As individual believers in Christ, we all share a mutual cooperation with the Holy Spirit in carrying everything life brings, the achievements and accomplishments as well as the difficulties and dilemmas. Both in the Old Testament and especially in the New Testament, we see the nature, characteristics, movements, and the Person of the Holy Spirit in operation. He is known as a Helper, Comforter, Guide, Teacher, Intercessor, and the Spirit of Truth. He will not only enable us to live a powerful Christian life, but will support us in bearing the burdens of life (John 14:16-17).
When Jesus called us to receive the Holy Spirit, He describes the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John 14, 15, and 16 as a Helper or Comforter. When you think of a comforter, you think of someone who takes us into their arms when we feel hurt, weary, or beaten down by life, who makes us feel better. The Holy Spirit ministers in that capacity. Jack Hayford suggests the primary idea of the word “comforter” is this: God comes beside us to work in us, in ways that will bring through us things that could never be otherwise (Romans 8:26).
The word “likewise” in this scripture indicates the continuation of Paul’s argument in the previous verses, showing the sustaining power of God that is available for the believer as we wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies. In the same way, Paul says, the Spirit “helps” us in our weaknesses. The word “helps” indicates He takes hold together with us against our weaknesses, feebleness of mind or body, moral frailty, infirmities, sickness, or circumstances of life.
When Jesus called us to receive the Holy Spirit, He describes the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John 14, 15, and 16 as a Helper or Comforter. When you think of a comforter, you think of someone who takes us into their arms when we feel hurt, weary, or beaten down by life, who makes us feel better. The Holy Spirit ministers in that capacity. Jack Hayford suggests the primary idea of the word “comforter” is this: God comes beside us to work in us, in ways that will bring through us things that could never be otherwise (Romans 8:26).
The word “likewise” in this scripture indicates the continuation of Paul’s argument in the previous verses, showing the sustaining power of God that is available for the believer as we wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies. In the same way, Paul says, the Spirit “helps” us in our weaknesses. The word “helps” indicates He takes hold together with us against our weaknesses, feebleness of mind or body, moral frailty, infirmities, sickness, or circumstances of life.
The Holy Spirit as a Promised Gift
After Jesus is resurrected and before His ascension, He tells His disciples to wait for “the promise of the Father,” referring to the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4). On the day of Pentecost, in explanation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter preaches the Gospel of Christ to the crowds, and people are cut to the heart (Acts 2:32-39). The Holy Spirit is a Promised Gift given to the believer and to the Church.
Jesus has entrusted His Gospel to men and women and then empowered them with His Spirit to be His witnesses both in word and deed. So, what Peter is saying is this: This outpouring of the Spirit is not a special blessing for a special few in a special age. It is for all who have truly repented and believed the gospel. It is for all who have found remission of sins in the blood of Jesus.
With the gift and promise of the Holy Spirit, He will:
The real question is not whether as a Christian you have a right to the gift of the Holy Spirit, but whether you have claimed that right and availed yourself of this promise.
Jesus has entrusted His Gospel to men and women and then empowered them with His Spirit to be His witnesses both in word and deed. So, what Peter is saying is this: This outpouring of the Spirit is not a special blessing for a special few in a special age. It is for all who have truly repented and believed the gospel. It is for all who have found remission of sins in the blood of Jesus.
With the gift and promise of the Holy Spirit, He will:
- Re-fuel you due to a time of sustained service to others.
- Recover you due to a time of sustained pressure that has come against you.
- Refill you for continued life and ministry as a member of the body of Christ.
The real question is not whether as a Christian you have a right to the gift of the Holy Spirit, but whether you have claimed that right and availed yourself of this promise.
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Refueling, Recovering, and Refilling
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul expresses a negative exhortation (what believers are to stop doing) along with a positive command (what believers are to start doing). Whereas wine can control the mind and ruin one’s judgment, leading to iniquity, in contrast with this, being “filled with the Spirit” leads to self-control along with the other fruits of the Spirit.
This phrase “be filled with the Spirit” is linked with the preceding verses (Ephesians 5:15). “Walk” is made up of steps, and every step carries weight and consequence. It speaks to the whole round of life’s activities. In the scriptures we are told to walk in newness of life, walk after the Spirit, walk in honesty, walk by faith, walk in good works, walk in love, walk in wisdom, and walk in truth. Then we are told to walk not after the flesh, walk not after the manner of men, walk not in craftiness, walk not in the vanity of the mind, walk not disorderly, and walk not by sight.
The idea is this: We cannot walk successfully in life with wisdom and power without being filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul is saying: When it comes to your life, destiny, and purpose, do not be a time waster. Do not miss the opportunities that will come by. Why? Because the days are evil. They are chock full of pressure and difficult circumstances (Ephesians 5:16).
Without the indwelling and fullness of the Spirit, the pressures around you will begin to shape and conform you to its image rather than the image of Jesus (Romans 12:1-2). Now, being filled with the Holy Spirit is not automatic. It is something that is received subsequent to salvation, as evidenced in Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, and 19. For example, the 120 in the upper room were already saved, then they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). Paul came to Ephesus and found some disciples who had not yet received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6).
The greatest problem about being filled with the Holy Spirit is this: Millions of people receive an initial experience with being filled with the Holy Spirit but many never abide in it. The original Greek text is translated “Keep on being filled.” This is a present imperative, a command in the present moment (Ephesians 5:18). The initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place in Acts 2 with 120 in the upper room (Acts 2:4). Peter and John heal a beggar at the Gate Beautiful (Acts 3:6). The context is created for Peter to preach the Gospel and over 5,000 people believe. The religious leaders get upset with Peter and John and hold them in custody until the next day. The next day they questioned them, threatened them, and commanded them not to speak or teach in the Name of Jesus and then released them. They go back to their friends, report what the chief priests and elders said, and begin to pray (Acts 4:29-31). Notice they were filled in Acts 2 and refilled in Acts 4.
With the gift and promise of the Holy Spirit, He will re-fuel you due to a time of sustained service to others, recover you due to a time of sustained pressure that has come against you, and refill you for continued life and ministry as a member of the body of Christ.
This phrase “be filled with the Spirit” is linked with the preceding verses (Ephesians 5:15). “Walk” is made up of steps, and every step carries weight and consequence. It speaks to the whole round of life’s activities. In the scriptures we are told to walk in newness of life, walk after the Spirit, walk in honesty, walk by faith, walk in good works, walk in love, walk in wisdom, and walk in truth. Then we are told to walk not after the flesh, walk not after the manner of men, walk not in craftiness, walk not in the vanity of the mind, walk not disorderly, and walk not by sight.
The idea is this: We cannot walk successfully in life with wisdom and power without being filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul is saying: When it comes to your life, destiny, and purpose, do not be a time waster. Do not miss the opportunities that will come by. Why? Because the days are evil. They are chock full of pressure and difficult circumstances (Ephesians 5:16).
Without the indwelling and fullness of the Spirit, the pressures around you will begin to shape and conform you to its image rather than the image of Jesus (Romans 12:1-2). Now, being filled with the Holy Spirit is not automatic. It is something that is received subsequent to salvation, as evidenced in Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, and 19. For example, the 120 in the upper room were already saved, then they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). Paul came to Ephesus and found some disciples who had not yet received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6).
The greatest problem about being filled with the Holy Spirit is this: Millions of people receive an initial experience with being filled with the Holy Spirit but many never abide in it. The original Greek text is translated “Keep on being filled.” This is a present imperative, a command in the present moment (Ephesians 5:18). The initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place in Acts 2 with 120 in the upper room (Acts 2:4). Peter and John heal a beggar at the Gate Beautiful (Acts 3:6). The context is created for Peter to preach the Gospel and over 5,000 people believe. The religious leaders get upset with Peter and John and hold them in custody until the next day. The next day they questioned them, threatened them, and commanded them not to speak or teach in the Name of Jesus and then released them. They go back to their friends, report what the chief priests and elders said, and begin to pray (Acts 4:29-31). Notice they were filled in Acts 2 and refilled in Acts 4.
With the gift and promise of the Holy Spirit, He will re-fuel you due to a time of sustained service to others, recover you due to a time of sustained pressure that has come against you, and refill you for continued life and ministry as a member of the body of Christ.
The Holy Spirit as the Power Source for Life and Ministry
The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to replicate the life of Jesus in the believer. The heart of Christ for us receiving the fullness of the Spirit is so that we might receive the same power source for everyday life and service that Jesus had in His life and ministry.
When Jesus stepped into humanity to live among us as one of us, He emptied Himself by taking on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6-7). He did not empty Himself of His divine nature. He was still divine like His Father.
When He took on humanity, He became functionally subordinate to the Father for the period of the incarnation. He took on certain limitations imposed by humanity. He could only be in one place at one time. His physical body got weak and He needed to rest and sleep. He needed food to sustain His strength.
Due to the fact that He emptied Himself and took on the limitations of humanity, He needed to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The supernatural ability, gifting, and power source you see in the life and ministry of Jesus is the power and ability of the Holy Spirit (John 3:34; Matthew 12:28; Acts 10:38).
So Jesus lived and operated in ministry by the Spirit of God and wants the believer to have that same power source for our life and ministry (John 14:12; 16:7). Through the members of His Body, He can reach further than He could when He was physically on this planet.
The fullness of His Spirit is given so Jesus can replicate Himself in and through His people. Just like the agitator in your washing machine wreaks havoc on dirty clothes, separating it from the dirt and grime it has attracted from being out in the world, so the Holy Spirit, when we are saved and filled, begins the process of gently agitating our lives in order to remove the stains we have acquired from the world.
Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The reality is we do not have what it takes to flavor or illuminate this world with the things of God without the fullness of His presence and power in our life (Matthew 5:13-14).
Every river that sustains life will always have an outflow that feeds a larger body of water and an inflow for replenishment. If there is no outflow or inflow, you don’t have a river, you have a swamp. And swamps cannot sustain life. God does not want you to be a swamp. He wants you to become a flowing river.
These waters are not just for you. The Holy Spirit will birth a passion in you to reach those who have yet to believe (John 7:38).
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17). The will of the Lord for humanity is for all to come to saving faith through Jesus Christ and for us to deliver His message (2 Peter 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; John 4:35; Matthew 9:35-38).
When Jesus stepped into humanity to live among us as one of us, He emptied Himself by taking on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6-7). He did not empty Himself of His divine nature. He was still divine like His Father.
When He took on humanity, He became functionally subordinate to the Father for the period of the incarnation. He took on certain limitations imposed by humanity. He could only be in one place at one time. His physical body got weak and He needed to rest and sleep. He needed food to sustain His strength.
Due to the fact that He emptied Himself and took on the limitations of humanity, He needed to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The supernatural ability, gifting, and power source you see in the life and ministry of Jesus is the power and ability of the Holy Spirit (John 3:34; Matthew 12:28; Acts 10:38).
So Jesus lived and operated in ministry by the Spirit of God and wants the believer to have that same power source for our life and ministry (John 14:12; 16:7). Through the members of His Body, He can reach further than He could when He was physically on this planet.
The fullness of His Spirit is given so Jesus can replicate Himself in and through His people. Just like the agitator in your washing machine wreaks havoc on dirty clothes, separating it from the dirt and grime it has attracted from being out in the world, so the Holy Spirit, when we are saved and filled, begins the process of gently agitating our lives in order to remove the stains we have acquired from the world.
Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The reality is we do not have what it takes to flavor or illuminate this world with the things of God without the fullness of His presence and power in our life (Matthew 5:13-14).
Every river that sustains life will always have an outflow that feeds a larger body of water and an inflow for replenishment. If there is no outflow or inflow, you don’t have a river, you have a swamp. And swamps cannot sustain life. God does not want you to be a swamp. He wants you to become a flowing river.
These waters are not just for you. The Holy Spirit will birth a passion in you to reach those who have yet to believe (John 7:38).
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17). The will of the Lord for humanity is for all to come to saving faith through Jesus Christ and for us to deliver His message (2 Peter 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; John 4:35; Matthew 9:35-38).
The Holy Spirit’s Gift of a Spiritual Language
Finally, when you are filled, the Holy Spirit will give you a spiritual language that produces unending prayer and praise that exalts Christ, breaks evil bonds, and builds up believers. This language transcends your natural ability to pray and will lead you to extended times of prayer and praise as it builds up your own spirit. Why pray in tongues? For spiritual edification (1 Corinthians 14:4), for praying the perfect will of God (Romans 8:26-27), for stimulating your faith (Jude 20), for praying beyond your intellect (1 Corinthians 14:14), for drawing out the hidden counsel of God (John 7:37-39), for giving thanks (1 Corinthians 14:15-17), and for speaking directly to God (1 Corinthians 14:2).
With the gift and promise of the Holy Spirit, He will re-fuel you due to a time of sustained service to others, recover you due to a time of sustained pressure that has come against you, and refill you for continued life and ministry as a member of the body of Christ.
With the gift and promise of the Holy Spirit, He will re-fuel you due to a time of sustained service to others, recover you due to a time of sustained pressure that has come against you, and refill you for continued life and ministry as a member of the body of Christ.
Reflection Questions
- How have you experienced the Holy Spirit refueling, recovering, or refilling you in times of weakness or challenge, and what difference did it make in your life?
- What does it mean to “keep on being filled” with the Holy Spirit, and how can you ensure that you are continually open to His refueling, recovering, and refilling work?
- How can the Holy Spirit’s refueling, recovering, and refilling power enable you to be a witness for Christ in your everyday interactions, and what might hinder you from relying on this power?
Action Step
This week, set aside intentional time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to re-fuel, recover, and refill you with His power and boldness. Reflect on an area of your life where you need His strength, whether due to service, pressure, or a desire to reach others, and invite Him to work through you to reflect Christ’s love and power.
Memory Verse
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)
This week, set aside intentional time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to re-fuel, recover, and refill you with His power and boldness. Reflect on an area of your life where you need His strength, whether due to service, pressure, or a desire to reach others, and invite Him to work through you to reflect Christ’s love and power.
Memory Verse
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)
For more on this topic, listen to our message The Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit, Part 1:
Posted in Prayer and Intercession, Spiritual Growth and Maturity
Posted in Holy Spirit, Spiritual Growth, Refilling, Empowerment, Prayer
Posted in Holy Spirit, Spiritual Growth, Refilling, Empowerment, Prayer
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