Ephesians 5:18,19 “18 … 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.”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Of the three epistles which Paul wrote from prison in Rome, Ephesians and Colossians were sent to the churches approximately between AD 60-62. These letters were hand delivered by the messenger, Tychicus, to the churches, and give us teaching and instruction focusing mostly on the glory and majesty of Christ and the church, and the life of the believer.
A simple observation of these two passages show distinct similarities, and the verbiage of these references end with the same exhortation to “speak and admonish one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody and thankfulness from the heart.” The difference in these passages is how they begin. In Eph 5:18, Paul encourages believers ” … be filled with the Spirit,” while Colossians 3:16, commands, “Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in you …” Noting the very similar language leads to a conclusion, encouraging believers to be filled with the Spirit and the Word. More than mere suggestion, these statements are written in the imperative mood, which indicates that these are strong exhortations for us as believers to heed and to live by. “Be filled with the Spirit … Be filled with the Word of God.”
The Greek word “πληρόω” (plēroō) means “to make full,” carrying the idea of filling something to its fullest capacity. I remember learning in physical science concerning the “Bernoulli principle,” where a container could be so filled, it crested with a bubble of liquid at the top. In my mind, I believe Paul was illustrating this idea, ie. that we should be filled with God’s Spirit, and His Word, where nothing else is lacking. This is obviously a high calling for us as believers in Christ – to be filled with God.
I remember an old gospel chorus which we sung in the church entitled, “Fill my cup.” This song was a prayer asking God to fill the “cup of our lives,” and I sang it with faith and passion for God. There’s no doubt from scripture that God is interested in filling us up with Himself, but I’ve also come to realize that the problem with me is that I’m actually filled with so many other things! As I walk and talk with the Lord, I often find the need to “empty” my cup of all distractions, asking God to fill me anew. My request is for God to fill me with His Spirit and the knowledge and understanding of His Word. David wrote in Ps. 118:19, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from your law (Word).” Even more than being filled, we’re called to “overflow” with the goodness of God. (John 7:38,39). It is this spilling over of the life and love of God that will affect others for Christ. The world is truly needing to see believers who are overflowing with the love and person of Christ.
I’m therefore persuaded from these two passages, Eph 5:18,19, and Col 3:16, that God wants us to posssess a life that emphasizes the perfect balance of both Word and Spirit. Balancing a “Spirit-filled life” with a “life filled with the Word of God” is so needed for a healthy, vibrant, Christian life. There is no other way to truly live an abundant life in Jesus!
The Strengths of the Spirit-Filled Life
1. When we embrace the Spirit-Filled life we’ll experiencing God’s guidance and His empowering to life a life led by the Holy Spirit. The scripture teaches us that He, the Holy Spirit lead us into all truth. It is He who gives guidance, wisdom, and empowerment for daily living. (John 16:13,14; Galatians 5:16-18).
2. Spiritual Gifts: The Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts that equip believers to serve the church and others effectively (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Spiritual gifts are not natural talents or abilities, but a conferring of the Holy Spirit for Him to use us in ministry.
3. A Spirit-filled life shows forth the “Fruit of the Spirit,” ie. “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23). The fruit of the Spirit is the demonstration of the character of Christ in us.
4. As we embrace the Spirit-filled life we experience intimacy with God in prayer, worship, communion, and meditation. This requires a committment to the practices of discipled life, where we need to make regular time in our lives for this to happen.
The Strengths of a Life Filled with the Word of God
1. The Word of God alone can give understanding concerning God’s plan for salvation and eternal life, all of which was purchased by Jesus on the cross: (John 3:16; Eph 2:8-9; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:4,5). The Word of God alone will give an assurance of one’s salvation (John 10:28,29; 1 John 5:13). God’s Word is our great guide in understanding God, and when our life is filled with His Word this will propel us to greater spiritual hunger for God.
2. We Can Understand that the Word of God is the foundation of truth: The Bible is the ultimate source of truth and provides a solid foundation for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
3. When we study God’s Word, we grow in knowledge and understanding becoming deeper in love with Christ, and we grow to understand the character of God, and His promises, and commandments (Psalm 119:105). We will never be filled with the Word of God unless we dedicate ourselves to the reading and study of God’s Word. In a real sense, we “fill ourselves up with the Word of God,” and God fills us with spiritual insights, understanding and revelation of Himself.
4. Spiritual Growth: A consistent life in the Word, coupled with prayer, produces spiritual hunger for God, and spiritual growth and maturity (1 Peter 2:2), and this will result in a love for God’s people, and for those who don’t know Christ.
Why Need This Balance
The Holy Spirit and the Word of God work together in our lives, and the Holy Spirit illuminates the Scriptures, helping believers understand and apply God’s Word, empowering us to live a life of faith (John 14:26). This balance surely aids the church to avoid extremes, for if our focus is solely on the working of the Holy Spirit without the foundation of God’s Word, this may have a tendency to lead us to an over emphasis on emotions and subjective experiences. In contrast however, emphasizing only the “letter” of the Word of God, based on human understanding alone, without the aid of the Holy Spirit, this may lead us into legalism and a lack of spiritual vitality. A healthy balance of “Word and Spirit” will insure the we will be passionate spiritually, doctrinally sound, leading us experience a transformed life in Christ, and to reach the world for Christ.
