Fruit of the Spirit

iii much influence and power the Holy Spirit can actually exert in our lives will depend upon how well we follow these commands.

So how are we to understand the first two “do not” commands?

Bible scholars equate the quenching the Spirit with sins of omission (the things the Spirit prompts us to do, but we ignore Him), while grieving the Spirit involves outright sin or disobedience to God’s commands. Ironically, we obey these two negative commands by avoiding something: by not sinning.

However, when we do sin (as we inevitably will), we lose neither our salvation, nor the indwelling of the Spirit. Instead, we cut ourselves off from the power and influence Jesus promised the Spirit would provide His followers (John 14:15-31; 16:5-15). In Paul’s terminology, we become “carnal” Christians (1 Corinthians 3:1, NKJV).

On the positive side, walking by the Spirit is a metaphor for the steady, day-by-day experience of living a God-pleasing life—one where we seek to know, understand, and follow God’s will. One where we experience the loving, joyful, and fruitful life that comes from abiding in Christ (John 15:1-17). One where, over time and under the Holy Spirit’s influence, we become more and more Christ-like in our thoughts, words, and actions. As we consistently walk by the Spirit (what Eugene Peterson called “a long obedience in the same direction”), we are transformed from the inside out (Romans 12:1-2).

It’s the fourth command, “be filled with the Spirit,” which is the most challenging and the most critical to our spiritual well-being.

While the first three commands are in the present tense and active voice (meaning, they are something we must continually choose to do), the last command is in the present tense and passive voice (meaning, it’s something we must continually receive).

The Greek word for filling (pleroo) has several meanings which help us understand what the Holy Spirit does when He fills us: “to fill a deficiency, to fill with quality, to fully influence, to fully