WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

Walking in the Spirit is not merely a religious activity; it is a lifestyle of continuous surrender to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Every child of God is expected to yield to the leadership of the Holy Spirit in their day-to-day activities. The word "walk" in scripture refers to daily conduct, lifestyle, and direction of life.

To walk in the Spirit, therefore, means living under the control of the Holy Spirit; allowing the Spirit of God to govern your thoughts, actions, and decisions in life, and living a life that reflects the nature and character of God. Romans 8:14. Walking in the Spirit is evidence of true sonship.

Many youths of this generation are churchgoers, but few are spirit walkers. They allow the conflict between the spirit and the flesh, and many have yielded to the flesh. We need to understand that, inside every believer (Child of God), there are two opposing forces: the flesh and the spirit. The flesh represents sinful nature, self-will, human appetites, and carnality, while the spirit represents the nature of God, holiness, righteousness, and divine guidance. A Christian life is a battlefield of control; whoever you, as a Christian, yield to become your master will be the one in charge of your heart. If you feed the flesh, the flesh will dominate, and if it is the spirit that you feed, the spirit will dominate. Walking in the spirit means refusing to let the flesh lead your life.

WHY MANY CHRISTIANS ARE NOT WALKING IN THE SPIRIT?

• Many Christians lack spiritual sensitivity. There are many so-called Christians who cannot discern the voice of the Holy Spirit because they are too distracted by the world system. They cannot hear the still small voice (1 Kings 19:12) because they have been overwhelmed by the noise of what to be and who they want to become in life. The spirit of God is gentle; he does not force himself on people, and a noisy life cannot hear the gentle voice of the spirit of God.
• Walking in the spirit requires spiritual discipline. It requires discipline in prayer, meditation on the Word, consecration, obedience to the commandments, and obedience to God's instructions. Without spiritual discipline, a Christian "Child of God" becomes carnal.
• Having attachment to the flesh will not allow you to walk in the Spirit as a child of God. Some believers want the power of the Holy Spirit but still love the pleasure of the flesh. Galatians 5:24 says, "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Walking in the Spirit requires crucifying the flesh daily.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PERSON WALKING IN THE SPIRIT?

• A Christian that is walking in the Spirit will always be sensitive to the voice of God. He will always be guided by divine direction. Acts 16:6-7.A believer that is walking in the Spirit does not move just because opportunity exists; he moves because God has spoken.
• A person who is walking in the Spirit will always have victory over sin, just like what Galatians 5:16 says: "This I say then, walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." When you take note of the Word, it does not say you will fight the flesh; it says you will not fulfill it. When the spirit controls your life, the flesh loses its power.
• A believer who is walking in the Spirit will manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, such as love, peace, joy, longsuffering, meekness, etc., is not human achievement; it is the character of Jesus Christ produced by the Spirit of God. Walking in the Spirit means becoming more like Christ Jesus daily.

There are many dangers of not walking in the spirit. When a child of God stops walking in the spirit, several things will happen to such a person. Such a youth or young adult will experience spiritual dryness. Prayer becomes empty, the Word becomes boring, and spiritual passion will fade. Such a person will be vulnerable to temptation; they will become an easy target for the enemy. The devil does not fear religious Christian; he fears spirit-filled and spirit-controlled Christians. Another danger is loss of divine direction. Without the Holy Spirit's guidance, a Christian will make costly mistakes. Proverbs 14:12.