Being Spirit-Filled: Not an Option

Dad’s, being Spirit-filled is not an option. It is a divine command requiring our absolute obedience. At any given moment, we are either controlled by the Holy Spirit or by our flesh (Galatians 5:16). Consequently, our homes are either a little bit of heaven or a little bit of hell, depending upon what influence is leading us, but rarely anything in between. When we are carnal, our families are marked by disputes, anger, arguments, selfishness, impatience, and intolerance (Galatians 5:19-21). But when we are controlled by, filled with the Spirit, our families are marked by the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

The pivotal question is, Who is controlling us? self? Or the spirit?

The filling of the Spirit is not a one-time experience, but an ongoing experience. We must be always filled with the Spirit. God’s command to be Spirit-filled is in the present tense, challenging us to “always be being filled with the Spirit.” We must live every moment of every day, yielded to the Spirit, constantly empowered to be a godly father.

Excerpt taken from The Legacy, by Steven Lawson.