God's good gifts

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11
Let’s admit it – none of us is perfect and without sin (‘evil’ here is the Greek poneros, meaning able to cause hurt, guilty). But we know how to treat our children well. We enjoy giving them gifts that make them smile, and we know how to take care of them, what needs they have, and how to protect them. How much more does God, our heavenly Father, know how to take care of us, what our needs are, and how to protect us! And He also enjoys giving us things that make us smile. We should not be afraid to ask God for anything. He loves it when we come to Him, acknowledging our need.
In Luke 11:13 Jesus reiterates this teaching by saying, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Many Christians today are averse to the idea of ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, because they are afraid they will lose control of themselves, having heard of people barking like dogs and laughing uncontrollably. This is a real loss for them, because the Scriptures teach the Holy Spirit does not override our will and our bodily functions. What those manifestations are, I am not sure. But Jesus equates the Holy Spirit with a good gift that God gives us, and one to be sought. If we ask to be filled with the Spirit, He will not give us a demon or cause us to involuntarily embarrass ourselves. God will only give us good things.