“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” (John 15:26)
WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Since the beginning of the early Christian Church there have been many different doctrines and beliefs as to what it means to “walk in the Spirit”.
The same holds true today.
Satan does not want you to discover how to walk in the Spirit.
At the very most he would like to see you fall in your Christian walk, give up, and turn from the faith.
At the very least he would like to see you continuously stumble and falter so that your faith would be weak and ineffectual.
Before we establish our belief as to what it is to “walk in the Spirit”, let us see what it is not.
First, “walking in the Spirit” is not how you dress or how you look. Although how you dress and look might reflect the way you think, it will in no way empower you or create in you the ability to “walk in the Spirit”.
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1Sam. 16:7)
Walking in the Spirit is not being so “heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good.”
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” (Matt. 5:13)
It is not belonging to a certain Church, or denomination, or group. It is not how many times a day you pray, or fast, or read your Bible, or attend service.
What is “walking in the Spirit?”
First and foremost, walking in the Spirit is a choice.
It is the determination to reject the world and the flesh and choose what we know to be God’s will according to His Word.
It is then allowing and trusting in the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower us to walk in that righteous choice.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16)
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal. 5:17)
“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” (Gal. 5:18)
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,” (Gal. 5:19)
“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,” (Gal. 5:20)
“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:21)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” (Gal. 5:22)
“Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Gal. 5:23)
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” (Gal. 5:24)
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25)
The Bible tells us:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)
It is our belief that the Scriptures you have read in this blog series and the Scriptures you shall read will create in you the spiritual hearing to have faith to repent of all sin, receive forgiveness, crucify the flesh, reject worldliness, resist the devil, pick yourself up, turn around, and walk in the Spirit to do the will of God.
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” (Prov. 24:16)
(NEXT: The Power of the Holy Ghost)
All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices
As Seen Through the Eyes of Faith 