We’ve seen how “to be filled with the Spirit” means “singing and making melody in your heart" in the relationship with ourselves, “giving thanks always to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ” in our relationship with God, and “submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord” in our relationships with others.
To be filled with the Spirit is to walk in the Spirit. The walk of a believer is the time between becoming a follower of Jesus and meeting Him in Heaven – time to develop our faith, time to learn obedience, time to submit our egos to God’s will, time in which we strive to become more like Jesus and time to obey His command to be witnesses of His saving grace to the ends of the earth.
“…but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” - Romans 8:5
Some of the core concepts that spiritual leader Emmet Fox wrote about are that one’s mind is called "The Secret Place," with the council chamber where the dealings and arrangements of our lives are made and a drafting room where the destiny of our lives is formed.
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” - Proverbs 23:7
In her devotional "Jesus Calling," Sarah Young writes that the mind is the most unruly, restless part of mankind, e.g., long after you have learned the discipline of holding your tongue, your thoughts defy your will and set themselves up against your good intentions.
Our deepest thoughts, beliefs and intentions shape our characters, our actions and ultimately our destinies. The connection between our inner lives and outward reality is demonstrated in three ways:
1. The Building of Character – our actions are simply the outward expression of our internal thoughts. Over time, the things we allow ourselves to dwell on form our habits and moral dispositions.
2. The Power of Focus – what you focus on expands. If you harbor negative thoughts, you tend to see the world – and act – negatively. Conversely, cultivating positive, virtuous thoughts directs your “walk” toward growth and success.
3. The Necessity of Self-Awareness – Because your thoughts drive your reality, evaluating your internal dialogue is vital. We cannot control what thoughts drift in and out of our minds, but we can control what we do with them. Actively redirecting negative or destructive thoughts can transform our lives by changing our mindset.
This is why A.W. Tozer included this question in his rules for self-discovery:
Rule 3: What do I think about most? Our lives force us to dwell on many ideas throughout the day. We have to think about our work, our bills and our family, among many other things. But there are times when we are lying in bed trying to sleep or driving down the road that our minds are free to wander. In those moments, what do we think about? Do we plan our futures of fame and fortune? Do we rehash an argument in our heads, contemplating what we could have said differently to get the final word? “It is more than likely that our thoughts will cluster about our secret heart treasure, and whatever that is will reveal what/who we are,” Tozer wrote.
Mastering the mind is the key to mastering one’s life. Realizing this power can bring us out of the Land of Egypt and the House of Bondage. It can lead us over the River Jordan and bring us to the Promised Land.
“The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” - Romans 8:6
Be filled with the Spirit; walk in the Spirit.
