When I think about walking in the Spirit, I sometimes think it’s this far off thing to be attained. Although we go from glory to glory in understanding and revelation, walking in the Spirit of God is simply choosing to set our minds on the things of God. It simply means that we are making up our minds daily, to walk in a way that’s in accordance to the word of God over the flesh and ways of the world.
I recently read a Christian parenting article written by a blogger at The Humbled Homemaker where she was authentic and humble in telling her continual growth in walking as God wants us to. The paradox of being holy, consecrated, and anointed, while dealing with the sometimes overwhelming reality of being a mom. I appreciated her for her honesty. Every moment of the day doesn’t always feel the most spiritual because we are still in the flesh.
The reality is that even though I’m still on my journey of sanctification and ever developing in my relationship with the Lord, God has given strategies to help me. Not only that but I’ve had to die to my flesh at another level before writing this. I wanted to be an authentic daughter of God as I encourage others in the same thing I’m living in my life. So in humility and authenticity I write this article to help others with walking in the Spirit using that same help God has given me.
Walking in the Spirit Means Denying Yourself
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:24-25 NKJV
If we are going to talk about walking in the Spirit we have to talk about dying just a little more (or a lot more if we’re honest) to the flesh. The flesh seems to be the predominant factor that’s holding us back from enjoying all the benefits that living life in the Spirit has to offer. Here are just a few of those benefits:
- Peace that surpasses all understanding
- Joy
- An immovable disposition in Christ
The flesh is an enemy of the Holy Spirit that can’t even do the things God wants us to do (Galatians 5:17). The more we continue to glorify and live in the flesh the more we have those up and down days, and the more we aren’t fully experiencing the joy of being in the kingdom!
What You Focus on Matters
What you focus on completely matters when it comes to walking in the Spirit. I don’t know about you, but what I’m focused on seems to grow. The next thing I know I’m overthinking and not experiencing the mental freedom that was already purchased for me on the cross.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NKJV
To be consistent in keeping a mind that’s in peace all the time we have to get pretty aggressive with making sure it stays on the Lord (Isaiah 26:3). This means that we have to get violent about protecting what goes on in our minds. Everything doesn’t have a right to our mental space if we are going to be the daughters of God that maintain the peace of God. We have the seed of righteousness in us, so that means we have the ability to exercise self control in order to bring our minds into subjection to the Word of God. We can do it!
To Walk in the Spirit Remember You Have Dominion Over Your Emotions
“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV
Lastly I want to encourage us, myself included, in the fact that we have dominion over our emotions. Sometimes we can get the victory over a thought but when feelings get involved it can feel a little harder to cast down.
The truth is that the word of God doesn’t always go based on how we feel about it. God wants us to be obedient even if the feeling is fear. God wants us to believe him even if we don’t feel like it’s ever going to happen. Walking in the Spirit means that we follow the truth over any other thing of this world including emotional responses.
I wanted to write this to exhort you in continuing on in your new nature in Christ! Since we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). If you’re having a hard time crucifying the flesh or find yourself in a fleshly cycle, I’ve found that fasting and praying helps tremendously! Authentically ask the Lord to help you crucify your flesh so your love/obedience for Him can expand. Watch Him do it! I’m excited to see how God moves in your life. Remember it is God at work in you both to will and do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)!