Q&A with Pastor Chris - How Can I be Filled with the Holy Spirit?

Q&A with Pastor Chris - How can I be Filled with the Holy Spirit?

Question: I have tried my best to make sure that I am filled with the Holy Spirit, so Pastor, what is the problem with me?

Answer: Now, I’ve just talked about that. I’ve just talked about that. Now, remember, Jesus said “…if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” [Matthew 7:11]. Now, one of the problems that we have observed around the world with a lot of people is that even after that they have asked for the Holy Spirit [some even have fasted and prayed for the Holy Spirit], they still, somehow, don’t believe they have received the Holy Spirit because they are listening for something. You know, maybe, thinking that a voice would just speak through them to speak in other tongues, particularly. They’re thinking a voice will just force their mouth open. They think “If I’ve received the Holy Spirit, then the Holy Spirit should speak through me and speak in tongues”. No! When we speak in other tongues, it’s not the Holy Spirit that’s speaking in tongues; it’s our spirit that’s speaking in other tongues. It’s our spirit – that’s what the Bible says. So, it says “If I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful” [1 Corinthians 14:14-15]. It is my spirit that is praying, and my understanding is unfruitful. So, [continues quoting 1 Corinthians 14:14-15] “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I’ll sing with the Spirit, and I’ll sing with the understanding also.”So, it’s our spirit that prays in other tongues, not the Holy Spirit himself. But the Holy Spirit gives us the ability. He gives us the language. So when you receive the Holy Spirit, He puts that language in your spirit; He puts the ability within you. So don’t wait for a voice – act by faith! It’s like walking on water. You remember Jesus walked on water, and Peter said “Master, if you are the one, ask me to come to you on the water” and Jesus said “Come” [Matthew 14:26-29]. And Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus. So that’s what you do – you step out in faith, like the Bible says, “Open your mouth, and I will fill it” [Psalm 81:10]. So you have to trust that when you asked God for the Holy Spirit, He gave you the Holy Spirit; you don’t need to ask twice. If you ask once, God hears you. He’s more willing to give you the Holy Spirit than you are willing to receive the Holy Spirit. Trust that, and so believe that, and act accordingly. And begin to say: “I have the Holy Spirit!”

Now, for example, did you know it’s the same faith that we exercise in salvation that we need to exercise in receiving the Holy Spirit? If I asked you now, “Have you received salvation?” You’d say “yes”. If I asked you, “Have you received Christ into your heart?” You’d say “yes”. Then, how do you know? You’d say “Because I asked, and according to the Word of God, I believed, and I received.” That’s the same thing you’re supposed to do about the Holy Spirit. See? And then He will confirm that faith by granting you his divine presence. Don’t wait till you feel something physical – you don’t need to feel anything physical. It’s an act of faith on your part, and it will be made real to your spirit. Praise God!