God's Holy Fire: 'Be Filled with the Spirit'

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 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, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
— Ephesians 5:18-21 NIV

Key Thought

When people are drunk, we say they are "under the influence." When a person is a follower of Jesus, he or she should be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Paul lists five ways that we fill ourselves with the Spirit. Four we would normally identify with community worship - speaking to one another in song, singing, making music in our hearts, and giving thanks to God. Paul adds a fifth way to turn the Spirit loose in our lives: submitting to one another as part of our worship of Jesus. I don't know about you, but there are times when I have not wanted to do each of these things. However, in doing them with a genuine desire to honor the Lord, I find myself blessed and empowered in ways I would never have expected. We shouldn't be surprised: The Bible tells us that when we do these things, God's Spirit fills us!

Today's Prayer

Loving Father, thank you for entering into me through the Holy Spirit. I am going to try to do all I can to worship you with my words and with my relationships, trusting that you will empower me with your Holy Spirit. Please help me see your presence and power in my life as I do these things in today's verses. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

44 Related Resources by Heartlight

Filled with the Spirit!
Devo: Together in Christ
"Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs..."
Worship Releases the Spirit's Power
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit......"
Living in Wisdom
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, Fill me with your heavenly wisdom, which involves alertness to problems and opportunities, avoidance of addictions, fullness of your..."
Ephesians 5:19-20
Devo: Today's Verse
"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for..."
See All 44 Related Resources about Ephesians 5:18-21

Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 5:18-21 NIV — Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, January 22, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Your Advocate Forever'
"Dear Beloved, You saw My apostles fail Me during My arrest, trials, and crucifixion. One betrayed Me, another denied he knew Me, and the rest..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Knows Everything You Will ever Do'
"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Believe Moses!' (Jn. 5:45-47)
"[Talking to Jewish leaders who opposed him, Jesus continued,] "Yet it isn't I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes,..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Seeing the Glorious Son of Man' (Acts 7:54-56)
"The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen's accusation [about their killing the Messiah and disobeying God's law], and they shook their fists at....."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations