What do cars, cell phones, and water jugs all have in common? They’re most effective when they’re filled or charged with what they need. When they’re empty, they lose their ability to function as intended.

In a similar, yet far more important way, followers of Jesus are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

As Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, he gives a simple yet profound command: “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

There’s more packed into those few words than we might realize. In the original Greek, “be filled” carries four important ideas: present, plural, passive, and imperative.

It’s present—meaning this isn’t a one-time experience, but an ongoing way of life. We need the Spirit’s filling today, tomorrow, and every day after that.

It’s plural—Paul isn’t speaking to one individual or a select group of spiritual people. He’s speaking to the church. We are all called to be filled with the Spirit.

It’s passive—we don’t manufacture the Spirit’s filling through our own effort. We receive as we surrender ourselves to Him.

And it’s imperative—this isn’t merely a suggestion for the Christian life. It’s a command.

In other words, every follower of Jesus is commanded to continually surrender to the filling and influence of the Holy Spirit.

That word influence helps us understand what Paul says next.

He contrasts being filled with the Spirit with being drunk with wine. Why? When someone is intoxicated, something has come under the influence of something else. Paul says, in essence, don’t allow wine to control you; allow the Spirit to fill, influence, and guide your heart and steps.

One leads toward foolishness and sin; the other leads toward wisdom, worship, gratitude, and Christlike relationships.

And when we are not living under the Spirit’s influence, we leave ourselves open to being influenced by something else—our flesh, our desires, our culture, or the voices around us.

So what does a Spirit-filled life look like?

The verses that follow give us a beautiful picture: worship, thanksgiving, community, and submission to one another (Ephesians 5:19–21). As we open God’s Word, confess sin, worship, pray, and surrender ourselves to God, we continually position our lives under the Spirit’s influence and we’re filled.

The question isn’t whether you’re being influenced, but what is influencing you most.

Who or what is the primary influence in your life today?

Be filled with the Spirit. Surrender to His influence and allow Him to lead and empower you every step of the way.

Take a few quiet minutes today and pray: “Holy Spirit, fill me and show me what has been influencing me more than You.” Surrender whatever He brings to mind and choose to follow His lead.