1351. 2. When Does the Spirit Fill Our Hearts?

2. When Does the Spirit Fill Our Hearts?

The filling of the Spirit is quite distinct from the indwelling of the Spirit. God writes to believers and says, "Be filled with the Spirit" (Eph_5:18); but He never tells believers to receive the Spirit.

It is one thing to have the Holy Spirit in the throne room, and another thing to have Him seated on the throne with His authority accepted.

What believers should do first, is to recognize the Spirit's indwelling; then they should yield to the Spirit for His infilling. The indwelling Spirit is life; the infilling Spirit is life more abundant. The indwelling Spirit alone makes possible every blessing of the infilling Spirit. When we have learned the fact of the Spirit's indwelling, we should recognize Him and yield the life to Him and soon we will know the blessings of the Spirit outflowing. "Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living Water. (But this spake He of the Spirit)" (Joh_7:37-38).

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR