Let's talk Spirit: Sealed versus Filled

I believe many have the wrong idea of what being "filled" with the Holy Spirit means, and how all that works. It is a correct understanding that when we believe in Jesus Christ, and confess Him as our Lord, we receive the Holy Spirit. Let's clarify this very important instance:

2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

By looking above, we can see that we are sealed with/by the Spirit, he comes into us giving us an earnest of Eternal Life in our hearts. God's Spirit is freely given to us when we hear of Jesus Christ and believe upon Him, having Faith in Him. But then what does being filled mean? To start, lets see how and when the disciples received the Holy Spirit (also called the Holy Ghost).

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

This happened shortly before Jesus left and ascends to the right hand of the Father. He breaths the Holy Spirit He had dwelling inside Him, onto the disciples, and told them they will have power to do amazing things through the Father's Spirit He promised to send after He left. So they actually did receive the Spirit BEFORE Jesus had the Father God send His spirit down to all who would believe on Christ in Faith.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Now, when the disciples were together after Christ ascended, the promise from Christ of the "coming" of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled when He poured Himself out, INTO all of them simultaneously. This interaction of the Spirit with these believers in Christ is called the "FILLING" of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This event represents something that every believer can partake in. However this first event is very special, as it alone represents the "coming" of the Holy Ghost. And WOW, did He make an entrance! Yet, speaking in tongues is scriptural prominent proof that His filling has occurred, and is actually a fulfillment of prophecy. (Notice that when Jesus breathed on the disciples, they did not speak in tongues. It was not until they were "filled" that this prophecy was fulfilled.)

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

So when we receive the sealing of the Holy Spirit, when we are saved, often there is no speaking in tongues (although it does happen). But there are huge amounts that later go on to receive the "filling" of the Spirit and talk in tongues or display other scriptural signs like prophesying or healing ect.

But, does this filling stay "on" or is it more like receiving then using then receiving again? Actually, I have found that it is like the latter. Allow me to speak a parable to explain the filling of the Holy Ghost.

Whereunto shall we liken the filling of the Holy Ghost, and whereunto should I resemble it? It is like a pitcher that sits empty on a shelf until other small vessels approach. God provides His wine and fills the pitcher to overflowing and then immediately empties it completely into all those smaller vessels nearby. Then, when more vessels arrive, He fills it again and pours it out into the new vessels who are in need of His wine.

The empty pitcher represents those that have received the earnest of the Spirit. They have the ability to be used by God for amazing things like to pour out great spiritual gifts upon their Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, and in Loving their neighbor. The small vessels are those in need of spiritual gifts, like healing, a comforting from the Lord, prophecy, edification, and tongues, just to name a few. The wine is the FILLING POWER of the Spirit that overflows in our hearts when we are "filled", whereby we then begin acting upon that filling. Looking at Acts 2, right after Peter was filled, he (and the others) began pouring out that filling upon all those listening, and many thousands were saved!

But did they then continue walking around filled? No. After one is filled, they can experience a great emptying of physical strength and mental strength. It is physically and emotionally draining! So if this continued constantly, it would end up detrimental to its own effect. So after resting, we seek again to be filled, and once again, He fills us with His power and we go about His service once again. So His filling is like a tool that is used when God needs us to be His vessel for specific people or events.

For those that have not experienced anything like this, you can have it! And scripture is also clear that not everyone receives the same spiritual gifts within the process. BUT, every believing man has a promise that they can partake in these gifts. The Spirit gets to decide what gifts you will get.

1 Cor 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

So how do we receive this amazing promise? Simple... Understand that is IS for us now and for YOU specifically. Fall in love with Jesus, as He is the one who has made all this possible. Next, seek and ye shall find... Study the scriptures about this filling for yourself. Then pray that the Lord God give you the promises that you just sought out and really want to taste for yourself. Ensure that you are asking in Jesus name, because he promised us that we will receive what we ask for, because we love Him.

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

John 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

I hope you can receive and experience the true power of the Spirit that resides in us who have fallen in love with Jesus Christ, our coming Bridegroom. God bless!