WIND FOR YOUR SAILS 109much more than a new song—it's a change that takes place
in your heart. When you have been transformed on the
inside, a melody will bubble up. It's a spontaneous reaction.
I don't claim to be a singer, but I've had a song on my lips
since the moment I met the Holy Spirit.
The third manifestation is that you'll start giving
thanks: "Giving thanks always for all things to God the
Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 20).
Suddenly you will begin to thank Him for everything.
You'll thank Him for the good, and for the not-so-good.
You recognize that the giver of every gift knows exactly
what you need. The result is a transformation of your
attitude. No matter what happens, you'll say, "Thank you."
The fourth obvious sign is that you'll become a servant.
Paul says, "Submitting to one another in the fear of
God" (v. 21). That's what "honoring one another in love" is
all about. Your heart will yearn to help people. The Holy
Spirit brings you to the place where you'll say, "Just let me
know—I'll do it!"
What does it mean to be "filled with the spirit"? Some
people think it is exactly the same as driving a Honda into a
service station and filling the tank with fuel. But that's not it
at all.
In my pulpit I have a bottle of oil. I use it, just as the
Scripture directs me, to anoint those who come for healing.
It is a simple little container, and it is filled with olive oil.
But when I use it up, it's gone. The bottle doesn't fill itself
up again.
The words "be filled" in Ephesians have no connection
to a bottle or a vessel being filled. The Greek present tense
is used to tell you that the filling of the Spirit is not a once-
and-for-all experience. It's a continuing experience.