LIVE IN THE FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT And Be Not Drunk With Wine, Wherein Is Excess; But Be Filled With The Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 KJV). Many have approached their walk with God as though spiritual effectiveness comes only through occasional moments of intense preparation. So, when they need to do something significant for God, they feel they must first “get ready” spiritually before they can function effectively. But that’s not the life the Lord Jesus demonstrated or mirrored for us. The Lord Jesus didn’t live from one spiritual emergency to another. He lived in uninterrupted fellowship with the Father. Prayer to Him wasn’t a burdensome “Preparation” because He needed to minister to people; it was His life. He didn’t have to suddenly withdraw to become spiritually fit each time a situation arose. He lived consistently filled with the Spirit, conscious of the Father’s indwelling presence and power at all times. This is the understanding the Apostle Paul conveys in Ephesians 5:18. The expression “Be Filled With The Spirit” in the Greek carries the idea of being constantly and continually filled with the Spirit. It’s not a one-time experience or an occasional encounter. It’s a way of life. Some have misunderstood certain portions of the book of Acts where the Bible records that the Apostles being filled with the Spirit, did something. For example, Acts 4:8 says, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said….” This doesn’t presume or suggest that Peter was empty at one moment and, because of an emergency, suddenly became filled with the Spirit. No. The apostles lived under the continuous influence and fullness of the Holy Spirit. Their lives were yielded to Him daily. This is the life God wants for every Christian. He doesn’t want you struggling spiritually today and trying to recover tomorrow. He wants you continually aflame with the Spirit, always sensitive to His guidance, always full of faith, wisdom, power, and divine consciousness. When you’re continually filled with the Spirit, you won’t panic when challenges arise. You’ll respond from a place of spiritual strength and dominion. How do you maintain this continual infilling? It’s through fellowship with the Word, praying in tongues, worship, and yielding yourself consciously to the Holy Spirit every day. Make it your desire to live constantly under His influence. That’s the higher life in Christ: a life of consistent victory, power, and unbroken fellowship with the Lord. Hallelujah! FURTHER STUDY Ephesians 5:18-21 KJV And Be Not Drunk With Wine, Wherein Is Excess; But Be Filled With The Spirit; Speaking To Yourselves In Psalms And Hymns And Spiritual Songs, Singing And Making Melody In Your Heart To The Lord; Giving Thanks Always For All Things Unto God And The Father In The Name Of Our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting Yourselves One To Another In The Fear Of God. Acts 6:3 KJV Wherefore, Brethren, Look Ye Out Among You Seven Men Of Honest Report, Full Of The Holy Ghost And Wisdom, Whom We May Appoint Over This Business. Luke 4:14 AMPC Then Jesus Went Back Full Of And Under The Power Of The [Holy] Spirit Into Galilee, And The Fame Of Him Spread Through The Whole Region Round About.