Is there a difference between indwelling and infilling?
Every Christian has the Holy Spirit. That’s not up for debate—it’s a clear promise in Scripture. But the Bible also commands believers to be filled with the Spirit. So if the Spirit already lives in us - why the need for the command to be filled with the Spirit? Well, it’s not just a theological detail. There’s a crucial difference—between indwelling and infilling. And understanding that difference can shape how you walk with God every single day.
Welcome back to Word for Word, I'm Austin Duncan. Over these past few weeks, we've been exploring foundational aspects of the Christian faith – from salvation to spiritual growth, from essential doctrine to the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Today, we're diving into a question that many believers wrestle with, often without even realizing it: "Is there a difference between the indwelling and the infilling of the Holy Spirit?"
This might sound like theological hair-splitting at first, but I assure you, understanding this distinction can transform your daily walk with God. It's the difference between owning a powerful smartphone but never turning it on, versus actually using all its capabilities. The difference between having a fire extinguisher in your home, versus knowing how to use it when flames appear. Just last week, we explored what it means to say that the Holy Spirit is in you – looking at the fundamental reality of the Spirit's presence in the life of every believer. Today, we're building directly on that foundation to understand not just the Spirit's presence, but His power – not just His residence, but His influence.
So let's establish right from the start what we're talking about: While every genuine believer has the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence from the moment of salvation, the infilling is an ongoing experience of yielding to and being empowered by the Spirit.
Understanding the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
To grasp the difference between indwelling and infilling, we need to first be crystal clear about what the indwelling of the Holy Spirit actually is. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the permanent residence of God Himself within the believer from the moment of salvation. It's not something we earn or develop – it's a gift given at the instant of genuine conversion.
The Biblical Foundation for Indwelling
The Bible is abundantly clear that every true believer in Jesus Christ has the Holy Spirit living within them. Romans 8:9 says,
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”
This verse makes a striking statement – if you don't have the Spirit dwelling in you, you don't belong to Christ. In other words, having the Spirit isn't optional for Christians; it's the defining mark of being a Christian in the first place. There's no such thing as a genuine believer without the indwelling Spirit.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul asks,
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Here, Paul is reminding Christians that their physical bodies are now the dwelling place of God's Spirit. This isn't something they need to achieve; it's something he's telling them they already possess. This indwelling represents a dramatic shift from what we see in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament era, the Spirit would come upon people for specific purposes but didn't permanently reside within believers as a universal experience. The Spirit empowered certain individuals for leadership (like the judges), inspired prophets to speak God's word, and occasionally filled artisans for particular tasks (like Bezalel in constructing the tabernacle), but His presence was not a permanent indwelling in every believer.
David, after his sin with Bathsheba, pleaded,
“Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.”
This prayer makes sense in an Old Testament context where the Spirit could be given and taken away, but it's not a prayer New Testament believers need to pray because the indwelling is permanent. Jesus Himself highlighted this coming change when He told His disciples in John 14:16-17:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
Notice the shift Jesus describes – from the Spirit being "with" them to the Spirit being "in" them. This is the difference between the Old Testament experience and the New Testament reality.
When Does the Indwelling Begin?
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit begins at the moment of salvation. When a person genuinely places their faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of their sin and trusting Him for salvation, the Holy Spirit immediately takes up residence in their life.
In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul writes,
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory."
The sequence here is clear: hear the gospel → believe → receive the Spirit as a seal. There's no waiting period, no second step, no additional requirement. The Spirit's indwelling is part of the salvation package. This indwelling is what theologians call the "baptism of the Holy Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:13 tells us,
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
Notice two things about this verse:
First, it uses the past tense – "we were all baptized" – indicating it has already happened for all believers.
Second, it includes the word "all" twice, emphasizing that every Christian, without exception, has experienced this baptism.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a post-conversion experience that only some Christians receive. It's the initial work of the Spirit placing believers into the body of Christ at salvation. By this baptism, we are united with Christ and with each other as members of His church.
The Purpose of the Indwelling
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit serves several vital purposes in the life of a believer:
The Spirit confirms our salvation – Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." The indwelling Spirit gives believers an internal witness of their adoption into God's family.
The Spirit guarantees our inheritance – Ephesians 1:14 calls the Spirit a "deposit guaranteeing our inheritance." Like a down payment, the Spirit's presence assures us that God will fulfill all His promises to us.
The Spirit transforms our nature – The moment we receive Christ, the Spirit begins the work of regeneration, giving us a new heart and new desires. Ezekiel 36:26-27 prophesied this: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
The Spirit unites us with the body of Christ – Through the Spirit's indwelling, we are connected not just to God but to other believers as well. We become part of the universal church, the body of Christ.
The Spirit makes us temples of God – As we've seen in 1 Corinthians 6:19, our bodies literally become temples where God dwells. This radically changes how we view ourselves and how we treat our bodies.
The Permanent Nature of the Indwelling
It's crucial to understand that the Spirit's indwelling is permanent. Once the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the life of a believer, He never leaves. This is why Paul can confidently tell the Ephesians that they were "sealed" with the Holy Spirit. In ancient times, a seal represented ownership, protection, and authenticity. When God seals us with His Spirit, He is marking us as His own, protecting us as His possession, and authenticating us as genuine believers.
John 14:16 reinforces this permanence when Jesus promises that the Spirit
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”
The Spirit doesn't move in and out depending on our performance; He has taken up permanent residence in our lives. This doesn't mean we can't grieve or quench the Spirit through sin and disobedience. Paul, in Ephesians 4:30, warns,
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Then flip over to 1 Thessalonians 5:19, where Paul similarly cautions,
“Do not quench the Spirit.”
Our sin can hinder the Spirit's work in our lives, but it doesn't cause Him to pack up and leave. Think of it like this: If your teenage son makes a mess in his room and refuses to clean it up, you might be grieved by his behavior and your relationship might be strained, but you don't disown him or kick him out of the family. He's still your son, even when fellowship is broken. Similarly, the Spirit remains in believers even when fellowship is hindered by sin.
To summarize what we've learned about indwelling:
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the permanent residence of God in the believer.
It begins at the moment of salvation and is true of all genuine believers.
It serves multiple purposes, including confirming our salvation, guaranteeing our inheritance, transforming our nature, uniting us with the body of Christ, and making us temples of God.
It is permanent – the Spirit never leaves the believer, though sin can grieve Him and hinder His work.
The Nature of the Infilling
Now that we've established what the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is, we can better understand what the infilling is and how it differs. The infilling refers to the ongoing experience of being influenced, empowered, and controlled by the Holy Spirit who already indwells us.
The Biblical Foundation for Infilling
The key biblical text for understanding the infilling of the Spirit is Ephesians 5:18:
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”
The Greek grammar in this verse is extremely revealing. The command "be filled" is, πληροῦσθε (plēroústhe), and is in the present tense, indicating an ongoing action, not a one-time event. It could be translated, "Be being filled" or "Keep on being filled." This stands in stark contrast to the indwelling, which happens once at salvation. Additionally, it is in the passive voice, suggesting that we don't fill ourselves with the Spirit – we allow ourselves to be filled. And it's in the imperative mood, meaning it's a command, not a suggestion. God is instructing us to continually allow ourselves to be filled with the Spirit who already resides within us. Let’s take it a step further. This word, "filled" (πληροῦσθε, plēroústhe), itself conveys the idea of being controlled or influenced. This becomes clearer when we consider the context of the verse. Earlier, Paul writes, "Do not get drunk with wine" (μεθύσκεσθε, methýskesthe), which also carries the idea of being influenced or controlled by alcohol. And this analogy is particularly insightful. When someone is drunk, alcohol affects their speech, their emotions, their physical coordination, and their decision-making. Similarly, when a believer is filled with the Spirit, the Spirit influences every aspect of their life – their words, emotions, actions, and choices.
Other passages show this infilling as a recurring experience. In Acts 4:31, believers who had already received the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2) were filled again:
“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Similarly, Paul, who already had the indwelling Spirit from his conversion, was "filled with the Holy Spirit" before confronting Elymas the sorcerer in Acts 13:9. These examples demonstrate that the filling of the Spirit isn't a one-time event but a repeatable experience that empowers believers for specific needs and circumstances.
The Difference Between Indwelling and Infilling
Now we can clearly see the distinction between indwelling and infilling:
Timing: The indwelling happens once at salvation; the infilling is a continuous, repeatable experience throughout the Christian life.
Nature: The indwelling is about the Spirit's presence; the infilling is about the Spirit's influence and power.
Universality: The indwelling is true of all believers without exception; the infilling varies from believer to believer and from moment to moment based on submission and yielding to the Spirit.
Control: The indwelling is entirely God's work that we receive; the infilling involves our cooperation as we yield control to the Spirit.
Command: We are never commanded to be indwelt by the Spirit (it happens automatically at salvation); we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit continually.
Think of it this way: The indwelling is like having a powerful person move into your house, while the infilling is like giving that person access to every room and allowing them to direct all the activities. The person is present either way, but their influence depends on how much access and authority you grant them.
The Purpose of the Infilling
While the indwelling is primarily about relationship and identity (making us children of God and temples of the Spirit), the infilling is primarily about empowerment for Christian living and service.
When believers are filled with the Spirit, several things happen:
They receive power for witness – Jesus promised in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The infilling emboldens believers to share their faith and testify about Jesus.
They experience transformation of character – The Spirit produces His fruit in the lives of yielded believers: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).
They gain victory over sin – Romans 8:13 says, "if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." The Spirit's filling enables believers to overcome temptation and live in obedience to God.
They receive guidance in decision-making – The filled believer is sensitive to the Spirit's leading and guidance. Romans 8:14 tells us, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."
They experience supernatural enablement for ministry – The Spirit distributes gifts for service (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and empowers believers to use them effectively when they are filled with Him.
They worship God with grateful hearts – Ephesians 5:19-20, immediately following the command to be filled with the Spirit, describes Spirit-filled believers as "speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit" and "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything."
The Variable Nature of the Infilling
Unlike the indwelling, which is constant, the infilling can vary in degree and intensity. Consider these examples from Scripture:
In Luke 1:15, John the Baptist was said to be "filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born," indicating an exceptional filling from his earliest days.
In Acts 6:3, when choosing men to serve tables, the apostles looked for those who were "full of the Spirit and wisdom," suggesting that some believers demonstrated a greater fullness of the Spirit than others.
In Acts 7:55, as Stephen faced martyrdom, he was described as "full of the Holy Spirit" in a particularly intense way that enabled him to see a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
These examples show that the filling of the Spirit can vary from person to person and from situation to situation. Some believers consistently demonstrate a greater fullness of the Spirit in their lives, while others experience powerful but temporary fillings for specific tasks or challenges.
This variable nature explains why some Christians seem to exhibit more of the Spirit's power and fruit than others, despite the fact that all believers have the indwelling Spirit. The difference lies not in possession of the Spirit but in yielding to and being filled with the Spirit.
Biblical Examples of Indwelling and Infilling
To better understand the distinction between indwelling and infilling, let's examine some key examples from Scripture that illustrate both concepts.
The Disciples' Experience
The disciples provide a perfect case study for understanding the difference between the indwelling and the infilling of the Spirit.
In John 20:22, after His resurrection but before His ascension, Jesus appeared to His disciples and said, "'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" This moment likely represents the disciples receiving the indwelling Spirit, becoming regenerate believers in the full New Testament sense.
However, despite this indwelling, Jesus told them to wait for something more. In Acts 1:4-5, He instructed them, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Then in Acts 1:8, He specifically described what this Spirit baptism would accomplish: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
This promise was fulfilled dramatically at Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4: "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
This was not the disciples receiving the Spirit for the first time but being filled with the Spirit in a powerful way that equipped them for the mission Jesus had given them. It fulfilled Jesus' promise of power for witness – and indeed, Peter immediately preached a sermon that resulted in about 3,000 people being saved.
What's particularly instructive is that this wasn't the only time the disciples were filled with the Spirit. In Acts 4:31, after facing opposition and praying together, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." This was a fresh filling for a new challenge, demonstrating the ongoing, repeatable nature of the Spirit's filling.
Paul's Experience
The apostle Paul also illustrates the difference between indwelling and infilling. At his conversion on the Damascus road (Acts 9), Paul encountered the risen Christ and became a believer. Three days later, Ananias laid hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17).
This initial filling empowered Paul for his ministry and was likely when he received the indwelling Spirit. But later, in Acts 13:9, as Paul confronted Elymas the sorcerer, we read, "Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said..." This was a fresh filling for a specific situation, enabling Paul to exercise spiritual authority in a challenging moment.
The Early Church Pattern
Throughout the book of Acts, we see a pattern of believers being both indwelt and repeatedly filled with the Spirit. At Pentecost, about 3,000 people were saved and received the Spirit (Acts 2:38-41). Later, another group of believers in Samaria received the Spirit through the laying on of hands by Peter and John (Acts 8:14-17). The Gentiles in Cornelius's house received the Spirit as they heard and believed the gospel (Acts 10:44-48).
In each of these cases, the indwelling of the Spirit was connected to salvation, but subsequent fillings empowered believers for specific ministry needs and challenges. The early church understood that while all believers had the Spirit, they needed to be continually filled with the Spirit to effectively serve God and navigate the difficulties they faced.
Old Testament Contrasts
To fully appreciate the New Testament reality of both indwelling and infilling, it's helpful to contrast it with the Old Testament experience of the Spirit.
In the Old Testament, the Spirit would come upon people for specific purposes but didn't permanently indwell believers as a universal experience. For example:
Bezalel was filled with the Spirit specifically for craftsmanship in building the tabernacle (Exodus 31:3).
The judges were empowered by the Spirit for leadership and military victory (e.g., Othniel in Judges 3:10, Gideon in Judges 6:34, Samson in Judges 14:6).
Saul experienced the Spirit coming upon him when he was made king (1 Samuel 10:10), but later "the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul" (1 Samuel 16:14).
David was anointed with the Spirit when chosen as king (1 Samuel 16:13) but later feared losing the Spirit after his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51:11).
This temporary, task-specific experience of the Spirit's power in the Old Testament is more akin to what we call the "infilling" in the New Testament. The main difference is that in the New Testament, the infilling is built upon the foundation of permanent indwelling, which wasn't universally available before Pentecost.
Practical Application: Living with Both Indwelling and Infilling
Understanding the distinction between the Spirit's indwelling and infilling isn't just theoretical – it has profound practical implications for daily Christian living. Let's explore how we can apply these truths in our lives.
Recognizing the Reality of Indwelling
First, if you are a genuine believer in Jesus Christ, you need to recognize and rest in the reality that the Holy Spirit already dwells within you. You don't need to beg God to give you His Spirit – He already has! This truth should give you confidence and assurance in your relationship with God.
The indwelling Spirit is:
Your seal of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Your internal witness of adoption (Romans 8:16)
Your connection to the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)
Your guarantee of inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:22)
Your source of new life (Titus 3:5)
Take a moment to thank God for this incredible gift. The Creator of the universe has taken up residence in your life! Your body is literally a temple of the Holy Spirit. This reality should transform how you view yourself and how you treat your body.
But while you should celebrate the Spirit's indwelling presence, don't stop there. The indwelling is just the beginning of what God wants to do in your life through His Spirit.
Seeking the Spirit's Filling
Since the filling of the Spirit is commanded in Scripture (Ephesians 5:18), we should actively seek it. But how do we do this? The Bible provides several principles:
Yield to the Spirit's control – Being filled with the Spirit requires surrendering control of your life to Him. This means consciously submitting your thoughts, desires, words, and actions to His influence. Romans 12:1 calls this offering your body as a "living sacrifice," which is your "reasonable service."
Remove barriers to filling – Sin grieves the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and can hinder His filling work. First John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Regular confession and repentance keep the channels clear for the Spirit's filling.
Walk by the Spirit – Galatians 5:16 instructs, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Walking by the Spirit means making choices moment by moment in dependence on Him rather than relying on your own wisdom and strength.
Feed on God's Word – The Spirit works through the Word to fill and transform us. Colossians 3:16 closely parallels Ephesians 5:18-19, suggesting that being filled with the Word and being filled with the Spirit lead to similar results: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Pray for filling – Jesus said in Luke 11:13, "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" While all believers have the indwelling Spirit, we can and should pray for fresh fillings of the Spirit for specific needs and circumstances.
Expect the Spirit to work – Faith is an essential element in experiencing the Spirit's filling. When we approach God with confidence that He will empower us according to His promises, we position ourselves to experience the Spirit's fullness.
Living Out the Spirit's Filling
When we are filled with the Spirit, certain evidences will appear in our lives. Based on Ephesians 5:18-21 and other passages, we can identify several marks of Spirit-filled living:
Worship and thanksgiving – Spirit-filled believers are characterized by hearts full of worship, praise, and gratitude: "speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything" (Ephesians 5:19-20).
Mutual submission – The filling of the Spirit produces humility and a willingness to serve others: "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21).
Bold witness – Throughout Acts, Spirit-filled believers speak God's word with boldness (Acts 4:31) and effectively testify about Jesus (Acts 1:8).
Christlike character – The fruit of the Spirit – "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23) – increasingly manifests in the life of a Spirit-filled believer.
Effective service – The Spirit's filling empowers believers to serve using their spiritual gifts for the building up of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
Victory over sin – Romans 8:13 promises that "if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." The filling of the Spirit enables believers to overcome temptation and live in holiness.
Supernatural wisdom and guidance – Spirit-filled believers receive direction and insight beyond their natural capabilities (Acts 13:2, 16:6-10).
Maintaining the Spirit's Filling
Since the filling of the Spirit is a continuous, ongoing experience rather than a one-time event, we need to develop habits that maintain this filling:
Daily surrender – Begin each day by consciously yielding control of your life to the Holy Spirit. Acknowledge His presence within you and invite His influence over every aspect of your day.
Regular self-examination – Take time to examine your heart for attitudes and actions that might be grieving the Spirit. Psalm 139:23-24 provides a helpful prayer: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Prompt confession – When the Spirit convicts you of sin, confess it immediately rather than allowing it to hinder your relationship with God. Maintain short accounts with God.
Consistent intake of Scripture – Feed your mind and heart with God's Word daily, allowing the Spirit to use Scripture to transform your thinking and direct your choices.
Continuous prayer – Maintain an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day, acknowledging your dependence on Him and seeking His guidance in all things.
Fellowship with believers – Regularly engage with other Christians for mutual encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth. The Spirit often works through the body of Christ to fill and empower individual believers.
Obedience to the Spirit's promptings – When you sense the Spirit leading you to speak, act, or refrain from something, respond with immediate obedience. James 4:17 reminds us, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them."
Common Questions and Concerns
As we explore the distinction between indwelling and infilling, several questions commonly arise. Let's address some of these to provide clarity and practical guidance.
Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit the Same as Indwelling or Infilling?
This question often causes confusion because different theological traditions use the term "baptism of the Holy Spirit" in different ways. Based on a careful study of Scripture, the baptism of the Holy Spirit refers to the initial work of the Spirit placing believers into the body of Christ at salvation – what we've described as the indwelling.
First Corinthians 12:13 is the clearest verse on this: "For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." Note the inclusive language ("all") and the past tense ("were baptized"), indicating this is a universal experience of all believers that has already occurred.
Some traditions use the term "baptism of the Holy Spirit" to describe a post-conversion experience of empowerment, which is more akin to what we've described as the infilling. While the terminology differs, the biblical reality remains: all believers have the indwelling Spirit from the moment of salvation, and all believers are commanded to be continuously filled with that same Spirit for power and effectiveness in Christian living.
Can I Lose the Holy Spirit?
As we've seen, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is permanent. Jesus promised that the Spirit would be with us "forever" (John 14:16), and Paul described the Spirit as the seal guaranteeing our inheritance "until the redemption of those who are God's possession" (Ephesians 1:14).
Unlike Old Testament believers like Saul and David, who could experience the Spirit coming upon them and later departing, New Testament believers have the Spirit's permanent presence. This doesn't mean we can't grieve or quench the Spirit through sin, but it does mean the Spirit doesn't pack up and leave when we fail.
The security of the Spirit's indwelling should give us great comfort. God hasn't left our salvation in our fragile hands but has guaranteed it by the presence of His Spirit. As Jesus declared in John 10:28-29, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."
How Do I Know if I Have the Indwelling Spirit?
Since the indwelling Spirit is given to all believers at salvation, the question of whether you have the indwelling Spirit is essentially the question of whether you are truly saved. Scripture provides several indicators:
Faith in Jesus Christ – The fundamental condition for receiving the Spirit is genuine faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord (John 7:37-39, Galatians 3:2, 14).
Internal witness – Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." There is an inner confirmation that we belong to God.
Changed desires – Those who have the Spirit begin to desire the things of God and find themselves at war with sin (Romans 8:5-9).
Fruit of the Spirit – Over time, the indwelling Spirit produces His fruit in our lives: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).
Love for other believers – First John 3:14 tells us, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other."
If you have genuinely placed your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, you can be confident that you have the indwelling Holy Spirit, regardless of your feelings or experiences.
How Do I Know if I'm Filled with the Spirit?
Unlike the indwelling, which is constant for all believers, the filling of the Spirit is variable and may fluctuate in our experience. How can we know if we're currently filled with the Spirit? Here are some indicators:
Power for witness – Are you able to speak about Jesus with clarity and boldness? The primary purpose of the Spirit's filling in Acts was to empower witness (Acts 1:8, 4:31).
Victory over sin – Are you experiencing increasing freedom from habitual sin? The filling of the Spirit empowers believers to "put to death the misdeeds of the body" (Romans 8:13).
Joy and thanksgiving – Are you characterized by joy and gratitude even in difficult circumstances? Spirit-filled believers are marked by these qualities (Ephesians 5:18-20).
Love and unity – Are you able to love difficult people and maintain unity with other believers? The filling of the Spirit produces supernatural love (Galatians 5:22).
Sensitivity to the Spirit's leading – Do you sense the Spirit's guidance in decisions and ministry opportunities? Spirit-filled believers are led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14).
Effective ministry – Are you seeing God work through you to impact others? The filling of the Spirit empowers believers for effective service.
These indicators aren't meant to discourage us but to help us assess where we might need to yield more fully to the Spirit's control.
Is Speaking in Tongues the Evidence of Being Filled with the Spirit?
This question has been debated extensively among Christians, with some traditions teaching that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of being filled with the Spirit. Let's look carefully at what Scripture says.
In Acts, we find instances where Spirit filling and tongues speaking occurred together (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6), but we also find instances where people were filled with the Spirit with no mention of tongues (Acts 4:31, 7:55, 13:9, 13:52). Additionally, Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 12:30 that not all believers speak in tongues: "Do all speak in tongues?" The implied answer is no.
Based on the totality of Scripture, speaking in tongues is a legitimate spiritual gift that some, but not all, believers may experience. It is one possible manifestation of the Spirit's filling but not the universal evidence of it. The consistent evidence of Spirit filling throughout Scripture is holy living, bold witness, and the fruit of the Spirit.
Living with Both Indwelling and Infilling
We'll explore this question more deeply in our next episode, "Is speaking in tongues the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?" For now, it's sufficient to understand that while tongues can be a manifestation of the Spirit's filling, the consistent evidences across Scripture are power for witness, Christlike character, supernatural love, and victory over sin.
Can I Be Indwelt But Not Filled?
Yes, absolutely. This is actually the normal condition of many believers. They have genuinely received Christ as Savior and have the indwelling Spirit, but they haven't fully yielded to the Spirit's control and influence. Paul addressed this very situation in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3:
"Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?"
These Corinthians were genuine believers with the indwelling Spirit ("brothers and sisters... in Christ"), but they weren't living as Spirit-filled believers. They were "worldly," characterized by jealousy and quarreling rather than by the fruit of the Spirit. This is why Paul's command to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) is so important. It reminds us that having the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit are not automatically the same thing. The filling requires our ongoing cooperation and submission.
Denominational Perspectives on Indwelling and Infilling
Different Christian traditions have varied perspectives on the Spirit's indwelling and infilling. While we want to be gracious toward different viewpoints within orthodox Christianity, it's helpful to understand some of these differences and evaluate them in light of Scripture.
Pentecostal and Charismatic Perspectives
Pentecostal and charismatic traditions typically emphasize a distinct experience of the Holy Spirit after conversion, which they often call the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" or "being filled with the Spirit." This experience is frequently associated with speaking in tongues and is seen as the gateway to using other spiritual gifts. In these traditions, all believers have the indwelling Spirit from salvation, but they need a subsequent empowerment experience to be effective in witness and ministry. They often point to the disciples' experience in Acts 2 as the model for this post-conversion filling. Many in these traditions would see the Spirit's baptism/filling as a one-time event but acknowledge the need for ongoing fillings thereafter.
While this view rightly emphasizes the need for Spirit empowerment in the believer's life, it sometimes creates a two-tier Christianity where some believers are seen as having "more" of the Spirit than others based on certain manifestations like tongues. Additionally, by identifying the Acts 2 experience as the "baptism of the Holy Spirit," it can create confusion with Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 12:13, which describes the baptism of the Spirit as the universal experience of all believers at salvation.
Reformed and Evangelical Perspectives
Reformed and many evangelical traditions typically emphasize that the indwelling and baptism of the Holy Spirit occur at the moment of salvation, with no subsequent "second blessing" required. They see the filling of the Spirit as the ongoing yielding to and empowerment by the Spirit who already indwells the believer.
In these traditions, the events in Acts (particularly Pentecost) are viewed as transitional, marking the inauguration of the church age rather than establishing a pattern for individual believers to seek a post-conversion Spirit baptism. They emphasize that while all believers have the same Spirit, the degree to which believers experience the Spirit's power varies based on yieldedness, obedience, and faith. This view rightly emphasizes the universal experience of Spirit baptism for all believers at salvation but sometimes underemphasizes the need for powerful, fresh fillings of the Spirit for specific ministry needs, as seen throughout Acts.
Finding Biblical Balance
A balanced biblical approach recognizes that:
All believers receive the indwelling Holy Spirit at salvation (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:13).
This indwelling is the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" that places believers into the body of Christ, as Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 12:13.
The filling of the Spirit is a distinct, ongoing experience that all believers need and should seek (Ephesians 5:18).
This filling may sometimes involve dramatic, powerful experiences similar to what we see in Acts, though the specific manifestations may vary from believer to believer.
Speaking in tongues is a legitimate spiritual gift that some believers may experience when filled with the Spirit, but it is not the universal evidence of Spirit filling (1 Corinthians 12:30).
The consistent evidences of Spirit filling are power for witness, Christlike character, supernatural love, and victory over sin.
This balanced approach honors the universal experience of the Spirit in all believers while recognizing the need for ongoing, empowering fillings of that same Spirit.
Practical Steps for Experiencing the Spirit's Filling
Let's get very practical. If you want to move beyond merely having the indwelling Spirit to experiencing the empowering filling of the Spirit, what specific steps can you take?
1. Recognize Your Need
The first step is acknowledging your need for the Spirit's filling. This requires humility – admitting that your own resources, abilities, and strength are insufficient for the Christian life and ministry. Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5), and this is equally true regarding the Spirit. We desperately need His power. Reflect on areas where you feel powerless – perhaps in witnessing to others, overcoming a persistent sin, loving a difficult person, or serving effectively in ministry. Acknowledge that you need supernatural help in these areas. This humble recognition of need positions you to seek and receive the Spirit's filling.
2. Remove Barriers
Identify and address anything that might be hindering the Spirit's full work in your life. Ask yourself:
Are there unconfessed sins that need to be brought into the light? (1 John 1:9)
Are there attitudes or actions that are grieving the Spirit? (Ephesians 4:30-31)
Are there areas where you're quenching the Spirit by ignoring His promptings? (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
Are there idols in your life – things you love or trust more than God? (1 John 5:21)
Repent of these barriers and ask God for His forgiveness and cleansing. Remember, the goal isn't perfection before filling but a heart willing to deal with sin and yielded to God's purposes.
3. Request Filling
Simply ask God to fill you with His Spirit. Jesus promised, "How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13). This isn't asking for something you don't have (since you already have the indwelling Spirit if you're a believer) but asking for the fullness of what is already yours in Christ. Your prayer might be as simple as, "Father, I acknowledge my need for your Spirit's power. Fill me with your Spirit today. I surrender control of my life to you and ask you to empower me for your purposes. In Jesus' name, amen." This isn't a magical formula – the words themselves aren't important. What matters is the sincerity of your heart in seeking God's empowerment and your willingness to yield to His control.
4. Receive by Faith
After asking, receive the filling of the Spirit by faith, not by feeling. Many believers stumble here because they're looking for a particular emotional experience or manifestation to confirm they're filled. But the filling of the Spirit is received in the same way we received salvation – by faith in God's promise, not by feelings or signs. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." When you ask for the Spirit's filling, believe that God answers that prayer whether you feel anything different or not. Trust His character and promise rather than your feelings.
5. Remain in Fellowship with God
The filling of the Spirit isn't a one-time event but an ongoing reality that needs to be maintained. To remain filled with the Spirit:
Feed daily on God's Word, allowing the Spirit to renew your mind (Romans 12:2)
Maintain an active prayer life, staying in constant communication with God (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Obey the Spirit's promptings promptly, not delaying or rationalizing disobedience (James 4:17)
Walk in the light, confessing sin quickly when it occurs (1 John 1:7-9)
Stay connected to the body of Christ, where the Spirit often works through other believers to encourage and shape you (Hebrews 10:24-25)
This ongoing communion with God creates the conditions for continued filling of the Spirit. Think of it as maintaining an open channel through which the Spirit's power can flow freely.
6. Rest in God's Faithfulness
Finally, rest in God's faithfulness to fill you as you seek Him. Don't strive or work yourself into a frenzy trying to manufacture spiritual experiences. The filling of the Spirit is God's work in response to your yielded heart. Remember Zechariah 4:6: "'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." Release your grip on controlling your life and ministry, and let God work through you by His Spirit in His way and timing.
Signs of Growth in Experiencing the Spirit's Filling
How can you tell if you're growing in experiencing the filling of the Spirit? Here are some indicators to look for:
1. Increasing Freedom from Sin
As you experience more of the Spirit's filling, you should find increasing victory over sin and temptation. Galatians 5:16 promises, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." This doesn't mean perfect sinlessness, but it does mean a noticeable change in your relationship with sin. What once controlled you begins to lose its grip as the Spirit's power enables you to say no to temptation and yes to God's ways.
2. Growing Boldness in Witness
The primary purpose of the Spirit's filling in Acts was to empower believers for witness (Acts 1:8). As you experience more of the Spirit's filling, you should find growing courage and effectiveness in sharing your faith.
This might manifest as:
More willingness to talk about Jesus with others
Greater clarity in explaining the gospel
Increased sensitivity to spiritual opportunities
Supernatural wisdom in answering questions and objections
Seeing more fruit from your witness as God works through you
3. Expanding Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." As you experience more of the Spirit's filling, this fruit should become increasingly evident in your character. Pay particular attention to how you respond in difficult circumstances. Are you more patient with difficult people? More joyful in trials? More loving toward those who mistreat you? These changes indicate the Spirit's growing influence in your life.
4. Deeper Worship and Prayer
Spirit-filled believers are characterized by rich worship and prayer lives. Ephesians 5:18-20 links being filled with the Spirit to "speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit" and "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything."
As you experience more of the Spirit's filling, you should find:
Greater desire to worship God both privately and corporately
Deeper prayer experiences, including times when the Spirit helps you pray beyond your own understanding (Romans 8:26)
Increased gratitude even in difficult circumstances
More awareness of God's presence in everyday life
5. More Effective Ministry
The filling of the Spirit empowers believers for effective service using their spiritual gifts. As you experience more of the Spirit's filling, you should see increased effectiveness in ministry, with God working through you in ways that exceed your natural abilities. This doesn't necessarily mean dramatic, visible results, but it does mean sensing God's power at work through you and seeing lives impacted as a result.
6. Greater Sensitivity to the Spirit's Leading
Spirit-filled believers are "led by the Spirit" (Romans 8:14). As you experience more of the Spirit's filling, you should find yourself more attuned to His guidance, more responsive to His promptings, and more able to discern His voice amid other influences. This sensitivity develops over time as you practice listening to God through His Word, prayer, and the counsel of mature believers.
Common Objections and Misconceptions
As we conclude our exploration of indwelling and infilling, let's address some common objections and misconceptions that might hinder your understanding or experience.
"Isn't this just semantics? Why does it matter?"
Some might wonder if the distinction between indwelling and infilling is just a matter of theological hair-splitting without practical relevance. But as we've seen, this distinction has profound implications for how we approach the Christian life.
If we fail to recognize the permanent indwelling of the Spirit in all believers, we might mistakenly think some Christians have the Spirit while others don't, creating unhealthy division in the body of Christ. We might also live in fear of losing the Spirit when we sin, rather than resting in God's unfailing commitment to us.
If we fail to recognize the need for ongoing filling of the Spirit, we might try to live the Christian life in our own strength, missing the supernatural power God intends us to experience. We might settle for a mediocre Christian experience when God has promised so much more.
Understanding this distinction helps us avoid both complacency ("I have the Spirit, so I'm good") and striving ("I need to somehow earn or attain the Spirit"), leading us instead to a balanced approach of resting in the Spirit's presence while seeking His increasing influence.
"I don't have dramatic experiences with the Spirit. Am I doing something wrong?"
Many Christians feel inadequate because their experience with the Holy Spirit seems less dramatic than what they read in Acts or hear from other believers. It's important to recognize that the Spirit works differently in different lives according to God's sovereign purposes.
The filling of the Spirit may sometimes involve powerful emotional experiences, manifestations like speaking in tongues, or dramatic moments of empowerment. But it may also work quietly, gradually transforming character, empowering for service, and guiding decisions without dramatic manifestations.
What matters isn't the outward dramatics but the inward and outward fruit: Christ-like character, bold witness, effective ministry, and victory over sin. If you're seeing growth in these areas, you're experiencing the Spirit's filling, whether or not it feels dramatic.
"I've tried to be filled with the Spirit, but nothing changes. What am I missing?"
If you've sought the Spirit's filling but don't see the changes you expect, consider:
Are you looking for the wrong evidence? You might be expecting a particular manifestation or feeling, while the Spirit is working in other ways in your life.
Are there unaddressed barriers? Persistent, unconfessed sin or areas of life you're unwilling to yield to God's control can hinder the Spirit's filling work.
Are you trying to manufacture what only God can do? Sometimes our striving and self-effort prevent us from simply receiving what God freely gives.
Are you expecting instant transformation? The filling of the Spirit often works gradually, transforming us "from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18) rather than all at once.
Are you walking by faith or by sight? The filling of the Spirit, like all aspects of our relationship with God, operates by faith rather than by sight or feeling (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Take these questions to God in prayer, asking Him to show you if any of these factors are hindering your experience of the Spirit's filling.
Moving Forward in the Spirit's Power
We've covered a lot of ground in exploring the difference between the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit. Let's review the key truths we've discovered:
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the permanent residence of God in every genuine believer from the moment of salvation. It's a gift received by faith, not earned by works, and it never leaves the believer. This indwelling marks us as God's children, seals us for salvation, and connects us to the body of Christ.
The infilling of the Holy Spirit is the ongoing experience of being influenced, empowered, and controlled by the Spirit who already indwells us. It's a command to be continually obeyed, requiring our cooperation through yielding to the Spirit's control. This filling empowers us for witness, produces the fruit of the Spirit in our character, and enables victory over sin.
All believers have the indwelling Spirit, but not all believers are continually filled with the Spirit. The difference lies not in possessing the Spirit but in yielding to the Spirit's control and influence.
The filling of the Spirit is received by faith, not by feeling or by earning it through spiritual practices. We simply ask, believe God's promise, and yield control of our lives to Him.
The evidence of Spirit filling includes power for witness, Christ-like character, supernatural love, victory over sin, and effective ministry, though the specific manifestations may vary from believer to believer.
Armed with this understanding, how should we move forward in our walk with God? Here are three practical steps:
1. Rest in the reality of the Spirit's indwelling
If you have genuinely placed your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, you can be confident that the Holy Spirit lives within you. You don't need to beg God to give you His Spirit or fear that He will take His Spirit away when you fail. The indwelling Spirit is God's guarantee of your salvation and His commitment to complete the work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). Take a moment right now to thank God for this incredible gift – that the Creator of the universe has taken up permanent residence in your life! Your body is literally a temple of the Holy Spirit. This reality should transform how you view yourself and how you treat your body.
2. Seek the fullness of the Spirit's influence
While resting in the reality of the Spirit's indwelling, actively seek the fullness of His influence in your life. Begin each day by surrendering control to the Spirit, inviting Him to guide your thoughts, words, and actions. Remove barriers to His work through confession and repentance. Feed on God's Word, allowing the Spirit to renew your mind. Practice immediate obedience to the Spirit's promptings. Remember, the filling of the Spirit isn't a one-time event but an ongoing relationship of submission and dependence. Make this your daily prayer: "Spirit of God, fill me afresh today. I surrender control of my life to You. Empower me for witness and ministry, produce Your fruit in my character, and lead me in Your ways."
3. Expect God to work through you
As you yield to the Spirit's filling, expect God to work through you in ways that exceed your natural abilities. Look for opportunities to share your faith, serve others using your spiritual gifts, and demonstrate supernatural love, joy, peace, and other fruit of the Spirit, especially in challenging circumstances. Remember that while you can't fill yourself with the Spirit, you can position yourself to be filled by removing barriers and willingly yielding control. As you do this consistently, you'll experience more and more of the Spirit's power and presence in your life.
In our next episode, we'll build on this foundation as we explore the question, "Is speaking in tongues the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?" Until then, I encourage you to reflect on what we've learned and begin putting it into practice. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh today, surrendering control of your life to Him, and watch what God will do through a yielded vessel. Remember, the Christian life isn't meant to be lived on our own strength. Jesus promised us power through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), and that promise is for every believer. Don't settle for merely having the Spirit's presence when you could be experiencing the fullness of His power. As Paul prayed for the Ephesians, I pray for you: "that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). Thank you for joining me today on Word for Word. I'm Austin Duncan, and I look forward to continuing our journey together next week as we explore more questions about Christianity, faith, and the Bible.
