#1470. Be filled with the Spirit (11/3/26)
- Matt Beaney
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
From Ephesians 5:18, let’s explore what it means to be filled with the Spirit, and how we can pursue this as a lifestyle.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit…’ (Ephesians 5:18)
1. Do not get drunk on wine
In our last devotional, we reflected on the command: ‘Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.’ Now Paul gives a specific example of what that looks like in practice - something to stop and something to pursue:
We are not to ‘get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery,’ but instead we are to ‘be filled with the Spirit.’
Just as sexual immorality was common in their world - a theme we considered earlier - so drunkenness was widespread. It was normalised in society then, and it remains so today. The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary notes:
‘In some of the Graeco-Roman religions, drunkenness was even seen as the means by which one could experience ecstasy and union with a god. This was most notable in the cult of Dionysus (or Bacchus), whose cultic symbol was the vine.’
While that background may help us understand Paul’s world, his concern is broader than pagan ritual. He is addressing the everyday culture of excessive drinking.
It is important to note that drinking alcohol is not forbidden in Scripture. Wine is even central to Communion (even if some substitute grape juice). Nor is Paul condemning moderate drinking - after all, Jesus Himself drank wine.
What Paul forbids is the misuse of something good.
The phrase ‘do not get drunk’ carries the sense of an ongoing pattern - a lifestyle. It refers to habitual intoxication. And the result? Debauchery.
The Greek word asōtia means reckless, wasteful abandon - a loss of moral restraint. Drunkenness becomes a gateway to all kinds of sin and foolishness. How many violent altercations, car crashes, sexual encounters, broken relationships, hateful messages, and deep regrets would have been avoided if alcohol had not dulled judgment?
Proverbs 20:1, which would have been familiar to Paul, puts it plainly:
‘Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.’
To live wisely in evil days means refusing to surrender control of our lives to substances that impair our judgment and loosen our moral boundaries.
2. Be filled with the Spirit
Paul does not simply say ‘stop.’ He says, ‘Instead…’
Rather than the reckless abandon that comes from too much wine, we are to experience the holy influence of the Spirit. Paul places wine and Spirit side by side because both influence and control a person. The question is not whether we will be influenced - but by what.
Our lives are shaped by what fills us.
If we are filled with alcohol, the fruit is disorder.If we are filled with the Spirit, the fruit is love, joy, peace, and self-control.
Notice also that ‘be filled’ (plērousthe) is a present continuous verb - it means ‘go on being filled.’ This is not a one-time experience to look back on, but an ongoing dependence. We are a people of the Spirit, and we are to live in continual openness to His presence and power.
Response
When we think about being filled with the Spirit, we return to the image of the temple — God’s dwelling place. Paul has already told us:
‘And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.’ (Ephesian 2:22)
It’s important to not that being filled is corporate as well and individually. We, together, are to seek to be filled by the Spirit - allow Him free reign among us!
To ‘go on being filled’ involves at least five elements:
i. Faith
We must recognise who we are — personally and as a church. We are God’s holy temple. To be filled, we must believe that He truly dwells in us and desires to fill us afresh.
ii. Do not grieve Him
To be filled is the opposite of grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). It means keeping the “temple courts” clear of the clutter of sin, compromise, and distraction — just as Jesus cleared the temple (Mark 11:17). A surrendered life makes room for the Spirit’s fullness.
iii. Prayer
Jesus invites the thirsty to ask Him for living water (John 3:37-39). Being filled is not passive; it involves asking. Let us come to Him in prayer or ask someone to pray for us, let’s keep inviting the Spirit to fill and refresh us.
iv. Keep in step
To be filled is to walk in step with the Spirit. Like wind filling a sail and moving a ship in the right direction, so the Spirit directs and empowers us as we yield to Him. This filling will be seen in our faith, hope and love.
v. Meet for worship
Personal and corporate worship is also vital for being filled with the Holy Spirit - we’ll look at this in our next devotion.
In a world that seeks escape through intoxication, God offers something better - not numbness and reckless abandon, but holy transformation.
So today, let seek to go on being filled with the Spirit.
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Please ensure that everyone is aware and is signed up to our 50-hours of prayer that is starting on 11th March. Here’s the link to get the app:
2. Icebreaker
Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
Please read Ephesians 5:15-20 and discuss:
Personal Reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?
Get wisdom - How do we get wisdom and why is it important to get it?
God’s wisdom is to our being under the right influence - Why does God put drunkenness and being filled with the Spirit side-by-side?
Wisdom with Alcohol - Alcohol is a good gift, but when would you say that it’s become a problem?
Be filled - How can one apply this command to ‘go on being filled with the Holy Spirit’?
Psalms Hymns… - How, according to our text is worship related to the work of the Holy Spirit?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
SIV - From our text, what can we learn about how God’s wisdom and being filled lead to our becoming a light in our community?
Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.
Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?
Let’s Pray Together
Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.
Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.
Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.
General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?
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