Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
–Ephesians 5:15-18
When I was little, my family lived in a little town that had two major churches. There was the Baptist church, where we felt comfortable because people worshipped like us, used our religious lingo, and dressed in a way that we knew we were all together.
Then over on the opposite side of town, there was that “other church.” I remember hearing the grown-ups talking about all the things that went on in that church: People were rolling in the aisles, shouting, speaking in tongues, and even handling snakes. And as Baptists, we didn’t want anything to do with that other church!
Because of that aversion, our church built up a resistance to anything that had to do with the Holy Spirit. We just forgot about the third person of the Trinity. We didn’t want anyone to think we were out on a limb, so we just stayed out of the tree!
But as I’ve grown in my faith, I’ve learned that the Holy Spirit is the very power of God, not something we should fear. And while it’s true there are some who distort the Bible’s teaching on the Spirit, we still must acknowledge and worship Him as God!
Don’t be afraid of the Holy Spirit. Love Him; embrace Him; and be filled with Him as the very power of God inside of you!
BE FILLED – NOT FEARFUL – OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BECAUSE HE IS THE POWER OF GOD INSIDE OF YOU!
