Notes From the Pastor's Desk
March 29, 2026
God's Gauges For Spirituality
We can be filled with the right thing or filled with the wrong thing. If you are filled with a spirit of anger, resentment, retaliation, and a desire to hurt others, you are filled with the wrong spirit. What is involved in being filled with the Spirit of God? If He “fills” or “controls” us, we will be what we ought to be in life. Our attitudes and actions will be right if the Holy Ghost controls us rather than the flesh, the world and the devil. There are three evidences in Eph. 5:18-21 that the Spirit of God has filled one's heart.
I. Singing and Speaking
First, there is identification with the Word of God. The Bible says we will speak the Psalms, part of the Word of God. Spirit filled people love to talk about the truths of the Bible more than the weather or leisurely plans. People who neglect the Bible are not filled with the Holy Ghost. Secondly, there is singing from the heart. The Bible speaks of hymns and spiritual songs — singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19). People who are controlled by God's Spirit have a song deep down in their hearts. Critical, cynical, know it all folks, who do not have a song, are not filled with God's spirit. They are filled with themselves.
II. A Thankful Spirit
“Giving thanks always for all things…” (Eph. 5:20). We are to enter into His courts with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise (Psm. 100:4). We should praise God in all circumstances, in every place, at all times. It is easy to find something to praise God for in life. If we do not praise Him we will be griping and complaining. The person who has a true spirit of thanksgiving gives evidence that he or she is filled with the Holy Spirit. Be thankful for spiritual blessings that come down from above and for material blessings we enjoy each day (1 Thess. 5:18). We are to thank God for all things because they work for our good.
III. A Submissive Spirit
Note the words in v. 21 “submitting yourselves”. To “submit” to another is to “put yourself under the authority of another.” The truly Spirit filled person is submissive to God ordained authority in the home, in the workplace and in the church. People who will not submit to God ordained authority had just as well carry a sign around saying, “I'm not filled with the Spirit of God.” Your spirituality is manifested by submission. In regard to these three things, how spiritual are you? What you are comes through in what you think and what you do.