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…………. What does the term "full of the Holy Spirit" mean? What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the fullness of the Holy Spirit? Writing to the Ephesians, Paul said, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). Here Paul draws a contrast between two things - a person who is filled with wine and a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit. The person who is filled with alcohol is controlled or dominated by alcohol. Its presence and power have overridden his normal abilities and actions. He is under the influence of alcohol. However, the Christian who is controlled by the Holy Spirit is under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Whatever he does, he does it with the help of the Holy Spirit, not with his own strength and ability.
…………. Any Christian who is not filled with the Holy Spirit is a defective Christian. He is weak and fallible. He is easily tempted and trapped by the evil one. He lives a life that is full of carnality and his way displeases the Lord.
Paul exhorts Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 5:18. This verse contains a negative and a positive command. The first is, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess" and the second is "but be filled with the Spirit." The negative command is "be not drunk" with wine. Paul did not forbid the drinking of wine (1 Timothy 5:23; 3:3; Titus 1:7). He said, "Do not be intoxicated" or "Do not be filled" with wine.
Lovingly in Christ, Colin
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