How To Start Walking In The Spirit - The Meaning of Galatians 5:16
We who are in Christ are called to “conform to His image” or be like Him (Romans 8:29). We should manifest His attributes like holiness, kindness, and love. However, with the presence of sin, we often find it hard to fulfill that calling of Christ-likeness. So how do we achieve our goal of being more like Jesus? First, we should start walking in the Spirit.
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit
To truly walk in the Spirit, we must first understand the profound significance of having the Holy Spirit indwelling within us. This divine indwelling occurs when we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit, described as the "Helper" by Christ in the Gospel of John, was promised to us before Jesus returned to the Father.
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” —John 14:16-17 NASB95
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a transformative experience that empowers us to follow Christ faithfully and overcome the world's challenges through unwavering faith. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, the Spirit takes up residence within us, making our bodies His permanent dwelling place. Paul eloquently described this divine reality to the church in Corinth, declaring that "you are a temple of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit remains in us forever, forming an eternal covenant with those who believe in Jesus. This assurance of God's abiding presence gives us unwavering confidence in His providence and guidance throughout our lifetime. As we experience His constant companionship, we learn to trust Him more and more with every step we take.
Moreover, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit serves a vital role in our transformation into Christ-likeness. This transformative process, known as sanctification, occurs throughout the believer's life. God brings about this sanctification through the power of His Word and the Holy Spirit, as the "Spirit of truth" plays a crucial role in this process. He reminds us of God's commandments, guides us in understanding and applying His Word, and teaches us the ways of righteousness. Consequently, we become more and more like Jesus and begin to manifest His attributes and character, particularly His holiness.
“But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; [16] because it is written, "You SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." —1 Peter 1:15-16 NASB95
Walking in the Spirit
The sanctification and transformation into Christ-likeness process is not a passive endeavor; it demands our active participation and cooperation with God. Merely relying on God's hand alone without our willingness to partner with Him in this transformative journey would be incomplete. The Scriptures beautifully illustrate this dynamic relationship as "walking in the Spirit." Only by embracing this concept can God bear the fruit of righteousness and good works within us.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” —Galatians 5:16-17 NASB95
Walking in the Spirit stands in direct contrast to walking in the flesh. It entails obeying God's commandments, particularly to love one another as Christ loved us. By embracing love as the guiding principle of our lives, we align ourselves with the Spirit's purposes and experience His transforming power.
Conversely, walking in the flesh involves succumbing to the desires and lusts of our fallen nature, such as immorality, impurity, and sensuality. However, as followers of Christ, we have been set free from the bondage of sin. Returning to these former ways of living not only hinders our spiritual growth but also grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). This sense of despair we feel when we stray from the right path is the Lord's gentle reminder to redirect us back to the path of righteousness.
To truly please God, we must intentionally walk with Him. As we increasingly walk in the Spirit, we naturally leave behind the works of the flesh. The two are inherently incompatible and contradictory. The more we cultivate a life led by the Spirit, the less room there is for the deeds of the flesh to manifest in us.
Be Filled with the Spirit
As believers who earnestly seek to walk in the Spirit, it is essential to understand the profound significance of being filled with the Spirit. This filling represents a continual surrender to God's will and yielding our lives to His transformative power. The more we yield to God and align ourselves with His commandments, the more He will produce good fruit within us through the Holy Spirit. To be filled with the Spirit means giving God complete control and authority in our lives, allowing Him to take the "driver's seat" and lead us towards righteousness.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” —Galatians 5:22-23 NASB95
The more the Spirit produces this good fruit in us, the more useful and equipped we become for the Kingdom of God. The Spirit equips and empowers us for significant works of service within the body of believers and in reaching out to the world around us. Through these works, we become instruments of God's love and grace, impacting the lives of others and bringing glory to His name.
Being filled with the Spirit also creates deep joy and contentment. The joy emanating from the Spirit's presence within us transcends circumstances and worldly experiences. The joy springs from our intimate relationship with God and the assurance of His love and salvation.
Are You Ready to Start Walking in the Spirit?
Pause and reflect on the depth of your life's journey. Are you intentional in how you live each day, mindful of the impact you leave on this earth? Do you seize every moment, maximizing your time and the opportunities presented? Above all, do you open your heart to allow God to produce His good works in and through you?
Make fellowship with God your daily priority. Each day, dedicate more time to prayer, for it is the means through which we communicate with God. In our prayers, we can worship Him and express gratitude for His goodness and faithfulness. It is also a moment to seek forgiveness for our sins and trespasses, where we can be transparent in His presence and pour out our hearts. Through prayer, we can present our requests and needs, knowing with certainty that God hears and answers our petitions.
“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. [15] And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” -—1 John 5:14-15 NASB95
Another daily priority should be reading His Word. We discover more about God in the Scriptures—His attributes and character. As our knowledge of Him deepens, our trust in Him grows. The fears and anxieties that plague us dissipate. Moreover, through His commandments, we come to know the heart of God, and they become a guiding light for our daily walk of faith. The Bible serves as our manual of faith, instructing us on how to treat others and exhibit Christ's love. Let us develop the daily habit of immersing ourselves in and cherishing the Word of God.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; [17] so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB95
Additionally, nurturing a relationship with God involves being part of a community of believers, highlighting the church's importance. We grow in maturity by surrounding ourselves with fellow believers, praying together, studying God's Word, and engaging in collective worship. Within the church, God has placed individuals who can help and guide us as we strive to become more like Christ. It is a place where we can be used mightily for the Kingdom of God, serving through various ministries that allow us to serve God and others. Be steadfast in attending and actively participating in your church, ensuring you make a significant impact on the Kingdom of God.
We can only experience the fullness of life by being transformed in the image of Christ. So start walking in the Spirit today and be filled with the power that comes from God. Share the love of Christ to the world! We can do so through Him who strengthens us through the Holy Spirit!
