June 5, 2008
… be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
--Ephesians 5:18-21
Today’s Scripture gives us as believers a clear command—to “be filled with the Holy Spirit.” But how do you know you’re leading a Spirit-filled life? The Scripture goes on to provide three very simple and practical essentials.
The first mark or evidence of a Spirit-filled life is our speaking or singing of praise. The Spirit-filled man or woman is constantly bringing worship and praise to God. It’s like their heart is overflowing with a melody or a declaration of heartfelt praise.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a good singing voice—it’s the heart of worship behind your song that God delights in! The daily worship that comes from your heart is a precious offering to the Lord and is a sign that the Holy Spirit is living in you.
The second mark of a Spirit-filled life is giving thanks to the Lord. Spirit-filled believers are not complainers or fault-finders. They live with an attitude of gratitude!
The Scripture commands us to “give thanks always and for everything.” That means to give thanks for our blessings… for the blessings we are yet to receive… and even to give thanks when we are in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Spirit-filled believers are in love with Jesus Christ and cannot help but give thanks… it’s a heart-attitude… it’s a “heartitude”!
Finally, the third mark of a Spirit-filled life is submitting to one another. A Spirit-filled believer never seeks the spotlight, but seeks to serve others with a genuine attitude of humility.
This was the example that Jesus gave us. He submitted to the will of God and He served those around Him. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, this same attitude can be seen in your life… a submission out of reverence for God.
These three signs…the singing of praise to God… the giving of thanks… and submission to others… are marks of a Spirit-filled life and will demonstrate to others the reality of your faith in Christ. And it’s my prayer that these qualities will mark your life as a believer more and more each day.
MAKE AN EFFORT TODAY TO LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH BY OFFERING PRAISE TO GOD… GIVING HIM THANKS… AND SERVING SOMEONE ELSE.