Controlled by the
Spirit
Ephesians 5:17-18; Romans 6:13;
12:1; I John 5:14-15
ALL of a man's natural talents and traits, personality
and persuasion will not convict and convert one soul to Christ. The
real difference in the New Testament church was not in the activity of
the saints but in the action of the Spirit of God who had full
control. The same power of the Holy Spirit is available to any soul
winner today.
It is not a convenience but a command to "be filled with the Spirit"
(Eph. 5:18). It is a sin not to be filled with the Spirit. What a
comparison! Don't be under the influence or control of alcohol but
under the influence or control of the Spirit. Just as a drunk man has
a love for all, a boldness, and a loose tongue, so one filled with the
Holy Spirit will have a love for the lost, a holy boldness and will
speak freely for Christ.
Being filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by the Spirit. The
late Dr. Kenneth S. Wuest of Moody Bible Institute said, "It is not
putting gas in the tank but a driver at the wheel." When the Holy
Spirit controls a person, He provides the boldness and liberty of
speech.
How is a man filled with the Spirit? It is not some deep secret or
mystery that only some few discover. The conditions are quite clear.
The one basic requirement is obedience. This involves "quench not," or
don't resist His control (I Thess. 5:19); "grieve not," or don't have
unconfessed sin (Eph. 4:30) and "walking," or depending on the
Spirit's leading and power (Gal. 5:16, 25). We should pray that
hindrances to His control be removed from our lives. We can ask with
confidence for God to take control by the Spirit. It certainly is
God's will that we be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:17-18). And "if
we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know
that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions
that we desired of him" (I John 5:14-15). If we ask for the Spirit to
take control, by faith we know that we have that petition! The minute
you sense the works of the flesh because of disobedience, just confess
your sin (I John 1:9), yield afresh, and He will take control. This is
"walking in the Spirit"--yielding, confessing sin and depending on the
Spirit. Just meet these conditions and He will do the rest. |