AM I FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?

What happens to us, as believers, when we are filled with, that is, under the control of the Holy Spirit? We do what the Lord said the Holy Spirit would do; He guides us to speak of Jesus. Jesus said, "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me...." (Jn. 16:13-14).

In Acts Chapter Two, we read what Peter, being filled of the Holy Ghost, preached to the lost: [22] "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: [23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: [24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." Note: God proved the identity of Jesus; God delivered His Son; man crucified and buried Him; and God raised Him from the grave. In other words, Peter preached the Gospel message (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

Peter continued by showing that the Resurrection of Jesus was prophesied in the Scriptures: [25] "For David speaketh concerning Him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: [26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: [27] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. [28] Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." Note: Jesus told two disciples that the Crucifixion and Resurrection were the fulfillment of those things concerning Him as they were foretold by the prophets (Lk. 24:25-27).

Finally, Peter preached on Christ's relationship to David: [29] "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. [30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; [31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. [32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. [33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. [34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on My right hand, [35] Until I make Thy foes Thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Note: Jesus was of the house of David and also David's Lord (Matt. 1:1; Lk. 3:31; Ps. 110:1; Matt. 22:44).

So, if you believe you are filled with the Holy Spirit, the best way to know for sure is to ask yourself this question: "Am I focused on my spiritual experience, on my personal testimony, or on Jesus Christ, whom God sent as Savior to die for the sin of the world, and resurrected to be Lord over all?"