Luke 4:1-2. Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The fullness of the Holy Spirit comes when you surrender completely to the sovereignty of God. When the Triune God becomes the true master of your life, you will be filled with the Holy Spirit. In today’s Word, we see that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit. To be filled is to be led. Releasing yourself fully to the guidance of the Holy Spirit is the essence of living in His fullness.
Scripture makes it clear that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be moved to declare the wonders of God—specifically, the gospel that Jesus is the Christ. Like the early church, we will not be able to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard. Our focus will not be on miracles, signs, or experiences. Our central message will be Christ crucified, risen, and reigning. We will devote ourselves entirely to proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ. The gifts of the Holy Spirit will serve this message, confirming the gospel in power, but never replacing it.
An angel told Zechariah that his son John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth, and that he would bring many in Israel back to the Lord their God. John the Baptist, filled with the Spirit, did exactly that. His message was not about himself, but about the One to come. He said, “After me comes one more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” John was filled with the Word about the Messiah.
When Mary visited Elizabeth, Luke records that the baby leaped in Elizabeth’s womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She confirmed the Word that had been given to Mary: that the child she carried was the Christ. Later, when John was born, Zechariah was also filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied—not about worldly gain, success, or security—but about the coming of Christ. He praised God who had come to redeem His people through the promised Messiah, the horn of salvation from the house of David.
This is the true work of the Holy Spirit. A person filled with the Spirit speaks about Christ. That’s how you can tell the difference between true and false prophets. Listen to what they say. If their message is not about Christ, it is not from the Spirit of God. Sadly, many churches today have lost this focus. They no longer speak the Word concerning Christ. But God is still looking for a few who will speak only the message of the cross in this generation, full of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He was full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit. He overcame Satan not with emotions or arguments, but by declaring the Word of God. The Word was His weapon. He did not just know the Word—He was the Word made flesh. And Luke saw the same reality in the lives of Christ’s followers. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. After Peter and John reported what the religious leaders had done to them, the church prayed together. And after they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly.
Luke also records Stephen’s final moments. As he was being stoned, Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Even as he faced death, Stephen spoke about Christ. He was not afraid, because he was filled with the Spirit and full of the Word.
The Word is Christ. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. To receive Jesus as the Christ is to receive the Word. And when we believe in Him, we are given the Holy Spirit. The Spirit teaches us and reminds us of the Word. Therefore, the fullness of the Holy Spirit is the fullness of the Word.
Just as water fills a vessel and eventually overflows, the Word fills our spirit, soul, heart, and mind—until it overflows through our lips in the form of the gospel. As the disciples in the upper room did, hold fast to the covenant Word. Devote yourself to prayer, knowing your identity and authority in Christ. Fill your soul with the Word about Christ. Let your heart and mind be flooded with the message of Christ.
Do not let worry, weakness, or sickness consume you. Be filled with the Word. The Word of God is alive and active. It penetrates deep into the soul and discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. In every circumstance, let the Word be your foundation, your power, and your guide.
Prayer. Father, fill me with Your Word so that I may continue to proclaim the message of the cross to all nations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.