Paul exhorts us to be continually filled with the
Spirit in Eph 5:18. He also wants the Word of God to dwell richly in our midst
(Col 3:16). If we read carefully, we find that both of these are evidenced by
spiritual songs and thankfulness in the heart. This is most surprising and has
to be made note of. We usually associate Spirit-filling with power and
Word-filling with knowledge. Some of us confuse being filled with the Spirit as
always having some ecstasy experience like tongues, visions etc. Speaking in
tongues is an initial evidence of being Spirit filled, (i.e. when we are
baptized in Spirit for the first time) and moreover, it is the immediate effect
and not the ongoing evidence of being Spirit filled. For then on, it becomes a
manifestation of the Spirit just like any other gift like prophecy etc.
What we need to understand is that the song from
the heart is much more important than we realize. The activity of God the Spirit
in our heart is always accompanied by a sense of peace and joy. The entrance of
His word also brings a similar reaction. We tend to forget that the psalms are
actually songs. Songs that enrich the heart and mind at the same time. The
psalm is vital to our sense of well being. Speaking to others in the spirit of
the psalmist is even more necessary.
