What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
The only way toÌýlive withÌýtrue spiritual power
"Are you sure you want to be possessed by a spirit other than your own? Even though that spirit be the pure Spirit of God? Even though He be the very gentle essence of the gentle Jesus? Even though He be wisdom personified, wisdom Himself? Even though He be as loving as the heart of God?" —A. W. Tozer
In a little book that's hard to swallow, A. W. Tozer teaches plainly who the Spirit is, why we should desire Him, but why few of us do. He instructs us in how to be filled with the Spirit, but first poses this Do you really want to be filled?
"Are you sure you want to be possessed by a spirit other than your own? Even though that spirit be the pure Spirit of God? Even though He be the very gentle essence of the gentle Jesus? Even though He be wisdom personified, wisdom Himself? Even though He be as loving as the heart of God?" —A. W. Tozer
In a little book that's hard to swallow, A. W. Tozer teaches plainly who the Spirit is, why we should desire Him, but why few of us do. He instructs us in how to be filled with the Spirit, but first poses this Do you really want to be filled?
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1960
2695 people are currently reading
3266 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Tozer
620Ìýbooks2,006ÌýfollowersAiden Wilson Tozer was an American evangelical pastor, speaker, writer, and editor. After coming to Christ at the age of seventeen, Tozer found his way into the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination where he served for over forty years. In 1950, he was appointed by the denomination's General Council to be the editor of "The Alliance Witness" (now "Alliance Life").
Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.
A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.
Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.
A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
June 20, 2019
This book is a must read for all believers. What an impact we would have on our family, friends and world, if we lived a Spirit-filled life. ÌýThis is the best edition of it available at Amazon:
May 20, 2018
I enjoyed reading Tozer's sermons and his thoughts on the Holy Spirit.
June 27, 2016
Pretty much the how to be filled with the Spirit is to be completely surrendered; dying to all self-interest, all desire for pleasure and becoming 100% obedient to all Jesus' commands. After this, if one is completely willing to be slave, a puppet that places the stings into God's hands and truly desires to Spirit, all one needs to do is merely ask God to be filled. Of course you need to understand correct doctrine of how the Spirit is a person and a member of the Godhead and be full of faith. But yeah, get all of this right and you just need to ask and BAM!!!! God WILL absolutely, certainly and without exception fill you with the Holy Ghost!
If only... the formula... worked... or maybe it does and the reason God so rarely fills people with his Spirit is because no one is ever able to meet the impossibly high conditions of 100% surrender, self-denial and total obedience. I'd think if we could be filled with the Holy Spirit maybe we'd have the supernatural ability to be 100% surrendered and totally obedient, but it doesn't appear anyone has chance since we have to first reach this state of perfection, before God will give His Spirit. Shucks...
Or maybe, we are just to do our best, be as surrendered as we consciously can be, delude ourselves as far as possible that we have no self-interest or love for pleasure, and then ask. Well, I can recall many years ago before becoming jaded, when I did sincerely desire God, wanted to be completely surrendered and obedient, but I'd ask and nothing... Some would say, we are just to believe we are filled when with no evidence of this being so. If we remain just as weak as previous and we feel no different, we are just to blindly believe we are filled with the holy ghost. This all makes a much sense as believing that i am full when i am hungry, and when this doesn't make me feel less hungry, just believing harder. Maybe my confidence that I am full will become stronger than the hunger pangs! But I've never been good with these mind games when it comes to food or the Holy Spirit.
Many years i plead, I believed, I begged, I hoped and nothing.... after hope deterred made my heart sick and faith slowly eroded away, it has become quite hard to ratchet up enough willpower and trust in God to start over again. Many years ago, i was much closer to meeting the conditions Tozer talks about, and the formula didn't work, God wouldn't budge. Now i am hopeless fair from meeting the conditions and haven't the faintest notion of how I could. My only hope is that God uncharacteristically would show some mercy and grace and offer an utter wretch like me the ability to obey and love Him. If only he'd awaken my spirit again, allowing me to feel his life so the things of earth become empty in comparison. Every now and then I find there still is a spark of hope left. Hope that just maybe the Heavenly Father would actually act almost as beneficently as my earthly father. This spark is fading, but I hope it doesn't completely.
If only... the formula... worked... or maybe it does and the reason God so rarely fills people with his Spirit is because no one is ever able to meet the impossibly high conditions of 100% surrender, self-denial and total obedience. I'd think if we could be filled with the Holy Spirit maybe we'd have the supernatural ability to be 100% surrendered and totally obedient, but it doesn't appear anyone has chance since we have to first reach this state of perfection, before God will give His Spirit. Shucks...
Or maybe, we are just to do our best, be as surrendered as we consciously can be, delude ourselves as far as possible that we have no self-interest or love for pleasure, and then ask. Well, I can recall many years ago before becoming jaded, when I did sincerely desire God, wanted to be completely surrendered and obedient, but I'd ask and nothing... Some would say, we are just to believe we are filled when with no evidence of this being so. If we remain just as weak as previous and we feel no different, we are just to blindly believe we are filled with the holy ghost. This all makes a much sense as believing that i am full when i am hungry, and when this doesn't make me feel less hungry, just believing harder. Maybe my confidence that I am full will become stronger than the hunger pangs! But I've never been good with these mind games when it comes to food or the Holy Spirit.
Many years i plead, I believed, I begged, I hoped and nothing.... after hope deterred made my heart sick and faith slowly eroded away, it has become quite hard to ratchet up enough willpower and trust in God to start over again. Many years ago, i was much closer to meeting the conditions Tozer talks about, and the formula didn't work, God wouldn't budge. Now i am hopeless fair from meeting the conditions and haven't the faintest notion of how I could. My only hope is that God uncharacteristically would show some mercy and grace and offer an utter wretch like me the ability to obey and love Him. If only he'd awaken my spirit again, allowing me to feel his life so the things of earth become empty in comparison. Every now and then I find there still is a spark of hope left. Hope that just maybe the Heavenly Father would actually act almost as beneficently as my earthly father. This spark is fading, but I hope it doesn't completely.
December 5, 2022
“I am positive that much that passes for the gospel in our day is very little more than a very mild case of orthodox religion grafted on to a heart that is sold out to the world in its pleasures and tastes and ambitions.�
As always, Tozer is straight to the point. His criticism that the modern church neglects teaching about the Holy Spirit is altogether scathing and enlightening—very much like stepping into brilliant sunlight after being in a dark room for a long time. This brief piece is informative, instructive, encouraging, and clearly fueled by a heart that has known and treasured the work of God in his own life. I’d recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about the Holy Spirit, or anyone who desires a fresh reminder of the beauty of the Trinity.
As always, Tozer is straight to the point. His criticism that the modern church neglects teaching about the Holy Spirit is altogether scathing and enlightening—very much like stepping into brilliant sunlight after being in a dark room for a long time. This brief piece is informative, instructive, encouraging, and clearly fueled by a heart that has known and treasured the work of God in his own life. I’d recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about the Holy Spirit, or anyone who desires a fresh reminder of the beauty of the Trinity.
January 13, 2021
"The most menial task can become a priestly ministration when the Holy [Spirit] takes over and Christ becomes your all in all."
July 20, 2020
This was an impulse buy for Kindle - and I actually got the audiobook version to go with it because I like immersion reading and I thought that might be best to keep my mind focused on this important subject matter. A.W. Tozer is one of my most respected classic Christian authors so I wanted to know what he had to say about being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Honestly, I already thought I was filled with the Holy Spirit - so I wasn't looking for a "how to" book on the topic - I just wanted to know his take on it. This is a booklet sized manuscript based on some of his sermons. I found it to be a quick read and it kept my attention, and I even got some good suggestions in the last chapter. (There are four short chapters to this.)
Here's my favorite quote from the book: "Let’s just be plain Christians. Let’s open the Bible, spread it out on the chair, and meditate on it. It will open itself to us, and the Spirit of God will come and brood over it."
Honestly, I already thought I was filled with the Holy Spirit - so I wasn't looking for a "how to" book on the topic - I just wanted to know his take on it. This is a booklet sized manuscript based on some of his sermons. I found it to be a quick read and it kept my attention, and I even got some good suggestions in the last chapter. (There are four short chapters to this.)
Here's my favorite quote from the book: "Let’s just be plain Christians. Let’s open the Bible, spread it out on the chair, and meditate on it. It will open itself to us, and the Spirit of God will come and brood over it."
January 29, 2025
A wonderful little 30-page book! It’s actually just a few compiled sermons of Tozer’s. Such a convicting and inspiring message about what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
One of my favorite quotes: “We are organized to death already. Let’s just be plain Christians. Let’s open our Bible, spread it out on the chair, and meditate on it. It will open itself to us, and the Spirit of God will come and brood over it.�
Definitely made me think about what I’m over complicating & what excuses I make for myself.
One of my favorite quotes: “We are organized to death already. Let’s just be plain Christians. Let’s open our Bible, spread it out on the chair, and meditate on it. It will open itself to us, and the Spirit of God will come and brood over it.�
Definitely made me think about what I’m over complicating & what excuses I make for myself.
March 27, 2018
Starting line for walking with the Holy Spirit
I have, for a long time, struggled with what it means to walk in the Spirit. I grew up with a fundamentalist back ground, so the concept of “spirit� is very difficult for me. I, like the book mentions, believe that the Holy Spirit exists, is a person, and is still at work today, yet I have yet to develop a relationship with Him.
I am looking forward to getting to know Him better, thank you Tozer for the helpful guidelines!
I have, for a long time, struggled with what it means to walk in the Spirit. I grew up with a fundamentalist back ground, so the concept of “spirit� is very difficult for me. I, like the book mentions, believe that the Holy Spirit exists, is a person, and is still at work today, yet I have yet to develop a relationship with Him.
I am looking forward to getting to know Him better, thank you Tozer for the helpful guidelines!
June 4, 2024
God has a way of wrecking me through the words of Tozer. And I will happily be wrecked every time.
He makes it clear that this is not a step-by-step tutorial but rather, thoughts about the Holy Spirit and a surrendered life.
“To God, our thoughts are things. Our thoughts are the decorations inside the sanctuary where we live.�
He makes it clear that this is not a step-by-step tutorial but rather, thoughts about the Holy Spirit and a surrendered life.
“To God, our thoughts are things. Our thoughts are the decorations inside the sanctuary where we live.�
December 27, 2021
I thought this was a great teaching on the Holy Spirit. It requires surrendering yourself by eliminating worldly influences and cultivating godly characteristics. I’ve been walking with my Jesus for 41 years and still struggle with what meditation looks like so please pray I will get a clear understanding. As a believer I know I received the Spirit when I committed my life to Christ. This is a book I read to keep myself in check. I desire to be a reflection of Christ and fail more than succeed. Thankful for my Jesus!
February 17, 2022
An excellent little pamphlet on some fundamental Christian understandings of having a relationship with God as He is
Thankful to my Fiancée for gifting this to me
Thankful to my Fiancée for gifting this to me
September 2, 2024
"Are you sure you want to be possessed by a spirit other than your own? Even though that spirit be the pure Spirit of God? Even though He be the very gentle essence of the gentle Jesus? Even though He be wisdom personified, wisdom Himself? Even though He be as loving as the heart of God?"
A trillion stars.
This book... was incredible. Tozer is an amazing writer; he has such a way with words, and broke this book down to make it easy to understand, but it definitely is a hard one to grasp. How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit left me speechless. It called me out on so many things, and was thoroughly backed up by Scripture. It had lots of sections, but overall had a clear message: you cannot have your own Spirit leading you AND the Holy Spirit. We cannot want to desperately hold onto this world and yet want the gift given from Heaven, of God itself.
You think you know everything about the Holy Ghost until you read this book. It was highly informative, and it's not what some may think as a "crash course"-where you read this book and you immediately are filled with it. This book was a revelation of the steps one must take to allow the gentle essence of God prick yourself and penetrate your mind, thoughts, body and so much more. It's about a spiritual relationship with God rather than a social one. Of denying sin and obeying our call to follow Him fully and walk in His ways, in the ways of righteousness.
For such a small book, it was one that spoke to my heart in a million different ways.
I will definitely be reading more of Tozer's work. Something I liked about him was that he called out sin and misbehavior and urges the reader in a gentle but direct way to truly receive the gift God imparts on us. We all have a little of the Holy Spirit, but to allow it to transform our life, to take over our thoughts and mind, to live completely away from sin and the cravings of the flesh... are we truly ready for that?
� A must read for all Christians.
A trillion stars.
This book... was incredible. Tozer is an amazing writer; he has such a way with words, and broke this book down to make it easy to understand, but it definitely is a hard one to grasp. How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit left me speechless. It called me out on so many things, and was thoroughly backed up by Scripture. It had lots of sections, but overall had a clear message: you cannot have your own Spirit leading you AND the Holy Spirit. We cannot want to desperately hold onto this world and yet want the gift given from Heaven, of God itself.
You think you know everything about the Holy Ghost until you read this book. It was highly informative, and it's not what some may think as a "crash course"-where you read this book and you immediately are filled with it. This book was a revelation of the steps one must take to allow the gentle essence of God prick yourself and penetrate your mind, thoughts, body and so much more. It's about a spiritual relationship with God rather than a social one. Of denying sin and obeying our call to follow Him fully and walk in His ways, in the ways of righteousness.
For such a small book, it was one that spoke to my heart in a million different ways.
I will definitely be reading more of Tozer's work. Something I liked about him was that he called out sin and misbehavior and urges the reader in a gentle but direct way to truly receive the gift God imparts on us. We all have a little of the Holy Spirit, but to allow it to transform our life, to take over our thoughts and mind, to live completely away from sin and the cravings of the flesh... are we truly ready for that?
� A must read for all Christians.
August 28, 2022
I found this to be a nice introduction to the subject of seeking the Holy Spirit and to be filled with Him; a laying down of the foundations; and a whetting of the appetite. Tozer is very clear and blunt in his laying down of the challenges involved in living in step with the Holy Spirit, which is particularly helpful.
August 20, 2024
A.W. Tozer is above my reading level
July 5, 2020
I like this book. It is short and to the point but I think that is also what makes parts of it difficult to understand. It gave me a lot to think about but I can't say that I agree with everything.
Elisabeth Elliot also speaks about obedience (Tozer does so in the last chapter of this book) but I find Elliot's books more accessible.
Elisabeth Elliot also speaks about obedience (Tozer does so in the last chapter of this book) but I find Elliot's books more accessible.
September 15, 2016
About the Book:
The only way to live with true spiritual power
"Are you sure you want to be possessed by a spirit other than your own? Even though that spirit be the pure Spirit of God? Even though He be the very gentle essence of the gentle Jesus? Even though He be wisdom personified, wisdom Himself? Even though He be as loving as the heart of God?" —A. W. Tozer
In a little book that's hard to swallow, A. W. Tozer teaches plainly who the Spirit is, why we should desire Him, but why few of us do. He instructs us in how to be filled with the Spirit, but first poses this question: Do you really want to be filled?
My Review:
Many people spend their whole lives waiting, wanting, and wishing for the Holy Spirit to fill them. I know someone right now that has prayed and prayed and prayed to no avail and he still hasn't received and it breaks his heart. I try to be of encouragement to this individual and I pray for him to receive and it has yet to happen. It is so disheartening and it is very sad.
Unlike this individual I speak of there are many people that are not interested in this gift and I really think that, that is a shame. Because being filled can transform your life in ways you have never seen or experienced and it is a closeness with God that very few ever experience.
A.W. Tozer is a man that wants it for you as much as you do for yourself. In this excerpt from one of his famous sermons, he tries to tell you and put into words how to achieve this great gift. I loved his approach when asking someone if they are ready to possessed by another spirit that is not their own. A fascinating take by a leader of his time. But his advice is timeless and still rings true, today!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
The only way to live with true spiritual power
"Are you sure you want to be possessed by a spirit other than your own? Even though that spirit be the pure Spirit of God? Even though He be the very gentle essence of the gentle Jesus? Even though He be wisdom personified, wisdom Himself? Even though He be as loving as the heart of God?" —A. W. Tozer
In a little book that's hard to swallow, A. W. Tozer teaches plainly who the Spirit is, why we should desire Him, but why few of us do. He instructs us in how to be filled with the Spirit, but first poses this question: Do you really want to be filled?
My Review:
Many people spend their whole lives waiting, wanting, and wishing for the Holy Spirit to fill them. I know someone right now that has prayed and prayed and prayed to no avail and he still hasn't received and it breaks his heart. I try to be of encouragement to this individual and I pray for him to receive and it has yet to happen. It is so disheartening and it is very sad.
Unlike this individual I speak of there are many people that are not interested in this gift and I really think that, that is a shame. Because being filled can transform your life in ways you have never seen or experienced and it is a closeness with God that very few ever experience.
A.W. Tozer is a man that wants it for you as much as you do for yourself. In this excerpt from one of his famous sermons, he tries to tell you and put into words how to achieve this great gift. I loved his approach when asking someone if they are ready to possessed by another spirit that is not their own. A fascinating take by a leader of his time. But his advice is timeless and still rings true, today!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
January 29, 2025
This is less a book and more 4 sermons, though it is no less impactful because of it. I really appreciate Tozer's practical, no-nonsense approach to the subject- inspiring the reader to move beyond simply thinking about the Holy Spirit and, having a more clarified perspective on the Holy Spirit, cultivating communion with Him. I'm grateful for the challenge!
January 28, 2025
I’m glad I didn’t go into this book with the expectation that it would give me a how-to guide or a five-step plan to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as some may conclude from the title. Tozer teaches well Who the Holy Spirit is, which I found helped me see the third Person of the Trinity in a more biblical and personal way. He also does a good job explaining what being filled with the Holy Spirit is, the consequences that come from it(he gives a powerfully effective warning to consider what you are giving up to be filled with the Holy Spirit), and how to be ready for that.
Very short read and certainly worth the time.
Very short read and certainly worth the time.
October 24, 2023
The title kinda makes me giggle because it seems like an oversimplification of something so vast. Like, “hey, here’s 5 easy sets to be filled with the Creator of the cosmos� presence.� But after reading it, it’s kinda true� God wants to be so dearly close to us that He makes Himself wildly accessible. One truth this lil book helped me learn is that God asks way more of us than we think (He asks for our whole life), but a life of living like Him is just so much better and more whole than anything we could come up with on our own. Also, 5 stars because Tozer said it all in 58 pages. Nice.
December 22, 2018
Tozer’s sermon series wasn’t bad. Everything was orthodox and true. However, Tozer spoke much about the importance of Scripture he did not often directly reference Scripture for many of his arguments. This book might be beneficial for some but I think it contained very basic information that didn’t teach me anything new or challenge any current perspectives.
January 2, 2023
A super short book focused on how we as believers can put ourselves in a position to be be filled with the Holy Spirit. There’s never going to be a “do these things and then you’ll feel the power of the Holy Spirit,� but this book discusses putting ourselves in the posture to be spirit-led and I appreciate the insight from Tozer about whether or not we really want life with the Spirit or not
March 27, 2023
This brief book (only 35 pages) is a compilation of notes from a sermon series on the Holy Spirit. Tozer addresses the nature, personality, power, need for, and most importantly, ultimate, all-pervasive reality of the Holy Spirit. In which these topics aid the believer in living a more Spirit-filled life.
“He believes it, but he doesn’t teach it, and what you don’t believe strongly enough to teach doesn’t do you any good� It is the same with the fullness of the Holy Ghost. Evangelical Christianity believe it, but nobody experiences it. It lies under the snow, forgotten. I am praying that God may be able to melt away the ice from this blessed truth, and let it spring up again, that the church and the people who hear may get some good out of it and not merely say, “I believe� while it’s buried under the snow of inactivity and non-attention� (p.8)
“Cultivate the art of recognizing the presence of the Spirit everywhere. Get acquainted with the Holy Ghost and then begin to cultivate his presence� The most menial task can become a priestly ministration when the Holy Ghost takes over and Christ becomes your all in all.� (p.32-33)
“He believes it, but he doesn’t teach it, and what you don’t believe strongly enough to teach doesn’t do you any good� It is the same with the fullness of the Holy Ghost. Evangelical Christianity believe it, but nobody experiences it. It lies under the snow, forgotten. I am praying that God may be able to melt away the ice from this blessed truth, and let it spring up again, that the church and the people who hear may get some good out of it and not merely say, “I believe� while it’s buried under the snow of inactivity and non-attention� (p.8)
“Cultivate the art of recognizing the presence of the Spirit everywhere. Get acquainted with the Holy Ghost and then begin to cultivate his presence� The most menial task can become a priestly ministration when the Holy Ghost takes over and Christ becomes your all in all.� (p.32-33)
December 16, 2018
I read this years and years ago. I wanted to reread it seeing as I’m hosting a group this spring where for one session we may talk about this, so I wanted it to be fresh in my mind. I love how he breaks everything down. His depth reminds me of CS Lewis but I feel like it’s even more simplified.
November 13, 2022
Chapter 4 talked about honoring the Holy Spirit in a way that was simple yet, impactful. We honor Him by doing what He says. A sweet reminder to honor the Lord through obedience. What a fragrance to be marked by.
December 25, 2023
Great book, definitely super convicting, I am definitely wary of the more mystical side of faith, so important to remember the importance of the spirit and spiritual realities. My favorite take away is the importance of just meditating on the word, like take away devos and church books and just spend time sitting in meditation and of the word and let the lord teach you. That’s what all the saints did. Definitely something I want to be more intentional about. 8/10
January 6, 2019
Short and sweet
A nice little reminder that God offers us so much but few are him seriously. A good book to challenge me in the new year.
A nice little reminder that God offers us so much but few are him seriously. A good book to challenge me in the new year.
November 8, 2019
Excellent!
I love AW Tozer's ability to make the spiritual so understandable. This one was hard to for me toput down.
I love AW Tozer's ability to make the spiritual so understandable. This one was hard to for me toput down.
April 6, 2020
Encouraging!
Many will not like this short book, because it is asking us, as believers, to give up self and be totally sold out to the Godhead-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This book wants us to be totally heavenly-minded and not worldly even if we appear strange and odd to others.
Many will not like this short book, because it is asking us, as believers, to give up self and be totally sold out to the Godhead-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This book wants us to be totally heavenly-minded and not worldly even if we appear strange and odd to others.
September 20, 2020
So good, except for the part when he goes off the wall on films being the root of modern sin and to not read anything but the Bible.
March 6, 2021
It was okay.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.