"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." - Ephesians 5:18-21

What does the filling of the Spirit look like? What does it produce in the believer's life? Many today are deceived into following a false Christianity characterized by uncontrollable laughter, convulsions, falling over, acting drunk, speaking gibberish, seeing visions, visiting heaven, talking to angels, gold dust and glory clouds, fire tunnels, and other false signs and wonders. All of these experiences are attributed to manifestations of the Holy Spirit, yet most of this behavior has much more in common with a Hindu “kundalini spirit” (i.e. demons) than it does the Holy Spirit (see here https://youtu.be/eBpw2oQrvMM?si=yL8s7OJJjuQOaIyd).

In Ephesians 5:18-21 Paul outlines a few of the primary manifestations of the Spirit-filled Christian:
1) holiness (no debauchery v.18)
2) worshipful fellowship (v.19)
3) heartfelt singing(v.19)
4) thankfulness (v.20)
5) humble submission (5:21-6:9)

And how are we to go about seeking the filling of the Spirit? In a parallel passage, Colossians 3:12-4:2, "be filled with the Spirit" is parallel with "let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly" (v.16). Which means, TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS TO BE FILLED WITH THE WORD OF GOD, the book He divinely inspired.

Beloved, do not seek the Spirit through unbiblical mystical experiences. Seek to know and obey God by His word and you will be continually filled with His Spirit!

In Christ,

Pastor Bryan