Shalom,

This posting is based out of a false understanding of being a CHRISTian for it states...

Quote:

WHY LIVE THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE? All too often, Christians try to accomplish things in their own will and by their own power – apart from the Spirit of God. This is futile! We all need God's help in living and to try to do something for God without His Spirit is useless. Far too many people create more damage than good by doing things without the aid of the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit needs to be a key figure in every facet of our lives – that means marriage, work, family, school, church, and especially evangelism. Ask God to take control in more areas of your life as you seek to be Spirit-filled each day. You will know the blessing almost immediately.

You are not and cannot "LIVE THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE" unless you are filled and led by the HOLY SPIRIT.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
It would appear from the onset, that this article was written by someone who really doesn't understand what it is to be filled with the SPIRIT of YHVH. They probably are confusing being "born again" by the SPIRIT and being filled with and led by the SPIRIT. Another way of saying this is that they have made Y'SHUA SAVIOUR but not LORD except in their mind. Prior to the Book of Acts the Disciples had made Y'SHUA their SAVIOUR and they were led by HIM. In the Book of Acts 2:1-4 they become filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and then are led by the SPIRIT.

Semachiah wrote:

Shalom, This posting is based out of a false understanding of being a CHRISTian for it states... Quote: WHY LIVE THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE? All too often, Christians try to accomplish things in their own will and by their own power – apart from the Spirit of God. This is futile! We all need God's help in living and to try to do something for God without His Spirit is useless. Far too many people create more damage than good by doing things without the aid of the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit needs to be a key figure in every facet of our lives – that means marriage, work, family, school, church, and especially evangelism. Ask God to take control in more areas of your life as you seek to be Spirit-filled each day. You will know the blessing almost immediately. You are not and cannot "LIVE THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE" unless you are filled and led by the HOLY SPIRIT. Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. It would appear from the onset, that this article was written by someone who really doesn't understand what it is to be filled with the SPIRIT of YHVH. They probably are confusing being "born again" by the SPIRIT and being filled with and led by the SPIRIT. Another way of saying this is that they have made Y'SHUA SAVIOUR but not LORD except in their mind. Prior to the Book of Acts the Disciples had made Y'SHUA their SAVIOUR and they were led by HIM. In the Book of Acts 2:1-4 they become filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and then are led by the SPIRIT.

i don't see a problem with the article and i have no problem with you say also. could you elucidate the problem see?

Shalom,

I thought that my initial response illustrated what I meant by this but maybe I need to explain it more?

Jhn 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.
Jhn 20:20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them [his] hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Jhn 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Jhn 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Jhn 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.
The writer of the original article in question is confusing being "Born of" the SPIRIT with being "filled in" the SPIRIT.

When we are "Born Again" we are "Born of" the SPIRIT of YHVH. We are just like how Y'SHUA was when HE was "Born of" the flesh (Mary) and of the SPIRIT. When we become "filled in" the SPIRIT it is what happened when Y'SHUA came up out of the waters at HIS baptism by John when the SPIRIT was seen as a DOVE descending upon HIM. It is what happens in Acts 2:1-5 when the Disciples are noticed speaking in tongues. It is what is continually happening throughout the Book of Acts as miracles (signs and wonders) follow them that believe as they walk in the SPIRIT of YHVH. It is these who are walking in this HOLY SPIRIT filled life that.

The original article supposes a melding of the two. That it is possible to "accomplish things in their own will and by their own power apart from the SPIRIT of YHVH". I guess a question that I would have is, "What does the writer suppose to be meant by the word, 'accomplish'?"
There is a day to come where the truth shall become evident but by then it will be too late!
Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
~~~
Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.
~~~
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
~~~
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

why do you think so many christians that are born of the Spirit never get filled with the Spirit?

Shalom,

The primary reason is a misunderstanding.

Second false teaching and fear. They have heard of the spirit filled Pentacostals that "rolled in the aisles" of church and thus were called "Holy rollers" and they don't want anything to do with being in that stereotype. They have seen to many "so-called' on TV and they don't want to become a huckster. They have heard too many other people declare it to be phoney and thus their fear builds that they will do whatever just to fit in and thus they too will be a phoney. They have been taught that it isn't for the church today, that it ceased when the (original) Apostles died.

Third, they don't know and properly understand the Word of YHVH.

Fourth, they are afraid to give up their "self" to serve YHVH 24/7/365.

The list might go on forever but this seems to be enough.

i think the #1 reason is that most are 'christians in name only,' after that the next bigest group would be those that are more concerned about their religion than their relationship, then the group that feels that once they think they are 'saved' then there's nothing else to seek, but i don't want to talk about those crowds, those are the hardest folks to wake up to the truth and i don't think that they are really "born of the Spirit."

i'm thinking about the ones that truely want a relationship with God and desire to be filled with the Spirit. is it because there are no examples to follow, lack of scripture knowlege(which i doubt because this would be the group that does read the scriptures, have an active prayer life, fast, etc.), or just so much manure being spread that they can't wade through it, a combination of these factors, or something i missed alltogether?

Shalom,

Quote:

i'm thinking about the ones that truely want a relationship with God and desire to be filled with the Spirit. is it because there are no examples to follow, lack of scripture knowlege(which i doubt because this would be the group that does read the scriptures, have an active prayer life, fast, etc.), or just so much manure being spread that they can't wade through it, a combination of these factors, or something i missed alltogether?

This speaks to it fairly well!

"manure being spread that they can't wade through it"
This is what causes a lack of Scriptural knowledge. They may read the Bible all day and yet still not understand what it says because of "Traditon" (Mk 7:13) or as you stated it "manure". They may truly desire more and all of YHVH but the "tradition" is keeping at bay the "power of YHVH".
Mar 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

i prefer 'manure' because it's a sticky, smelly, excreation that after a time can be incinerated. it hides and can get on you even if your trying your best to avoid it.

what else does scripture lay out as ways of being filled with the Spirit? what can we learn about becomming filled from the scriptures?

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Acts 4: ... 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 8: 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.