The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology, Part 2) | Ephesians 5:12-22 | Message 7
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17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:17-22
The Holy Spirit is not a distant theological idea—He is the living presence and power of God at work in every believer. In Ephesians 5:17–18, Paul commands, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” This divine command isn’t optional. Every follower of Christ is called to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit’s activity is unmistakable. In the Old Testament, He is referenced 88 times, and in the New Testament, 262 times. From Genesis 1:2 to Revelation 22:17, we see the Spirit of God moving, creating, striving, illuminating, restraining, empowering, and sanctifying. He is called the Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2), the Spirit of the Lord (Luke 4:18), the Spirit of your Father (Matthew 10:20), and the Spirit of the Living God (2 Corinthians 3:3). His presence is the continuity of divine power from creation to redemption.
The Holy Spirit Strives with Man. In Genesis 6:3, God said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.” From the beginning, the Spirit has been convicting and calling humanity back to God. Yet many harden their hearts and resist His voice. The Spirit still strives with men and women today—especially in seasons of pain or suffering, where He refines our faith and reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient even in weakness.
The Holy Spirit Convicts the World of Sin. Jesus said in John 16:7–8, “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” Every time the gospel is preached, the Spirit of God is speaking more powerfully than the preacher’s voice. He convicts hearts, opens blind eyes, and draws people to salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit Restrains Evil. 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7 teaches that “He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” Even in a world filled with corruption, violence, and rebellion, the Spirit is the unseen force holding back the flood of evil. One day, when the Church is raptured and the restraining influence is removed, lawlessness will overflow. Until that day, the Spirit continues to hold back the darkness.
The Holy Spirit Illuminates God’s Truth. Every believer who opens Scripture and suddenly “sees” a truth that changes them has experienced illumination. John 16:13 declares, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” The Spirit does not draw attention to Himself—He shines the spotlight on Jesus Christ. His role is to help us understand and apply God’s Word in daily life.
The Holy Spirit Gives Assurance. Romans 8:16 promises, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” You don’t need a church official or ritual to confirm your salvation. The Spirit Himself testifies within you that you belong to Christ. Wherever you go—on a mission trip, in your workplace, or even on a vacation surrounded by worldly distractions—the Spirit is present within you, reminding you that you are God’s child.
The Holy Spirit Anoints Believers for Service. 1 John 2:27 says, “The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you.” When God places His hand on your life, you will know it. That anointing gives you divine boldness and clarity to serve others. Many believers live unfulfilled lives because they have not yet yielded to this calling. The Spirit’s anointing always precedes divine effectiveness.
The Holy Spirit Sanctifies Believers. Hebrews 10:14 reminds us that God has “perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” Sanctification means being set apart for a holy purpose. It is a process of becoming more like Christ through the Spirit’s transforming work. When believers pursue holiness, they experience the freedom and joy that only the Spirit can produce.
So how can a believer experience the filling of the Holy Spirit? Scripture gives us a clear path.
1. Deal with Sin. 1 John 1:9 teaches that sin grieves the Spirit. Confession and repentance open the heart to His fullness. You cannot be filled with God’s Spirit while clinging to known sin.
2. Die to Self. 1 Corinthians 15:31—“I die daily.” Paul surrendered his comfort and ambition for the cause of Christ. The Spirit fills those who are empty of pride and self-will.
3. Yield Yourself to God. Romans 6:11–13 commands us to present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. Yielding is daily surrender—placing your plans and preferences on the altar.
4. Ask the Father to fill you. Jesus said in Luke 11:13, “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” God longs to fill His children with His Spirit far more than we long to be filled.
When believers live Spirit-filled lives, the results are unmistakable—joy, gratitude, effective use of spiritual gifts, and victory over sin. Ephesians 5:19–20 describes believers “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things.” A Spirit-filled life radiates praise even in the midst of hardship.
And finally, the Spirit empowers us for witnessing. Acts 1:8 declares, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me.” The evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not emotionalism—it is evangelism. When the Spirit fills your life, you can’t help but share Christ.
God is calling every believer to live beyond human ability—to live in the strength and fullness of His Spirit. The question is not whether the Holy Spirit is available; the question is, are you available to Him?
