Walking In The Spirit

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As Christians, we have been given the Holy Spirit as our guide in life, guiding us in perfect love and wisdom. When we walk in the Spirit, we are free in Christ.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slaver. (Galatians 5:1)

What is “walking in the Spirit”? Walking in the Spirit implies that we depend on the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and actions, enabling us to overcome the world. The power of God resides in us through the Spirit, and He leads us in all truth, allowing us to experience life in full.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and live it to the full (John 10:10)

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1Corinthians 3:16)

Walking according to God’s guidance, through the Spirit, is such a blessing! Our creator knows all, and loves us (his creation) so much. He knows the beginning and the end, and how everything works in between. Who better to follow than the One who has the whole picture?

But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.(John 16:13)

The Spirit reveals who God is, and who we are, through His word, and this is critical. Satan and his demons are filling the world with lies and deceit. If you don’t have a strong foundation on the Word, it will be easy for you to be deceived and give in to worldly desires.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

The Spirit gives us divine power to resist the sinful desires of the flesh. He draws us closer to the Lord, increasing our faith and allowing us to overcome. We are not controlled by our sinful nature, but by our love and reverence for the Lord.

Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Hearing The Spirit

The key to hearing God is to know the language of God, which is His Word. That is how we filter everything we see and hear to know whether it is from God. The Spirit will bring us revelation as we spend time in the Word, so that we will be able to discern successfully.

The Lord speaks to us through the Spirit, but we must be willing to listen! The more we ask the Spirit for guidance, the more we will hear. The Spirit brings conviction whenever Satan leads us down the right path and, if we follow his warning, it will keep us aligned with God’s divine plan. The more we practice asking, praying, and listening, the more successful we will be at denying the desires of the flesh.

For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11)

The Spirit knows the thoughts of God! How comforting to know that we have access to this knowledge. If we are willing to listen, he will reveal God’s truth to us. When doubt comes, he is able to comfort us by revealing God’s plan or reminding us that, no matter what, God works all things together for good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, we have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Divine understanding of the world and those around us is given by the Spirit. We are  spiritual beings, Satan and his demons are rulers of the air, and God is sovereign over everything. As we begin to see the world from a spiritual view, knowing Satan’s intent, and God’s plan, and by studying the book of Revelations, we will have an understanding beyond what we see in the physical during our time on the earth.

We know that the world needs God, and that He is the answer for every soul we encounter. When we minister to people, the Spirit leads us to the scripture that they need to hear.

Spiritual Guidance

Through spiritual guidance, we learn to control our thoughts, depend on the prompting of the Spirit as our guide and walk in faith, trusting the Lord. This will always be a work in progress, but the more we draw near to God, the more natural it will be to follow the Spirit.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists, and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

If we see ourselves as self-sufficient, and try to take control, it will be difficult to follow the Spirit. By ignoring the divine wisdom and guidance of our Lord, not only will we fail to follow His ways, but we will be guilty of pride. 

But he gives us more grace. That is why the Scripture says: “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6)

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

We are created to be a light in this world, and point people to the Kingdom (this is the fruit that we bear). But we cannot do that in our own strength. We must allow the Spirit to guide us. If we ask with the intent to hear, he will give us wisdom to say what needs to be said.

Staying In The Spirit

Remaining in the Spirit can be a difficult task to learn. It takes a daily decision to let the Spirit guide you. It is so worth it to remain disciplined. Remaining in the Spirit keeps our thoughts on the Word and on our Lord, both in our conscious mind and our subconscious mind.

The following is a quote that describes being connected to the Spirit in both our conscious and unconscious mind: “Many have found the secret of which I speak and, without giving much thought to what is going on within them, constantly practice this habit of inwardly gazing upon God. They know that something inside their hearts sees God. Even when they are compelled to withdraw their conscious attention in order to engage in earthly affairs, there is within them a secret communion always going on. Let their attention but be released for a moment from necessary business and it flies at once to God again.” (Pursuit of God, T.W. Tozer, pg 89)

Below is a brief list that can help us stay in the Spirit, which can help us to have a secret communion as mentioned by Tozer.

  • Serving the Lord

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; If any man serve me, him will my Father honor. (John 12:26)

When the Lord changes our hearts, we live to serve him by pointing lost souls to Christ. This is now our first priority in life and the main reason we live, and it will keep us in the Spirit, seeking to be Christ-like.

  • Prayer, time in the Word, and fellowship

Praying, studying the Word and fellowshipping with our Christian family, becomes more important and desirable. This is because we need the Word for ministering, we need prayer for ministering, and we need fellowship for encouragement and guidance. The more we minister to the world, the more we need and desire prayer, Word, and fellowship; because it gives us a closer relationship with the Lord, and He helps us to stay in the Spirit.

  • Meditation

Christian meditation is a form of prayer where our thoughts are deeply focused and reflect up on the revelations of God. When we meditate, we should be alone in a quiet location with our thoughts on the Lord and his Word, such that we escape the world and move into the Spirit. Meditation takes practice, but the rewards are great because it increases our closeness to the Lord, increases our faith, and comforts us. 

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8)

  • Making choices

Whenever we make choices in word or action, let’s be reminded to seek Godly wisdom, and not react out of emotion. 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19-20)

If we train ourselves to be quick to listen and slow to speak, we can respond with godly wisdom, which is greatly to our advantage.

Walking in the Spirit is something we will have to continually work on until our last breath. The blessings of doing so are numerous, including: bringing us closer to the Lord, allowing us to experience others coming into His kingdom, increasing our love and faith, and opens the door for Christ to guide us and carry us to our Heavenly home.

Strive to walk in the Spirit always, and pray for the Lord’s divine guidance and help to do so. You will find that the more you do it, the more it becomes natural and desirable. Walking in the Spirit gives us control through God’s power. The more love and power we experience, the more humble and secure we become.