Walk by the Spirit
There is something that Paul writes in Galatians that is so vital in walking in spiritual victory as a believer. SOMETHING EVERY BELIEVER OUGHT TO KNOW! But first let me take you to John 15, where Jesus tells believer that apart from Him they can do nothing. Nothing here means nothing. It’s impossible to bear any spiritual fruit in your walk with jesus apart from Jesus. He abides in us by the Holy Spirit.
BELIEVERS ARE THEN COMMANDED IN TWO PLACES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT TO WALK UNDER THE BEAUTIFUL Influence of the Holy Spirit so that they may bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit in their lives. One is Galatians, where Paul writes;
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:16-17)
Another is the book of Romans;
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13)
But the big question is; How do you walk by the Spirit? How do you live by the Spirit? Well, walking by the SPIRIT is you doing everything in your power to maximize the influence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Because when you walk by the Spirit, the Holy Spirit’s influence grows in your life and you will start to bear His fruits. Walking by the Spirit involves you doing everything in your power to practise those spiritual disciplines that draw God near to you. There is a beautiful truth we are given in the book of James. It is written,
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
So everytime we draw near to God, God draws near to us and His influence over us increases. In order for you to walk by the Spirit, cut off everything that will diminish His influence over you and do those things that will maximize His influence over you. What are these things, well, they include; Readicng the scripture, meditating on them, worshipping God with song, listening to worship music, feed on Goldy material, listen to Godly and Biblical sermons. prayer this is key. Whatever draws you to the presence of God is an invitation of the Holy Spirit Influence over you.
There is something that Paul writes in Galatians that is so vital to walking in spiritual victory as a believer—something every believer ought to know. But first, let’s go back to John 15, where Jesus tells His disciples: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (ESV)
Nothing means nothing. It’s impossible to bear any spiritual fruit in your walk with Jesus apart from Jesus Himself. He abides in us through the Holy Spirit.
Believers are commanded in two key places in the New Testament to walk under the beautiful influence of the Holy Spirit so that they may bear His fruit in their lives.
1. Galatians 5:16–17 (ESV)
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
2. Romans 8:13 (ESV)
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die,
but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
SO, HOW DO YOU WALK BY THE SPIRIT?
Walking by the Spirit means doing everything in your power to maximize the influence of the Holy Spirit in your life. As you do this, the Holy Spirit’s influence grows stronger in you, and you will begin to bear His fruit (see Galatians 5:22–23). Walking by the Spirit involves actively practicing spiritual disciplines that draw you near to God. This truth is beautifully expressed in James 4:8:
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
Every time you draw near to God, His presence and influence over your life increases.
In order for you to walk by the Spirit, cut off everything that will diminish His influence over you and do those things that will maximize His influence over you. What are these things, well, they include.
-Reading Scripture daily – Psalm 1:2 –
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
-Meditating on God’s Word,
- Worshiping through song and music – Psalm 100:2 –
“Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”
- Listening to Christ - centered worship and teaching.
-Feeding your mind and soul with Godly material, Listening to sound biblical sermons,
- Prayer – this is key – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 –
“Pray without ceasing.”
Whatever draws you to the presence of God is an invitation to come under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Yield to Him daily, and He will lead you into a life that bears eternal fruit.
