Tozer, A.W.: Reviewing How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

A.W. Tozer Answers an Important Question 

How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?

A.W. Tozer is a devout Christian who uses his skills as a writer, scholar, and preacher to bring clarity to the Word of God. One way he does this is through his teachings about the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever wondered who the Spirit is and what His role is in the lives of believers?  Are you curious about how He can become the most influential presence in your life? Then, How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit is a book worth reading.

Below, I’ll review this work by revealing what I enjoy about the book and offering some constructive criticism. But first, I’ll highlight some key points from the text and provide readers with insight into the author’s background. 

From Central Pennsylvania to Akron, Ohio

A.W. Tozer Before Adulthood 

Aiden Wilson Tozer was born on April 2, 1897, in the Allegheny Mountains of Central Pennsylvania. He is one of six children living in rural poverty on a farm. Growing up, he attended a one-room school, but didn’t stay long enough to earn a diploma. That said, he learns to read and write from the McGuffey Readers (like the father of Black History,  Dr. Carter G. Woodson).

Along with discovering how to become self-taught at an early age, A.W. Tozer also faced devastation as a teenager. In 1912, a house fire causes his father to have a mental breakdown. 

Consequently, his family moved to Akron, Ohio. This move proves to be God’s way of making provision and paving the way for A.W. Tozer to have a divine encounter with Him. This is seen as he supports his family by working in a factory. Here, he earns more money in a day than he did in a month on the family farm. 

God’s sovereignty is also manifest as he finds refuge in the Akron Public Library, strengthening his mind by reading several books of many genres.

A.W. Tozer Surrenders His Life to Jesus Christ 

Along with obtaining financial increase and a safe space in Akron, this is also the city where he accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This happened in 1915, after hearing a street evangelist preach the Gospel. 

The preacher’s words fall on good ground as A.W. Tozer feels the Holy Spirit’s. As a result, he finds a Bible, a church, and Christians who recognize his natural gifts. Tozer’s conversion validates Matthew 28:18-19 and Romans 10:14-15, as we must share the Gospel so others can hear the truth.

A.W Tozer’s conversion experience also resembles the discipleship model we see in Acts, as Aquilla and Priscilla guide Apollos in the true meaning of scripture. Similarly, a Missionary Alliance Pastor disciples A.W. Tozer by helping him understand scripture, doctrine, and street preaching. 

But the best reflection of the Acts discipleship model comes from Kate Pfautz. She offers A.W. Tozer a unique perspective on the Holy Spirit. She also helps him find places to preach and a wife, her daughter, Ada, whom he marries in 1918. 

Through their union, the couple is fruitful and multiplies by having seven children.  Along with being a father, Tozer was also 

• The pastor of several churches during his forty-year career.
• A leader known for practicing what he preaches.
• Consistent in practicing spiritual disciplines.
• Submitted to the Holy Spirit’s leading. 

God rewards Tozer’s submission by allowing him to become a fresh voice for college students. God also honors Tozer’s faithfulness by allowing him to create several works and sermons that are still relevant in the twenty-first century.   

Reviewing A.W. Tozer’s Book 

Who is the Holy Spirit?

One of these works is How to Be Filled With the Holy Spirit. This work is a collection of four consecutive sermons that A.W. Tozer presents on the Holy Spirit. They exist “to help lead many thirsty believers to the fountain of living waters.” 

The first step to obtaining this living water occurs in chapter one as Tozer answers the question who is the Holy Spirit. This inquiry is important because one shouldn’t want to be filled with something without understanding what they’re desiring.

In His essence, the Holy Spirit is both a being and a person. This means he has a will, intelligence, the ability to love, and other qualities humans possess.  He’s also the third member of God’s triune essence who is to be reverenced like the Father and the Son. 

The Great Commission proves their equality when commanding that believers receive baptism in their name. 1 John 5:7 also confirms their equality when saying they bear witness in heaven and are one. 

Their oneness gives the Spirit the authority to empower believers to be witnesses as they spread the Gospel to the uttermost part of the earth. Along with empowering believers, the Holy Spirit also serves as an advocate, comforter, mediator, convictor, intercessor, and much more.

A.W. Tozer: The Promise & Cultivation of the Spirit

After explaining the Holy Spirit’s identity and responsibilities, A.W Tozer highlights the promise concerning the arrival of the Spirit. This promise first appears in Joel 2:28-29 and is revisited in Luke 24:49. This promise is fulfilled during Pentecost, as the Spirit indwells 120 believers in a Jerusalem Upper Room. 

These 120 are willing to wait on this promise, and they receive the Spirit’s power (influence) and presence. The Spirit’s influence gives them the ability to spread the Gospel with courage amid doubt and persecution.

This fulfillment is known as the birth of the church and is still celebrated within Christianity. This year, many Christian denominations will celebrate Pentecost Sunday on May 24, realizing we still need to experience this same indwelling today. 

It’s important to note that the Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower us for evangelism. He also regenerates our hearts and souls, making us anew in Jesus Christ.  

A.W. Tozer emphasizes this teaching with much biblical support, but you’ll have to read the book for that evidence. 

I’ll conclude this summary by stating a key point from chapter four. Here, A.W. Tozer teaches readers how they can cultivate the Holy Spirit’s presence in their lives.  

Any believer can make their souls and lives a breeding ground for more of the Holy Spirit. That said, we shouldn’t expect more of God’s indwelling presence if we’re not willing to make changes like

• Following, trusting, and obeying the Lord.
• Glorifying Jesus with our lives.
• Living righteously.  
• Meditating on and praying from scripture daily.

These steps are important because they’re an indication of a life and mind surrendering to the Spirit’s leading.

Critiquing A.W. Tozer’s Approach

Addressing Grieving the Holy Spirit

A.W. Tozer does an excellent job explaining the indications of a life surrendered to the Spirit’s leading. However, there are two ways  How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit can improve. 

First, A.W. Tozer could make the connection between living righteously and the believer’s potential to grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:25-32 suggests sins like lying, stealing, anger, rage, filthy language, slander, being unkind, and unforgiveness grieve the Spirit. 

Similarly, sexual immorality and greed can also offend the Spirit and cause the unrepentant to not inherit the Kingdom of God. I mention these transgressions because they are present in this sinful world and can be a temptation for anyone. 

Therefore, we must be careful to examine ourselves, not letting temptation, addictions, and circumstances draw us towards these sins. Otherwise, we may fall guilty of self-deception, thinking we are living in the light while actually dwelling in darkness.   

A.W. Tozer Omits Personal Examples

Another way to improve How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit is by including personal examples.  A.W. Tozer could use personal experiences concerning how the Holy Spirit helps him demonstrate love in a trying situation. 

Or, he could mention how the Holy Spirit leads him to forgive a seemingly unforgivable offense. Furthermore, he should reveal how the Spirit compels him to give to someone in need or pray for a specific individual. 

Incorporating personal instances helps believers understand that they do not have to be the most mature or biblically knowledgeable to receive the Spirit’s indwelling. All they have to do is be a willing vessel.

Do We Really Desire the Holy Spirit?

Willing vessels are believers who truly desire the Holy Spirit’s leading in their lives. I like the fact that A.W. Tozer addresses the believer’s desire to be filled in chapter three.

The reason why is that some believers don’t want the Holy Spirit so they can draw closer to God. They just want his power to complete divine assignments and appear spiritually elite. 

Those who truly desire the Holy Spirit are willing to change their attitude and habits to make their hearts a home for the Lord. They may even pray as David does in Psalm 86:11. “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth, give me an undivided heart to revere your  name.”

May this be our prayer as we celebrate Pentecost and daily, while striving to please God in all our ways. 

Thank You!

Thank you for reading the latest article from the Electi A Deo Experience! Feel free to comment on the article and share it with someone you know. Be blessed and have a great weekend!