Staying Disciplined: Guest Blogger K.J. Nally Shares

Question: What does it mean to be a Christian FULL of the Holy Spirit…how to I live a more Spirit-filled life?

Answer: All Christians are commanded to be full of the Spirit; this fullness is to be continuously and increasingly appropriated by seeking the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Do you call yourself a Christian but live like the rest of the world? Upon confession of Jesus Christ as your Savior and LORD, the Holy Spirit dwells within you as your “deposit guaranteeing” your sealed future with God (2 Cor. 5:4-6). However, the Holy Spirit’s role is to guide us in holiness in this life too, giving us power to overcome temptations and give us an escape route every time sin beckons at our door (1 Cor. 10:12-14). Do you seek an intimate relationship with Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit’s guidance? Or have you become numb to the power given to you upon salvation, grieving the Spirit?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully God. He is a HE, not an “it.” Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct, universal divine promise to all that have been claimed as children of God (Jer. 31:33; Jn. 14:16; Rom. 14:17); it is defined as once-for-all, the blessing of salvation—washing away of sin and bestowal of the Holy Spirit at conversion. The fullness of Spirit is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit within the believer to daily live in holiness, fulfill a difficult God-sized task, and proclaim Christ boldly. This fullness is to be continuously and increasingly appropriated. To continue being filled by the Spirit, a Christian must continue to come (thirsting) to Jesus Christ (Jn. 7:37-39).

Evidence of the Holy Spirit

The evidence of the Spirit’s fullness in a Christian is clearly presented in scripture (Eph. 5:18-21). All Christians are commanded to be full of the Spirit; it is not something that is given only to the special few or in a special miraculous gift, such as speaking in tongues. Spiritual gifts are given to each individual believer for the edification and healthy growth of the church (Eph. 4:12, 16).  Spiritual gifts are certain functions, bestowed by God’s grace and power, which suit people for specific and related service. Therefore, when discussing miraculous gifts; prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues, Christians must understand that God is the free and sovereign Creator, while also understanding that God works primarily in nature in history not in the supernatural. God can speak to His creation however He declares best, even in the miraculous; however, every Christian has spiritual gifts and therefore has a responsibility to use that gift for the church.  

Gifts are not given to aid, comfort, and strengthen ourselves, but for the edification of the church as a body and in complete obedience to scripture (Eph. 4:12, 16). According to scripture, the Holy Spirit is seen in a Christian’s fruits; namely, self-control. Those filled with the Spirit must use their mind, and act in intelligent, controlled, healthy relationship with God and with each other (1 Cor. 14:13-15). The Spirit’s fullness involves not a private, mystical experience but a moral relationship with God and others. God, the Holy Spirit, manifests in the Christian’s life through proper Christ-directed worship and submissive fellowship with God and the church body.

The evidence of the Spirit’s fullness in a Christian is clearly presented in scripture:

1. First, the sign of fullness is spiritual fellowship in common worship (Jn. 4:23-24).
2. The second is the biblical truth that the Holy Spirit loves to glorify the Lord Jesus. Therefore, the Christian delights daily to sing Jesus’ praises in heartfelt worship and in obedience, which is our spiritual act of worship (Rom. 12:1-2).
3. Third, Christians filled with the Spirit trust in all things (Col. 3:15-17).
4. Fourth, a mark of the Spirit’s fullness is willing submission to others (Eph. 5:1, 21).

Getting Practical: What does fullness look like?

How you grow in fullness (opposite of grieving the Spirit): Study of Ephesians 4:1-32

1.      Newness of life in Christ Jesus.
2.      Saturating lives with Scripture—daily Bible Study and learner of the Word through teaching and preaching. (Not tossed by false teaching or culture’s allure).
3.      Pray to the Father continually—intimate relationship.
4.      Active Service for the growth of the Body/ fellowship and submission of believers.
5.      Moral living—shedding of old man, not walking like Gentiles (unbelievers).
6.      Put away falsehood, speak truth in love.
7.      Not angry/ no unwholesome talk from mouths.
8.      Not giving Satan a foothold.
9.      Be compassionate and kind.
10.   Forgive each other as Christ forgave you.

Are you FULL?

 K.J. Nally is a writer, teacher, and counselor. She is pursuing her master’s degree in Biblical Counseling, concentrating in women’s ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. K.J. and her husband, Dustin, have a passion to fight for Godly marriages, spur on teens to seek purity, and encourage men and women to live obediently to their Creator God.

K.J. and Dustin are marriage and individual counselors at Hope Counseling Center through their church, North Wake. They also work with Converting Hearts Ministries,’ a Christ-centered addictions ministry.

K.J. currently works as a freelance journalist with The Wake Weekly. Check out more about Christian Living at K.J.’s blog, Answers of Truth.