And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
– Ephesians 5:18

Most folks think that they have control of themselves and their circumstances.  I am reminded of a scene from the movie The Devil Wears Prada.  Miranda, a powerful fashion editor, is explaining to her second assistant Andrea that the sweater she “chose” was actually chosen for her by professionals in rooms like the one that she found herself in at that moment.  I apologize if you missed the analogy, but the point is that world (in the Biblical sense) tells folks what to think, what to wear, and how to feel.

Paul begins his admonition to be filled with the Spirit with the extreme contrast of being controlled by alcohol which is (results in) “excess”(KJV).  The Old English term excess confuses some folks into thinking that the verse is talking about too much alcohol.  Actually, this word is translated elsewhere as “riot” (1 Timothy 1:6 & 1 Peter 4:4), a behavior observed of unbelieving Gentiles. It is a term of violence to self and/or to others.

Ephesians 5:17 provides the purpose of being filled with the Spirit: To understand the will of The Lord. The following verses provide the result of being filled with the Spirit.

• Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  (Ephesians 5:19)
• Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 5:20)
• Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:21)

The confusion that folks make here is that some think that through religious practice like singing and listening to Christian music, saying prayers, and subjection to religious authority will lead them to the Spirit’s filling.  On the contrary, these are the results (not the means).

What then is the filling of the Spirit?  One analogy often used is that of a glass filled with water, leaving no room for anything else.  This represents the view that the Spirit is the content of the filling. This view results from the misunderstanding of what this verse is saying.

If Paul was indicating that the Spirit was the “content” one would expect to find what is known as a “genitive of content”.  The use of a dative to indicate content is rare. In fact, there are no examples in the Bible of a “dative of content” where the preposition “en” is used, as is the case here.

Therefore, the grammar of the text argues for the agency of the Spirit rather than the content. Expanded this would read: Be filled with (that is by means of) the Holy Spirit.  The fact that this is in the present (be being) indicates that it is not like salvation or the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (a totally different subject), that occurs once for all.  Instead, it is a daily or moment by moment act of the will to allow the Spirit of The Lord to have control.  Namely, saying yes to what the Word of God says even when it conflicts with our own wisdom, intellect, and emotion.

Finally, if the content is not the Spirit, what is?  The answer is found in Ephesians 3:19, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.  See then it is God working in us that results joy, contentment, singing, praying, and placing others above ourselves.

Beware that you do not mistake religion, which may look much like this, for a true relationship with The Lord.  Only one who has believed on Christ can filled (controlled) by His Spirit, and enjoy the fullness of God’s indwelling Spirit.  Trust in Him today.