But genuine saving faith is evidenced by its works (James 2:14-26) and the fruit of the Spirit within us (Galatians 5:22). The lack of this evidence can sometimes be the cause of our doubts.
People truly filled with the Spirit will show it by their behaviour. The best way I know to clarify the term Spirit-filled is to point out that its plain-sense meaning is "control." In Ephesians 5:18 it is compared negatively to someone who is controlled by alcohol. "Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation [excess]; but be filled with the Spirit." The importance of this verse cannot be exaggerated. It is the most powerful command in the Bible to be "filled" or controlled by the Holy Spirit. Look again at the context. A drunk person is "filled"with wine (alcohol or drugs) when controlled by the substance. The person isn't literally filled with the liquid or the drug (it may take only a small capsule of dust), but if the substance "control" him, it will alter his behaviour - mentally, emotionally, and physically.
That is what God is telling us here. Instead of being filled with a mindless substance that controls our behaviour, we should be filled with or controlled by the Spirit- meaning that the Spirit will control our behaviour. We see this when our weaknesses are controlled by the Holy Spirit and we act like "new creatures."
Cont'd
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