How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
🌱 HOW TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST
📖 Key Scriptures
Acts 10
John 14:26
1 Corinthians 2:13
Romans 14
Colossians 3
Ephesians 5
If you are a Christian, then you need to be filled with the Holy Ghost. The question is: how? How can you be filled with the Holy Ghost? Is it hard? This is a fundamental part of the Christian faith—it’s not optional. You cannot do anything for God unless you’re filled with the Holy Spirit. You cannot represent God.
You may carry out Christian activities, but without the Holy Spirit, you’re only putting your body into action—your spirit is not in the work. He who sees, sees the Holy Spirit. You cannot be a Christian without the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus and the Holy Ghost are inseparable.
So, are you truly a Christian?
There are Christians by name, and then there are Christians by truth and in spirit. Which one are you?
The Holy Spirit is not a visitor; He is a permanent resident in the life of the true believer.
Jesus said in John 14:17:
“He lives with you now and later will be in you.”
The Command to Be Filled
“Do not be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit…”
— Ephesians 5:18 (NLT)
God doesn’t issue spiritual suggestions—He gives commands. One of those commands is this: be filled with the Holy Spirit. It’s not optional. A Spirit-filled life is not a luxury; it’s the Christian’s normal life. Anything less is living beneath the inheritance Christ died to give us.
If we are not filled, we are living beneath the table prepared for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5).
As Psalm 23:5 declares, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…” That table is the fullness of God’s presence, and it’s available for you daily.
Two Experiences with the Holy Spirit
1. The Holy Spirit Within Us
This happens when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. God breathes His Spirit into us.. This is the first experience, received at salvation:
“And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
— John 20:22
At that moment, the disciples were born again. The Holy Spirit came within them, just as He comes within us when we believe:
“When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”
— Ephesians 1:13
This is when we are sealed with the Spirit as a mark of ownership.
The first experience gives us a new spiritual life, a conscience that is sensitive to God’s voice. This inner witness helps us build a Christian character. But this is not enough for kingdom work.
This internal presence regenerates us, convicts us, and begins to build the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). But for ministry, for spiritual warfare, and for walking in supernatural authority, we need more.
2. The Holy Spirit Upon Us
This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit—the second experience. The empowerment for divine assignment, spiritual warfare, preaching, healing, prophecy, signs and wonders
“Stay in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”
— Luke 24:49
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…”
— Acts 1:8
Though the disciples had already received the Spirit in John 20:22, they were commanded to wait in Jerusalem for power. This shows us that being born of the Spirit and being baptized in the Spirit are distinct.
What the Holy Spirit Does in Us
🌱 The Spirit Within:
- Develops godly character
- Seals us for salvation
- Sustains a holy life
- Helps us resist sin
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” — Galatians 5:22–23
🔥 The Spirit Upon:
- Empowers us with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7–11)
- Enables us for ministry
- Releases healing, prophecy, and deliverance
- Demonstrates signs and wonders
> “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power…” — Acts 10:38
What Stops Us from Being Filled?
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear…”
— Galatians 5:19
The Holy Spirit cannot fill a vessel already full of: - Pride - Jealousy - Lust - Anger - Gossip - Greed - Unforgiveness
“Do not quench the Spirit.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Every time we act against the Word, we limit the Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives.
Meditation: The Key to Being Filled
Prophet TB Joshua says:
Meditation is different from thinking. Thinking is about your problems. Meditation is divine—it’s about heaven. You can talk to people while meditating. That’s how spiritual people live. You can even greet people while your heart is meditating.
Keep your heart engaged. Say, “Thank You, Jesus” in your heart. That’s how I live. That’s how I stay connected.
You don’t wait for emergencies before calling Jesus. You don’t say, “Jesus, help me” only when you are in trouble. You should be saying, “Thank You, Jesus” at all times. Speak to your heart.
The best prayer is from the heart—when your heart is connected with God. That’s true prayer. All other prayers are secondary. Meditation is the highest form of prayer because it engages your heart fully with God.
You can meditate while walking, working, sitting. That is how you occupy your heart with God and prevent it from being distracted.
How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
1. You must prepare your heart. Empty Yourself:
– free from offense, full of forgiveness.
“He must become greater; I must become less.” — John 3:30
Before God can fill you, you must release everything that’s not of Him.
2. You Must honor and reverence the Word: Obey God’s Word
The Spirit will be released to to the degree or proportion you reverence His Word.
“If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.” — John 14:15
God releases His Spirit to those who walk in obedience.
3. You Must desire to be filled
It doesn’t happen automatically.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…” — Matthew 5:6
4. Cultivate Godly Character.
“The fruit of the Spirit is…” — Galatians 5:22–23
Your character is the vessel. Build love, peace, patience, and humility as a foundation before seeking gifts and power.
5. You must prepare a spiritual “home”
Your Life must be clean and ready.
6. You must be grounded in the Word
The Spirit reminds you of what you’ve read, so give Him something to work with.
7. Wait in Your “Jerusalem”
Your Jerusalem is the secret place where God builds your inner life. Wait there. Don’t rush ahead of God’s timing.
Possession by the Holy Spirit
Prophet TB Joshua says:
Are you ready to be possessed by a Spirit that is like Jesus?
Yes, I said possessed. There are two types of possession: demonic and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to possess Christians—He wants to take over your life, lead you, teach you, purify you, make you gentle and loving.
Do you want to be possessed by someone who is like Jesus?
If so, start living today as if it were your last day on earth. That’s how urgent this is.
The Dangers of Power Without Character
God may give spiritual gifts, but without the fruit of the Spirit, those gifts can become dangerous. We’ve seen too many fall because power came before preparation.
Even Jesus waited 30 years before beginning His ministry. So must we.
How Do You Know You Are Filled?
- You speak with grace and truth.
- You think with a renewed mind.
- You respond with wisdom and gentleness.
- Your prayers carry power.
- You resist sin effortlessly.
- You hunger for the Word and worship.
Final Thoughts
The Holy Spirit wants to possess you, to guide you, to lead your life. He wants to live in your heart. But He will not enter where He is not welcome. Make room for Him.
Say:
“Take more of me, give me more of You.”
“Locate me in Your mercy.”
“Locate me in Your favor.”
Remember, without the Holy Spirit, you cannot obey God’s Word. So stop carrying the Bible as a tradition. Let it become your life, powered by the Spirit of God.
Make this your daily prayer:
“Lord, empty me of myself. Fill me with more of You. Let Your Holy Spirit be Himself in me.”
You don’t earn the Holy Spirit—you yield. And when you do, He fills you to overflowing.
Let God’s Spirit flood your life, and watch how you begin to walk in victory, purpose, and divine authority.
Let this blog stir your spirit. Share it with someone who needs to hear this today, and continue your walk with God in deeper intimacy at www.spiritworshipgen.org.
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Published by SpiritWorshipGen – A Generation of Spiritual Worshippers