Are you filled with the Spirit? In 1950 an evangelist stood in a massive stadium in Los Angeles, California and began to preach on the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit. He shared that the fact that some of us believe one thing about the Holy Spirit and some another does not negate the fact that God has commanded us to be filled with the Spirit. This man was Billy Graham. He knew that in order to live in victory and not defeat, in blessing and not lack, and in peace and not torment is to have the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Talking to a stadium of tens of thousands of people, Billy Graham stood and boldly declared, "You Christians, are you filled with the Spirit? If you are not," he said, "you are in sin."

In light of that statement, Billy Graham went on to talk about how one Sunday he visited a church where a deacon had walked into that morning service intoxicated. Because of this the church rightly excommunicated him. Brother Graham turned to the pastor and said, "How many of your deacons show up every Sunday morning filled with the Spirit? Do they always show up filled with the Spirit?" The pastor had to humbly bow his head as he replied, "No, they don't." We must remember Ephesians 5:18 which says, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (KJV). He reminded the pastor that the same verse which tells us to not be drunk is the same one that tells us to be filled with the Spirit. 

Now, it is one thing to know you must be filled with the Spirit, and another to want to be filled with the Spirit. If you are done living a defeated lifestyle and are done feeling alone and in need of comfort then the Comforter is just who you need.

"How do you receive the Holy Spirit?"

John 16:7-11 says, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

If you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit there are a few steps for you to take:

1. You must be cleansed of your sin. If you want to be filled you must do what you can to plug the holes in your vessel that are keeping you from being filled to overflowing. 
   • These holes or sins don't just include sins of greed, pride, adultery, and lust, but also the following sins of omission: 
     • ingratitude
     • lack of love for God
     • neglect of the Word of God
     • unbelief
     • neglect of prayer
     • failure to attend church
     • lack of passion for souls
     • neglecting your family duty
   • How do you cleanse yourself from these sins and other sins? 
     • You repent and ask the Lord to cleanse you of all unrighteousness.
   • Keep in mind that what you are about to receive is spiritual... not natural. It must be received by faith.
     • First Corinthians 2:14-15 says, "But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters]. 15 But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature]" (AMP).

1. Believe in your heart that the Holy Spirit is PROMISED to YOU and is available to all who ask (Luke 11:13). Then you must confess this with your mouth and take possession of it.
   • Colossians 2:6 says, "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him" (KJV).
   • In order to receive Jesus, Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (KJV). In like manner, to receive the Holy Ghost, you must believe in your heart and confess with you mouth.
   • Be sure to watch the video below in its entirety for more on now to be filled.

The four signs you are filled with the Holy Ghost are as follows:

1. Are you living a holy life? 
   • A man with an unclean spirit does unclean things while a man with an evil spirit does evil things. Someone with the Holy Spirit does holy things. 
   • Is there an inner drive within you to be holy? Are you hungry for holiness?
2. Are you a bold witness for Jesus Christ everywhere that you go?
   • Acts 1:8 says, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (KJV).
3. Does God have first place in your life?
   • When it comes to your family and your job, do you put Him first?
4. What happens when you get bumped? 
   • When trials come and bump up against your life, what comes out of you? 
   • If what is coming out of you isn't Holy Ghost gratitude, holiness, and righteousness, it's time for you to receive a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. 

I am sure that many of you reading this blog have received your salvation, and maybe even been filled with the Holy Ghost, but what's been coming out of you lately? Do you have holes  caused by sin in your vessel that are keeping you from receiving the POWER that God has promised you? It's not too late. If you would like to receive a NEW infilling of the Holy Ghost, you can follow the steps above or click the video below to join me in our prayer at ECC for a fresh equipping of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Are you ready for MORE? Are you ready for a Holy Spirit INVASION? Watch the video below to find out more!