How to Walk by the Spirit
What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? How do I rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life? First, to answer these questions, it is essential to know that the Holy Spirit indwells all who believe in Jesus Christ. And God sent Him to indwell you the moment you believed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for your sins. But what is not known or understood is how to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, too many continue to trust in themselves to live the Christian life.
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Galatians 3:2-3
It is by faith alone that you were born again by the Spirit. So, now that you are a child of God, when did you begin to rely on yourself to follow Jesus? Consequently, instead of soaring like an eagle by faith, you are flapping harder and harder, trying to live out the will of God. Following Jesus has now become a joyless duty.
Furthermore, as a result of trying to live the Christian life by your effort, you are left feeling discouraged and disillusioned. So, no wonder you think the Christian life does not work. Life in the Spirit is supernatural!
Be Filled and Walk by the Spirit
Before proceeding, it is necessary to distinguish the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit from the filling of the Spirit. Again, The Holy Spirit indwelt you when you received Jesus as your Savior, but the Holy Spirit does not automatically control you. So, to make Jesus Lord of your life, you must continually submit to Him by faith. Therefore, to be filled with the Spirit is a choice to seek God, moment by moment.
Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18
The analogy is simple: if you choose to drink too much alcohol, you are then filled and controlled by alcohol. So, consequently, you display the effects of alcohol to others. In the same way, when you ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, you yield to His influence and control, and others see Jesus in you.
To walk by the Spirit, surrender to Jesus by faith because He said: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Jesus said you can do nothing of spiritual value apart from Him, so take Jesus’ words to heart. Instead of trying to please God with human effort, confess this as a sin and ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Because to walk by the Spirit daily is to ask Jesus to lead, guide, teach, and help you do the things God wants you to do.
By Faith, Walk by the Spirit
Worship by the Spirit of God, glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3
The flesh is your human nature independent of God, so your natural bent is to rely on yourself and leave God out. When you live by the flesh, you do what comes naturally, so you do not naturally want to serve God; you want to exalt and please yourself.
Your self-willed flesh also explains why it is such an effort to set aside time for spiritual things such as Bible study and prayer. But be alert because the Bible says: Those controlled by their sinful nature cannot please God because a sinful mind is hostile to God.
So then, take a moment to reflect on your daily life. Would you say you mostly rely on yourself and your natural abilities to manage things? Do you reflect the love of Christ to people not like yourself? Accordingly, if your answer is yes to the first question and no to the second, that is good because you realize there is no power in the flesh to do the will of God!
The Flesh Opposes the Spirit
There is no self-sufficiency in the Christian life because there is no power in the flesh to do the will of God! Furthermore, God does not help those who help themselves. This thinking is not only not biblical, but it also diminishes God.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are against each other so that you do not do what you want. Galatians 5:17
It is impossible to give in to the desires of the flesh and walk by the Spirit simultaneously. The reason is that the natural part of you, your self-will, only wants to serve sin, which is opposed to the will of God. So, the Spirit fights against your sin-loving flesh that demands gratification and only loses when you give in to temptation.
In summary, you cannot please God in the flesh by human effort. Therefore, ask God to help you rely on the Holy Spirit’s power alone for victory over temptation and sin.
Walk by the Spirit to Put Away Sin
The Lord Jesus saved you from the penalty and power of sin, but not from the presence of sin. So, what the natural life produces apart from the Holy Spirit of God is plain to see.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
As a follower of Jesus, you will have sin to contend with until you see Jesus face to face. And you know this to be true as you lash out in anger when things don’t go your way. But, of course, this pleases the flesh but not God. So then, when you realize you are not walking in the Spirit, confess your sin to God and continue to walk by faith.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Only Jesus lived a sinless life so that you will sin, but as you rely on the Holy Spirit, He empowers you to put away sin. Therefore, when the Spirit of God convicts you, confess your sin and believe God forgives you and cleanses you from all unrighteousness. Then, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit and continue to look to Jesus by faith to put away your sins.
To Walk by The Spirit is Supernatural
And Jesus died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:15
The Christian life is not natural but supernatural! So, those who walk by the Spirit rely on what Christ has already done through His death and resurrection. Therefore, they put no confidence in themselves to live the Christian life.
Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
Before your life in Christ, you gratified whatever desires and impulses your flesh demanded. But as you rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to do the will of God, you will not do what your natural self yearns to do.
To walk by the Spirit is to allow Jesus to live His life through you by faith.
To walk by the Spirit is to stay connected to Jesus by faith. And then live a life of continual surrender that says, “Not my will but your will, Lord.” Only Jesus modeled a life lived in perfect obedience to the will of God, and the good news is that the Spirit of Christ lives in you. Therefore, walk by the Spirit by faith in the finished work of Christ.
Jesus taught:“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “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 15:4-5
Prayers to Walk by the Spirit
Lord Jesus, keep me close to you and in your Word so I do not move away from you. Because my flesh is weak and prone to sin, I have seen that I can do nothing of spiritual value apart from you. So then, please help me depend on your Spirit to live as you lived. I believe in you, Lord Jesus, so I invite you now to live your life through me.
To walk by the Spirit is to live by faith, not by sight.
The Holy Spirit empowers those who rely on Christ by faith. Because Jesus is the Word, and faith comes from believing the Word of God, Bible study is essential to knowing God’s will and keeping in step with His Spirit.
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. Galatians 2:20
Father God, strengthen my faith and help me yield control to the Spirit of Christ who lives in me and empowers me to do your will. Help me commit to studying your Word and rely on the Holy Spirit to teach me and give me understanding so I will obey your Word.
Final Prayers to Surrender Yourself
The Holy Spirit leads those who follow Jesus.
To be filled with the Spirit of God is to surrender yourself to God’s will and then, by faith, follow where the Spirit leads. Thus, to walk by the Spirit is to keep in step with the Spirit.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God and the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15, 16
Father God, I confess that I often ignore you and go my own way. So, I ask you to help me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Then, I will follow your lead instead of my understanding. I want to see more of Jesus and less of me, so fill me with the Holy Spirit.
Thank God for The Holy Spirit
However, when you continue to ignore the Spirit of God and instead harbor sinful attitudes and gratify sinful desires, you will grieve the Holy Spirit and quench his activity in your life.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but it is not the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13
Thank you, Father God, that because of the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, I am empowered to say no to the flesh and yes to you. And thank you that I am not obligated to give in to the demands of sinful desires because the Holy Spirit is strong enough to put away sin in my life. So, please help me call on you when tempted because sin only has the power I give it.
The Results of Walking by the Spirit
The result of walking by the Spirit is to show the fruit of the Spirit.
A life lived under the control and direction of the Holy Spirit will reveal the visible fruit of faith, Jesus Christ. And as God conforms you to the likeness of His Son, more of Jesus will be seen in you day by day.
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. Galatians 5:22-25
The Holy Spirit indwells the Believer
The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity, who will never leave you or forsake you.
The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:14
The moment you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again, you are born again. And the Holy Spirit of God indwells you.
Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” John 3:5-6
The truth is that if there is no activity of the Spirit, you have not received Jesus Christ as your Savior. So, if you are unsure of your salvation, contact me.
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Romans 8:9
The Works of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers you to live the Christian life by faith
I pray that out of His glorious riches, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16-17
He teaches you from the Word of God
The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my (Jesus’) name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth
Jesus taught: But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13
The Holy Spirit Always Glorifies Jesus
He glorifies Jesus
He will glorify me (Jesus) because it is from me that He will receive what He will make known to you. John 16:14
He empowers you to be bold and tell others about Jesus
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses. Acts 1:8
The Holy Spirit helps you pray according to God’s will
The Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:27
He equips you to use the spiritual gift(s) God gave you to serve in the body of Christ
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7
The Holy Spirit gives you an understanding of God’s Word
No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:11-12
My Prayer for You
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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Bible study for “Walk by the Spirit”
Week 1: Genesis 1:1-2; Psalms 86:11; 119:1-2, 9-11; 16, 33-37; 139:7-10; 147:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 30:19-21; 40:28-31; 48:16-18; 63:7-14; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 4:6; Matthew 4:4, 10; 10:19-20; 11:28; 12:30-32; 26:41-42; 28:18-20; Luke 4:1-2, 14-19; 11:27-28
Week 2: John 1:32-34; 3:3-8; 4:23-24; 6:63; 7:37-39; 14:15-27; 15:1-8, 16-17, 26-27; 16:7-15; Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-4, 15-18, 32-33, 38-39; 4:31; 5:3-4; 9:31; 10:43-48; 20:21-24, 28; Romans 1:1-4; 4:1-5; 6:11-14, 19; 7:4-6, 18, 24-25; 8:1-17, 26-27, 29; 10:17; 12:1-21; 13:12-14; 14:17-18; 15:13-19; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 3:1-3, 16-17; 6:9-11, 18-20; 10:13; 12:1-31
Week 3: 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 21-22; 3:17-18; 5:5-10; 15, 17; 12:7-10; 13:5, 14; Galatians 2:19-21; 3:1-5, 11-14, 26-27; 5:4-5, 13-26; 6:7-8; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:8-10; 3:14-21; 4:1-6, 17-24, 29-32; 5:1-2, 8-10, 15-20; 6:10-18; Philippians 1:2-6; 2:1-5, 13; 3:3; 4:4-7, 19-20, 23; Colossians 1:3-23; 2:6-12; 3:1-11-17, 23-24
Week 4: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6; 4:1-2; 5:19-24; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 2:13-17; 2 Timothy 1:5-7, 13-14; 3:16-17; Titus 2:11-14; 3:3-8; Hebrews 11:6; 12:14-15; James 4:2-6, 17-18; 4:1-3; 1 Peter 1:1-16; 2:2, 11, 16; 4:1-3, 6, 10; 2 Peter 1:3-8, 20-21; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-6, 15-17, 20-21, 27; 3:9-10, 21-24; 4:1-6, 13-16; Jude 1:17-21, 24-25; Revelation 2:7
