13/06/2025
BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Ephesians 5:18 "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit"
The ancient Roman had a festival called Bacchanalia which is in honor of Bacchus (Dionysus in Greek mythology), the god of wine, fertility, and ecstasy. It is believed that when they drink wine to the point of being drunk they will fall into the state of ecstasy, which it's rituals suggests that participants may have sought to connect with the divine or experience mystical experiences.
So in Ephesus, that was the other of the day and some of the new convert still hold on to that tradition and belief thinking that the experience of the ecstasy in drinking alcohol is the same with the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Paul now explain to them that the outcome defines the spirit that is at work; that of alcohol leads to debauchery and the Spirit lead to newness and self control.
Note; the point of focus is not on alcohol but on what should replace it which is the Holy Spirit. He uses the phrase "be filled" letting us know that we first experience an initial filling of the Holy Spirit at salvation or baptism and also encourage us to continually allow His presence and power to guide and empower our lives.
To be filled with the Holy Spirit is an ongoing process that helps us to deepen and grow our walk with God. It should be a daily process of infilling and surrendering our live to God, allowing Him to work in us and through us.
Today be filled with the Holy Spirit...