How can I walk in the Spirit?

Quick answer

To walk by the Spirit is to turn from sin and walk with God in holy living. When we walk by the Spirit, people will see the results of God producing His “fruit” in our lives.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Believers are called to walk by the Spirit as opposed to the desires of our flesh. Galatians 5:16 teaches, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." What does it mean to walk by or in the Spirit? In contrast with those who live by the flesh or human sinful nature, believers are called to live by the Spirit and the ways of God. Part of the idea of walking in the Spirit is to set our minds on the things of the Spirit. This includes ending sinful practices, being led by the Spirit, knowing the Father through Jesus, and prayer (Romans 8:26). A person committed to holy living, fellowship with God, and an intimate prayer life is the kind of person who is walking in the Spirit.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

In the Old Testament, the Spirit would come intermittently upon the saints, empowering them for service but not necessarily remaining with them. The Spirit "rushed upon" Lehi (Judges 15:14) and "clothed" Amasai (1 Chronicles 12:18). The Spirit was with David (1 Samuel 16:13) and able to be removed from him (Psalm 51:11), and the Spirit "fell upon" Ezekiel and spoke to him (Ezekiel 11:5). The Spirit, who had once been with King Saul, "departed from" him, removing His influence and guidance from the king (1 Samuel 16:14). After Pentecost, the Spirit began to indwell those who belong to God through Christ (Romans 8:9–17; Ephesians 1:13–14).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Romans 8:3–5 describes how to walk in the Spirit: "For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit" (emphasis added).

Romans 8:12–16 adds more details to our walk: “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 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. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

Galatians 5:16–25 contrasts the works of the flesh with our walk in the Spirit. “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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Galatians 5:16 contrasts walking by the Spirit with gratifying the desires of the flesh. There is a clear command to turn from the flesh and to pursue the fruit of the Spirit. Further, walking in the Spirit involves "keep[ing] in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). This includes, "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:26). In other words, an additional mark of walking in the Spirit is loving others. Instead of conceit, provoking, and envy, we are called to humility, encouragement, and love. Walking in the Spirit involves loving others to the extent of helping other people out of sin. This includes carefully watching one's own life to avoid falling to temptation. As we keep in step with the Spirit, our lives should reflect His character, drawing others toward Christ.

UNDERSTAND

Walking in the Spirit means turning away from sin and pursuing holy living.

The Spirit now indwells believers permanently, and we can walk according to the Spirit and not our flesh.

Walking in the Spirit produces godly fruit.

REFLECT

What areas of your life reveal whether you are walking by the Spirit or by the flesh?

How can you set your mind more consistently on the things of the Spirit in your daily life?

How has the Spirit helped you grow in displaying the fruit of the Spirit?

ENGAGE

How does understanding the Spirit’s permanent indwelling influence the way we approach walking in holiness?

What practical steps can we take to encourage others to walk in accordance with the Spirit and not the flesh?

How do the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit affect relationships within the church?