Ephesians 5:18 (HCSB) "And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit."
The Spirit-filled life may be hard for some readers to grasp or to communicate to others who have never heard of it. The verses above demonstrate the centrality of this truth. I wanted to share today an illustration (from memory) I heard the late pastor Dr. Adrian Rogers use in explaining the Spirit's desire and right to fill every Christian. I found it to be so helpful, and I pray you will as well!
Dr. Adrian Rogers illustrates the Spirit-filled life
"Let us suppose you have a close, long-time friend with whom you have known since the days of childhood. This close friend is one whom you will call upon from time-to-time and this friend is loyal. We could say that this friend checks upon you more than you check upon him. Let us suppose your good friend pays a visit. He knocks at the door, you let him in and you visit with each other. He tells you he is needing a place to stay for the next few days before he travels onto his next destination.
You tell him "no problem. As a matter of fact, make yourself at home. I have to go into work soon. There is food in the refrigerator, the remote is sitting on the chair. In fact, if you need to use my extra car, so as to save on your gas, go ahead. You can come and go as you please."
So you go off to work, happy that your good friend is there in your house. When you come home later that day, you find the car in the driveway and the dishes washed and put away. At first you smile, but then suddenly you here a noise - like the sound of the rustling of papers. You run into your den, and there is your friend, rifling through your files, old photographs and personal bank statements. He has also been checking out your checkbook and is searching through your computer to see what websites you have been visiting.
You try to keep your composure and say to your friend in a stern tone: "pardon me, may I help you?" Your friend says: "I looked through those old pictures of you, they sure were funny. I also noticed some of the expenditures in your checkbook, can you afford some of things you are purchasing?"
You interrupt: "Excuse me! What gave you the right to rifle through my belongings, I...". Your friend interjects: "Well you did tell me to make myself at home, didn't you?" My goodness, those old pictures of you sure are something. I noticed some of the websites you have been looking at. You sure are odd in your preferences."
What would you do dear friend? What would you say to such a friend? Would you tell them to leave the den, perhaps leave the house? Would you break off communication with such a friend? Perhaps with anyone else, the above scenario would elicit an immediate telling of your friend to leave. However, what about the Holy Spirit? Did you know He is our helper, our comforter, our very best Friend sent by Jesus to every Christian and God, the Third Person of the Trinity (John 15:26-27; 2 Corinthians 3:16-17).
Furthermore, He takes up residence inside every Christian at salvation - hence making every Christian a temple of His possession (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20). God in the Person of the Holy Spirit not only resides in you, but also desires to rule in you. He has every right to access every area of our lives. We oftentimes give the Holy Spirit access to poritions of our lives, and yet the proverbial "den" is off-limits. I'm here to tell you dear friend, unless you let the Holy Spirit have unlimited access to your thought-life, your decisions, your private affairs, habits, finances, relationships and heart, you will never know what it means to have the joy of the Spirit-filled life."
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