Study

Experiencing The Power of God

Dr. Crawford Loritts
5 Days
Introduction
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

A Continuous Urgency

Day 3

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Yesterday, we analyzed the command and control of the Spirit through the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. The filling of the Holy Spirit is a command we are to follow to allow His continuous control in our lives. What does that mean for our daily lives? On Day Three, we will discover what a life transformed by the Holy Spirit actually looks like. 

Let’s get started.

Summary

When we look back to Ephesians 5:18, we see that that is a sense of urgency in those words.

 “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit..."

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a continual work. This does not mean we pull some hyperbolic lever and receive more of the Holy Spirit when needed, rather, it means that we yield fully to the Spirit of God that's inside of us. We surrender to Him. 

What does it look like for us to be consistently controlled by the Holy Spirit? The answer is found in Galatians 5:19-23 when Paul contrasts the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

Galatians 5:19-24 ESV

Being filled with the Spirit of God means that we look more and more like Jesus. 

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are a result of the Spirit of God controlling our lives. When we are consistently filled with the spirit over a period of time, we will manifest these characteristics and then some. Neither list Paul gives us is exhaustive, rather, it illustrates that the fruit of the Spirit is a profile for Christ-likeness. 

To be authentically filled with the Holy Spirit, you will exalt Christ and look like Him. Could you think of a better reflection to be?

What's next?

What are the consequences of each of the lists given in Galatians 5:19-23?

Here, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. While neither list is exhaustive, it does give us direction on what God wants to develop in our lives. Sometimes, people become very good at appearing that they are super spiritual. They allow pride to control them so that they can position themselves in authority through false spirituality. That is not what the Holy Spirit is working to develop. He cultivates a pure Christlikeness in believers.

  1. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  2. What are the consequences of each of the lists given in Galatians 5:19-23?

Scripture References

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach
2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
3After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
5
For John baptized with
water, but in a few days you will be baptized with
the Holy Spirit.”
6Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them:
“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
49
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Dr. Crawford Loritts
Dr. Crawford Loritts
Dr. Crawford Loritts is the senior pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, Georgia. He has served as a national evangelist with the American Missionary Fellowship and the Urban Evangelistic Mission and as associate director of Campus Crusade for Christ. He is the author of six books, including Leadership as an Identity, Lessons from a Life Coach, and For a Time We Cannot See.