Dig Into Ephesians with Todd WagnerSample

Filled with the Spirit

Elementary schools can offer creative incentives to encourage student excellence. One favorite treat is to win “principal of the day,” in which a student is invited to shadow the principal, presenting awards, making announcements to the student body, and presiding over other “official” acts. The students typically have a wonderful time.

But imagine the chaos if a third-grader really were in charge of the school. Actual principals spend years preparing for the role. Their maturity, experience, and wisdom qualify them for a position that holds much responsibility. When choosing a principal to lead one of their schools, district officials look for the best, most qualified person.

When Paul continued his encouragement to the Ephesian church, he urged them to “be filled by the Spirit” (v. 18) rather than being drunk with wine. As Todd taught in the video, the way Paul words this exhortation shows that “filled” means “controlled.” Every believer is indwelt with the Spirit of God, but we do not always give him the controls to our lives. That is a daily choice.

When we invite the Spirit to lead us in God’s way, we put ourselves under his authority rather than something else’s power. Todd asked, “What’s controlling you? Anger, lust, fear?” Submitting ourselves to the Spirit means that we choose to let him rule us rather than our favorite sin or weakness. Instead of the immature third-grader, we want a wise adult to be the “principal” of our lives.

What do Spirit-filled people look like? She tells others about God’s goodness, is thankful to God even in hard times, and puts others before herself. He pursues sexual purity, generosity, and truth. They seek wisdom and truth, wanting to reflect Jesus’s character in their everyday lives. In marriage, spouses seek to out-serve the other, looking to Jesus as their example and the Spirit as their source of strength.

See God as your Father and imitate him. Let your heart be moved by what moves his. Place value on the things that he values. Choose to be filled with the Spirit, and let his presence flow out of you in how you speak to those inside and outside the faith.