Walking in the Spirit

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

The flesh is a term the Bible uses to describe everything within a person that is against God. We have some degree of control over this with Jesus, but as long as we are on earth and not in heaven we will struggle with our flesh. God tells us not to walk in the flesh, but in the Spirit. In the Spirit of God, we are able to more fully resist the flesh and live more as the person God intended us to be.

In order to walk in the Spirit, we must have the Spirit living in us. We must surrender to Jesus as a Christ-follower. At that moment, the Spirit enters us, lives in us, and helps us know the will of God and pursue Christ-likeness with our lives. The Holy Spirit has every good quality you could imagine. The Spirit gives us the power to bear burdens and adversity that come our way. The Spirit is also our guide for daily living. The Spirit knows the path that leads you away from everything harmful and negative, and toward what blesses and benefits you, your family, your neighbor, and your friends. The Spirit also fills you with the joy of who you are in Christ, and peace and confidence because of your relationship with Christ.

When we are walking in the Spirit, we are more able to be obedient to the Word of God. When you are tempted, you are not yet sinning, but it’s a decision point where you can either choose to disobey God or turn away from sin and obey God. The Spirit helps us overcome temptation.

The flesh includes all of your urges to sin. When you find your mind looking to be satisfied in something other than Christ, you may be caught in lust or idolatry. By contrast, living by the Spirit results in actions from a mind that is pursuing Christ. In Galatians 5:22, the Bible reminds us of the “fruit”, or actions, of the Spirit. When we live in the Spirit we will have peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.

God, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit. Help me to live in the Spirit by listening to Him daily. When I am tempted and lust after things that are not of You, may Your Spirit remind me as my guide of how to please You through my attitudes, thoughts, and actions. In Jesus’ name, amen.