What does it mean to be “filled with the Spirit”?

Finally, we come to the most practical dimension of our entire study. 

A power drill is not much good unless it's plugged into a power source. You can make a hole in a piece of wood if you try hard enough, but the tool isn't fulfilling its purpose without its intended power. 

So it is for all Christians—we cannot accomplish our purpose without the power of the Spirit. 

The daily "filling" of the Holy Spirit is the most crucial experience of the Christian life. Next to our salvation, it is the most important decision we make. And we must make it every day.

Some traditions believe that we can become Christians without experiencing the "baptism" of the Spirit. But Romans 8:9 makes clear that if we do not have the Spirit, we do not belong to Jesus. 

I believe that the moment we ask Christ to be our Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us. In fact, when we "ask Jesus into our hearts," it is actually the Spirit who answers our prayer.

Unfortunately, while every Christian is "baptized" in the Spirit, not every Christian is "filled" with the Spirit. The command in question is Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." 

"Filled' means "controlled." The Greek literally says, "Be continually being controlled by the Spirit." This is an ongoing, daily decision we must make.

Why be filled with the Spirit?

• When we are living under the control of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered for our purpose and work (Acts 1:8). 
• We find the comfort of Christ (John 14:1, 18, 27–28). 
• We experience his teaching, counsel, guidance, and wisdom (John 14:26). 
• The Spirit anchors, stabilizes, grows, and matures us (Ephesians 4:14–16).
• The Spirit then equips us against Satan (Ephesians 6:10–17; 1 John 4:4). 
• And he makes us witnesses to the world (Matthew 28:18–20). 

Without his power, we cannot fulfill his purpose. 

With his power, no purpose is beyond our fulfillment.