According to scripture, Christians are told to walk in the Spirit. Do we really understand what that means to us in our lives? Let’s discuss How to Walk in the Spirit and Stay Grounded.
- What is the definition of walking in the Spirit?
- What is the purpose of walking in the Spirit?
- Walking in the Spirit: Ways to help stay grounded.
What is the definition of walking in the Spirit?
Bible Study Tools gives this definition. “Walk towards the truth of God’s Word. To walk in the Spirit is to walk in the Word. God the Holy Spirit breathed out the very Word of God. The Bible says that this, then, became flesh in the person of Jesus our Lord. Walk in His Word today and every day.”
What is the purpose of walking in the Spirit?
Galatians 5:16-18 NIV “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
In this passage we see the flesh and Spirit contrasted.
What are the desires of the flesh?
Galatians 5: 19-21 NIV “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Desires of the flesh are listed in the above passage. It’s not hard to understand why these are considered to be sinful. They are all things we don’t like. Yet, in the flesh we can be guilty of them.
What are the desires of the Spirit?
Galatians 5:22-25 NIV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Here we see what the desires or fruit of the Spirit is. When we are walking in the Spirit, these are things we can produce as Christians. Yet, if we are walking according to the flesh, we can’t do them. They come from our dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit: Ways to help stay grounded.
Salvation:
Romans 8:9 NIV “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”
Always make sure you have taken the initial step. Have you repented of your sin and accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If not, do so now. Just takes a minute.
Dependence on God’s Word:
Psalm 119:105 NIV “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
To stay strong in the Lord, the Bible is a must. It’s a record of God’s way for us, that He has given to help in our walk with Him. There is an answer to any problem we have. Depend on it, read it and learn.
Prayer:
Romans 8:26 NIV “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
When we are weak, He is strong. Go to God in prayer and ask for strength to walk in His way. If struggling with a particular problem which seems impossible, tell Him. He will give you the strength needed to overcome the problem.
Confess sin:
1 John 1:9 NIV “f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Whenever you realize you have sinned, go to the Father and confess it. He knows about it, but He wants you to acknowledge your sin. If it stays unconfessed, this breaks fellowship with Him.
Don’t let sin reign:
Romans 6:12 NIV “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”
This is where unconfessed sin can cause problems. If we allow our sin to go unchecked, it usually leads to more sin. We become dull to our faults and our life goes off track with what God wants in our life. Don’t let sin rule your life.
Be not conformed to the world:
Romans 12:2 NIV “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
We become a new creation when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Our mind is renewed and transforms our life. This helps us to stay away from the temptations of the world. It is renewed by God’s Word and His indwelling Spirit.
Be careful who we listen to:
1 John 4:1 NIV “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
There is a lot of information about Jesus Christ and the Bible. We need to be careful who we listen to. False prophets usually deny Jesus Christ and try to destroy the Gospel. Always check what they are saying with the Word of God. If they add or take away from scripture, don’t listen to them.
Conclusion
The important point in walking in the Spirit and being able to stay grounded is to remember who Jesus Christ is and what He did for us.
Galatians 2:20 NIV “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
When we accept Jesus as our salvation, we have been crucified with Him. It is by knowing and sharing with Him that we have the desire to walk in His Spirit.
If you have any questions about this post, please comment below. -Jackie
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