When we commit our life to Christ we are given the Holy Spirit to lead us, to teach and to guide us (Eph 1:13-14). What many people do not realize is there is a difference between the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to all believers in Jesus without exception and conditions when there is faith in Jesus Christ (John 7:37-39); this is the indwelling of the Spirit. The Spirit is present, but we must turn on the switch in order for the light to come on. It is then when He changes our lives and the light becomes brighter as we yield more to the Spirit and less to the flesh. The Spirit will teach us and transform us through the word. As the transformation is taking place, we become filled as we worship and praise, and yield to the teaching of the Spirit. Our lives change, as to the content of our conversations, our inner communication and relationship with the Lord increases and we pay more attention to what we allow in our ears and eyes. Being filled, we gain victory over sin, we have peace and joy in our hearts and humility towards others.
When you are filled or walk with the Spirit, you do not carry out the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16). The flesh will always go against the Spirit and Spirit against the flesh. But if you are being led by the Spirit, you have the power to resist the deeds of the flesh (pornography, fornication, strife, idolatry….Gal 5:19-21) and you can crucify the flesh with the help of the Holy Spirit. Also, when you are being led by the spirit, you bear much fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).

Many of us have been filled with the Holy Spirit but have allowed the flesh to win against the Spirit. Some have allowed pride, porn or fornication to take root in their lives. Just like the sin has establish a root, it can be rooted out by increasing the wattage of the light. Darkness cannot overtake the light. Yield to the Spirit of God; He has not left you. Listen to your guide and allow Him to lead you out of the sin. Not only does He lead and guide, He will give you the strength needed to win the battle (Eph 3:16).

Then there are those that profess Jesus as Lord but produce no fruit. In other words, they have the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit does not have them. They may have a routine of going to church but are unable to recall the message. They may pick up a bible but do not spend the time to comprehend or hear the Spirit speak. The communication is limited to prayer only when there are needs in their lives. The Lord does not force Himself on us. We are told or commanded, to be filled by the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 ). The Holy Spirit is ready and willing to fill us at any moment, but we must make ourselves available. Turn on the light switch and ask God to have the Holy Spirit take control, then let Him have the driver’s seat.