What Does it Mean to Walk in the Spirit?
First of all, you and I are three-part beings. I am a spirit, I possess a soul, and I live in a body. The spirit of man is willing to follow the leading and promptings of the Holy Spirit, but sometimes the body isn’t quite so willing. See Matthew 26:41. That’s where walking in the Spirit comes in to help us. Walking in the Spirit is not just a once a day activity. Walking in the Spirit means including God in life throughout the whole day. This is not about rules and regulations that we follow as rituals. I’m referring to a flourishing, developing connection with Jesus Christ that grows daily.
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. Matthew 26:41 to 43 KJV
Definition of Walking in the Spirit.
My definition: walking in the Spirit means, following the direction of the Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives daily, 365 days a year. And that denotes not obeying the dictates of the flesh or what some call “our carnal side or baser instincts.” I believe the only way to walk in the Spirit habitually is to get and stay full of the Holy Spirit. In other words, be full of the Word, live a life full of prayer, be kind even when uncomfortable. Such as refraining from speaking anything negative when tempted; be quiet, or being willing to take low. Doing these things may hurt inside for a brief moment, but it will inevitably please God beyond our imagination. These momentary afflictions See II Corinthians 4:17.
Quickly defined: it means loving God and His people and being obedient. When God tells you to do something, do it. When He tells you not to do something, don’t do it.
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. I John 5:1 to 3 KJV
Examples of Walking in the Spirit.
There are numerous ways to walk in the Spirit, like waiting before God in His presence and following through on the things He tells us to do. Another way is fasting food, t.v., video games, social media for hours, or even a day! And then dedicating that time to consecrate ourselves in prayer or deep intercession for others. Below, I’m focusing on four methods.
A. Praying. I’m referring to prayer as a lifestyle, not just prayer in the morning, but also pray before you go to sleep. Pray and ask Him to be a part of all that you do and say.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path. Proverbs 3:6
B. Studying the Word to understand more about the Lord, grow in your Christian life, and to obtain revelation of the Bible and what He expects from you. See Romans 12:2 and II Timothy 2:15
C. Listening and Not Rushing to Respond. Being a good listener to the Lord and to people is one of the best ways to walk in the Spirit. The Lord doesn’t like to fight for our attention, so many times, He’ll wait until we’re quiet or sleep before revealing answers to our questions or important matters He wants to convey to us. Be quick to hear and slow to speak. Proverbs says to reply until you’ve heard the whole matter. See Proverbs 18:13.
D. Worshipping. We should seek to spend time reading praise Scriptures and singing songs to the Lord. If you’re under a spiritual attack, this is an excellent way to cause opposing forces to leave. See Psalm 16:11, Psalm 33:2 to 12, and Psalm 34:1 to 7. Worship also causes the Lord Himself to move on your behalf because praise and worship draws God close to you. See Psalm 22:3, Psalm 98:4 to 9, and Psalm 149:4 to 9.
Note that walking in the Spirit is basically the same as walking in the Light. This is true because the Holy Trinity all agree as One. To walk in the Spirit or the Light is to uphold the statutes and guidelines established in the Bible for Believers.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Galatians 5:16 to 18 KJV
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Ephesians 5:8 KJV
Benefits of Walking in the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit brings enlightenment, enables us to hear His voice better, postures us for breakthroughs, miracles, and spiritual advancement just to name a few. There could be thousands of benefits to consistently and committedly walking in the Spirit with the right intentions.
A. Cleanses Us from All Sin.
Walking in the Spirit means obeying the Word. As we study the Word and obey, it cleanses us. As we continue in the Word, we'll find that it cleanses us from all sin.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. I John 1:4 to 7 KJV
B. He Teaches Us.
The Holy Ghost will teach you all things and bring all things back to your remembrance that He has spoken to us. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would lead and guide us in all truth.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 KJV
C. Leads and Guides Us into All Truth.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. See the verse above: John 14:26b. We can rest assured with the Holy Spirit because He will comfort us, encourage us, teach us and according to the verse above, He will also lead and guide us into all truth. He will never steer us in the wrong direction.
It is not God’s will that we be left in the dark, and the Holy Spirit sees to it that we are not. All we need to do is pray, and seek God for direction and the answer will come.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13 KJV
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. I John 5:6 KJV
If we try to do it all on our own, walking in the Spirit is extremely difficult, I would even dare to say “impossible.” In order to walk and live as the Holy Spirit directs, we need His help. The Holy Spirit is fully capable of leading and guiding us into all truth because He is the Spirit of truth. God took Jesus back to heaven, but He left us the Word and His Spirit. I think that says it all.
Blessings,
Tanda
Attribution.
Blog Cover Photo by KoolShooters from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-in-jacket-standing-on-the-empty-road-6494666/
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