“AND THE DISCIPLES WERE FILLED WITH JOY AND WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT” ACTS 13:52
The work of the Holy Spirit is immeasurably great, but what are the evidences of a Christian who is Spirit-filled? Supernatural powers? A magnetic personality? No, not really. Being a Spirit-filled Christian is not spooky or even supernatural.
Walking in the Spirit, to be Spirit-filled, is a mental exercise that puts your thoughts, hopes, and desires in God’s hands. Notice the following passage of Scripture: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:5-8). Notice how many times the word “mind” appears. Walking in the Spirit and thus to be Spirit-filled is about where your mind is. So here are some of the evidences of a Spiritfilled Christian:
• A constant prayerful contact with God (1 Thess. 5:17)
• Evident fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)
• Does not feel at odds with God (Rom. 8:6-7)
• A grateful and humble heart (Eph. 5:18-21)
• A strong desire to share God’s message (Acts 13:47-52)
These are the basic evidences of a Spirit-filled Christian. As Christians, we often look for the supernatural, not realizing that the quality of our lives is determined not by the power we wield but by how much the Spirit of God has filled every aspect of our lives. Ellen G. White also says: “Those who are imbued with His Spirit will have an intense love for everyone for whom He died, and will work earnestly to bring into the heavenly garner a harvest of souls. Filled with His Spirit, men and women will be animated with the same desire to save sinners that animated Christ in His lifework as a missionary sent of God.”1
You need to be in constant contact with God throughout the day. Do not just say your prayers, read a verse or two, and then dismiss God until the next day. If that is all you ever do, then God occupies only a tiny fraction of your life. There is no way you are filled with the Spirit.
Remember, the most important aspect of the Christian life is your relationship with God. Being Spirit-filled is not determined by your position in the church, how well you keep the rules, to what degree people recognize your spirituality, or how much influence you wield over others. Being Spirit-filled means that your daily life is filled with God!
1 Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, 18:110.
Jonas Arrais | General Conference Associate Ministerial Secretary
