“be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. This is a present continuous action and requires a believer to be (a) daily yielded to God, (b) daily in repentance with confession with godly sorrow, (c) daily allowing the word of God to richly indwell the inner man. Being controlled by the Holy Spirit empowers a believer (a) daily in spiritual battle (Spirit versus flesh) and, (b) daily in living out the person and character and conduct of Christ and in being obedient to the will of God.

Spirit in Control: A Picture of Power, Part 1
Jesus did not leave us here to live the Christian life in our own strength. He sent the same Holy Spirit who raised Him from the dead to live inside of us and empower us! But the Bible warns us not to be filled with other things that will take control of our lives. We must be filled with the Spirit in order for our thoughts and actions to be controlled by the Spirit. We are controlled by whatever we are filled with.
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