Are you walking in the Spirit? Or are you just scuffing your way through life? The Bible is clear when it comes to living the Christian life – without the help in leading, encouraging, and empowering of the Holy Spirit, we could never do what we are supposed to be doing in the way we are called to do it.
Romans 8:1–5 (KJV) — 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit is not just fancy talk for seeking to be spiritually minded. Rather, walking in the Spirit is the powerful means to overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil.
Galatians 5:16 (ESV) — 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:25 (ESV) — 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
The Puritan, Richard Sibbs equated living by the Spirit is living in such a way that you consider the Holy Spirit your guest in your house (your body). As you think of Him as your guest, then like any good host would do, you keep things neat and tidy and are ready to meet any of His wishes.
Remember that the Holy Spirit is not any less God than the Father or the Son. Hence, as the Holy Spirit dwells in you, God dwells in you. His work is to empower you, help you, encourage you, and comfort your as He brings you the assurance of your pleasing God.
Romans 8:15–16 (ESV) — 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Backing up a bit in Romans 8, we see the importance of relying upon the Holy Spiri as it pertains to pushing back the flesh to serve our carnal wants and desires, to finding true life and peace in obeying God.
Romans 8:5–8 (ESV) — 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Walking in the Spirit is life, but trying to serve God in our own power is drudgery. Some would ask, “How can I tell? Am I walking in the Spirit or am I giving into the flesh?” Since giving into the flesh and walking in the spirit cannot coexist, we must be on guard against falling into the trap of doing what feels good because we’ll end up down the road of the flesh while disregarding and disrespecting the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:19–25 (ESV) — 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Jesus taught us that God’s goal for us is to bring forth fruit; therefore, He prunes us when we do bring forth fruit that we may bring forth more fruit. Ultimately, we must realize that without Hiim we can do nothing. Therefore, living our lives in dependency upon the Lord Jesus Christ results in being led by the Holy Spirit and walking in the Spirit and ultimately bringing forth fruit to His glory.
John 15:1–8 (ESV) — 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Since we always end up doing whatever we want to do, in other words whatever we have set as our priority, we’ll end up doing that. If your priority is all about you and feeling good, then you’ll tend to be undisciplined as you seek for pleasure. However, if you have as a goal to please the Lord Jesus Christ and to rely upon the leading and power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish that goal, then you will find a way to read and study the word of God along with time to pray with God each day. Not only that but fellowship with other believers will not be a drudgery but a delight because in doing so, you will be walking in the Spirit.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
