Charles Stanley (October 3, 2025) Daily Devotional: What Is the Spirit-Filled Life?
If we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we become more and more like Christ.
Ephesians 5:15-21 - Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Although God wants all His children to be filled with the Spirit, many Christians are not sure what this actually means. Every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but the extent of His impact is affected by the Christian’s willingness to comply.
Think of this as a voluntary choice to surrender your life to the Spirit’s control—in other words, to be sensitive to His leadership and guidance, obedient to His promptings, and dependent upon His strength. The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s control is revealed in a person’s character. Those who have yielded their life to Christ’s leadership are continually being transformed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit). The degree of surrender determines the level of transformation.
Even though good works and faithful service result from being filled with the Holy Spirit, in and of themselves, they are not necessarily signs of being yielded to Him. Remember, God prioritizes character over actions (1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, ``Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."). After all, it’s easier to serve the Lord in some manner than to love the unlovable or be patient with difficult people.
When the Spirit is in charge, He works through us to accomplish what we cannot do on our own. Godly character and fullness of the Spirit await those who choose God over self.
Bible in One Year: Matthew 1-4
