God wants His people to be filled, not with self, but with Himself, “being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God,” and thus “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” To “be filled with the Spirit” means to be controlled by the Spirit, to be subject to His leading in all things. And He always leads us by the Word, not by our fickle frames and feelings, causing us “to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith … that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” When we are “filled with the Spirit,” it results in “speaking to [among] yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs … giving thanks always.” And the same results are seen being filled with the Word. “Be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” So, in order to “be filled with the Spirit,” “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” |