How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
Maturity in the Christian life does not mean trying harder. The New Testament points us somewhere better.
“And do not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
Being filled with the Spirit is not about getting more of Him. This is not a feeling; it is a filling, and it’s very relational. The Holy Spirit is not a power or a substance; He is Christ in us. To be filled with the Spirit means making room for Him to influence us. It is increasingly placing ourselves under His influence. It is trusting Him enough to submit to His leading.
This is not a passive thing. It’s not mystical either.
It is supernatural. It is also very personal and relational.
He is with us. We trust. We allow Him to work through our lives. He works.
Paul’s command in Ephesians 5:18 is a daily and ongoing submission of the heart—”keep on being filled with the Spirit.”
How do we carry that out? We are not in charge of God’s Spirit. No, but we can make room for His influence through faith, humility, and submission.
Faith: Believing He is right here, right now, and fully capable of handling your need.
Humility: Admitting you can’t do this and relying on Him instead.
Submission: Putting yourself under His direction and letting Him call the shots.
“… Do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:13).
And what does His influence produce?
Love.
The fruit of the Spirit is deeply relational: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22–23).
These are not private spiritual achievements; they are ways God loves people through us.
The same is true of spiritual gifts.
The Spirit gives gifts, not for our own gratification, but so we can become useful to others.
“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
Teaching.
Encouragement.
Serving.
Giving.
Administration.
Helps.
Whatever gifts He gives, He gives for the good of the body, the church (Romans 12:6–8).
And if you haven’t already discerned your spiritual gift, that discovery usually happens in the church through humble service.
Show up.
Love people.
Meet needs.
Stay connected.
Serve where there is need.
The Spirit often reveals our gifts while our hands are already busy serving. It is often affirmed by those who’ve benefited from your service.
So don’t wait until you feel especially spiritual. Trust that the Spirit of Christ is present in you. Yield to His influence, allow Him to work in your life, and let your faith become visible through love.