Be filled with the Spirit

[tonychanyt]

Ephesians 5:

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

be filled
πληροῦσθε (plērousthe)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4137: From pleres; to make replete, i.e. to cram, level up, or to furnish, satisfy, execute, finish, verify, etc.

The present tense means "Be filled" regularly, routinely, repeatedly, and continually. This is not a one-time event. The context supports this interpretation:

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

The filling with the Spirit is sometimes associated with prophecying. Acts 2:

4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

How to get filled?

Paul lists some pointers in 1 Thessalonians 5:

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies, 21but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.

See also My take on the Baptism of the Spirit.