our lives. 
   Another interesting thing about this word 
is that in the original language, it's in a 
tense that speaks of something that should be done 
continually. So you could translate this sentence, "Be 
constantly filled with the Spirit." This isn't a 
one-time event. Instead, it is something that takes 
place again and again, just as we repeatedly fill 
the gas tanks in our cars to keep them running. 
God wants to refill us with His Spirit. It is a 
great thing to say each day, "Lord, fill me with 
Your Spirit.... Lord, fill me once again." You 
may have an emotional experience, or you may 
not. But that has very little to do with the 
reality of being filled with and controlled by the 
Spirit. 
   One other thing about this phrase from 
Ephesians 5:18 is that it's a command, not a 
suggestion. The Scripture isn't saying, "If it works 
with your schedule, if you don't mind, would you 
please consider maybe letting the Holy Spirit fill 
and control you?" No, in Ephesians 5:18 God 
commands us - orders us - to be filled with the Holy 
Spirit. 
   He knows very well that an intimate 
relationship with Himself will bring us the greatest 
fulfillment and happiness in our lives that we could 
ever know. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Ephesians 5:18 - Filled With The Spirit.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201006-1027.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor: 
https://www.revelationnow.com/ 

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: 
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657