By: Pastor Jarren Rogers

This wasn’t something that happened by accident.

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability” (Acts 2:4).

The only reason the believers in the upper room were able to speak in other languages was because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Thousands were saved that day and heard the Gospel in their own language, and it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for a group of people who humbled themselves before God and allowed themselves to be filled with the Spirit.

I don’t think this is the only event in which this would be true. There are many different things in Scripture that simply would not have happened if it weren’t for a follower of God being filled with the Holy Spirit.

When Paul and Barnabas experienced persecution in Acts 13 it says, “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (v. 52). An impossible act–joy in the midst of trial–made possible by the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Stephen, just before his death, saw heaven opened up and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. How is this possible? He was “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:55).

How was it possible for Peter to stand under the questioning of the council in Jerusalem? “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them. . .” (Acts 4:8).

How was Zachariah able to speak a prophecy about his son John and the one he would prepare the way for? “Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy” (Luke 1:67).

An on and on. Otherwise impossible feats made possible through the people of God, all because they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

In your life, what events, what words, what actions could be prefaced by “filled with the Spirit…” Filled with the Spirit, Joanne called her troubled sister on the phone. Filled with the Spirit, Jake went outside to mow his neighbor’s lawn. Filled with the Spirit, Marcus simply sat with his grieving friend.

On the other hand, what incredible acts has God not been able to do because we are not filled with His Spirit?  “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Paul insinuates that we can be responsible for keeping the Spirit from doing His best work through us.

Not spending time in His presence, failing to pray, not getting into His Word–these things can quench the Spirit in our lives. On the other hand, humility, persecution, difficulty, not being restrained by comfort, openness, perseverance–these are the environments in which the Spirit has room to fill your heart.