"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18, NKJV

Sit-down restaurants are a treat in more ways than one.  Of course, there's the satisfaction of consuming your favorite cuisine, but then there's the added benefit of relieving your household of kitchen duty for a night.  And depending on the restaurant, our family particularly appreciates the abundance of complimentary add-ons:  breadsticks & salad, chips & salsa, after-dinner mints, and the ever-popular ice water.  I know, ice water may not sound too glamorous, but it is pretty special when attentive waiters seem to make it their personal mission to keep filling and refilling a cup that is even slightly emptied.  That kind of service requires vigilance, watchfulness, and a conviction that a full cup is always in a better position to satisfy and refresh than an empty one.  With a similar conviction, Paul urges us to be filled -- and refilled -- with the Spirit so we can be in prime position to give the best of ourselves to others. 

A CONSTANT FILLING

Before we focus on what flows out of the Spirit-filled life, we can't miss the essential dynamics Paul highlights on the receiving end.  First, being "filled with the Spirit" is in contrast to being "drunk with wine" (Eph. 5:18).  Instead of being intoxicated by substances that impair normal function, we have the privilege of being abundantly saturated with God's presence who empowers optimal function.  There are things that compete for possession of our hearts, and the appeal to say YES to the Holy Spirit is at the same time an appeal to say NO to destructive substitutes for Him.  More than that, the original language of the text actually conveys a progressive, continuous sense.  In other words, in light of all that seeks to usurp the throne of our hearts, we need not only to be filled but to keep being filled with the living water of God's Spirit moment by moment, day by day.  Why run on the emptiness of poor counterfeits when we can have unlimited refills of the very presence of God?

A LIFE-GIVING OUTFLOW

In the very same breath, Paul goes from the imperative of being constantly filled with the Spirit to describing several distinct habits that mark that Spirit-filled life.  When God's presence is our constant experience, we'll speak to those around us "in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Eph. 5:19).  

In other words, our fellowship in the body of Christ will not only be social but also deeply spiritual, not only personally satisfying but God-glorifying.  

In addition to how we relate with others, Paul describes how we'll relate to God with enduring gratitude, giving thanks not just sometimes but at all times (cf. v. 20).  When we’re filled with the Spirit, God fills us with awareness of His grace in all things and in all seasons.

Finally, Paul wraps up this list of what flows out of the Spirit-filled life with a radical description of how we relate to each other in Christ-centered relationships -- whether in our homes, our churches, or whatever relational circles we long for God's presence to fill.  Believers in whom God's Spirit continuously dwells will submit "to one another in the fear of God" (Eph. 5:21).  Wow, when we’re filled with God’s Spirit, we will be so emptied of self that we won't feel driven to exalt ourselves over others but submit ourselves to one another.  It's not a one-sided submission but a mutual giving of ourselves to protect and uphold each other's dignity and needs.  A life-giving outflow indeed.  

This is the life God longs to live out through us.  Will we let Him?  Our gracious God stands at the ready to fill and refill our thirsty hearts.  And when we let Him, "out of our hearts will flow rivers of living water" (Jn. 7:38).