The next command in the present tense is “be filled with the Spirit” (v 18), or literally, keep on being filled with/ controlled by the Holy Spirit, not only on Sunday or during devotion time, but always and perpetually. A drunkard is controlled and under the influence of alcohol, which causes him to lose his self-control, easily fall into temptations, and give himself up to immoral behaviour. On the contrary, when we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, He will produce in us His good and spiritual fruit of “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance/self-control, righteousness and truth” (Gal 5:22-23; Eph 5:9).
Charismatic leaders today arrogantly claim that they may ask or tell the Holy Spirit to do what they desire, even to heal the sick or perform miracles. The truth is not so, we can never control the Holy Spirit nor ask Him to do what we desire.
On the contrary, we are to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit and His will (1 Cor 12:11). The Holy Spirit is the Author of God’s Word the Bible, so when we say that we are submissive to the Holy Spirit we must be submissive to His Word as well. Many are deceiving themselves by thinking that they are spiritual and filled with the Holy Spirit while their lives are contrary to God’s Word! My dear friends, it is foolish to be controlled by our sinful nature, Satan or anything in this world. Then are you and I always controlled by the Holy Spirit and His Word with our full submission?
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