what is it?
“Walking” is a figurative word in scripture that refers to “living.” Simply put, walking in the Spirit is living life in relationship with God.
“This is eternal life, that they know You the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” -Jesus
Any healthy relationship has these components:
- Time together - Time is spent together sharing past experiences, hopes, dreams, joys affections, hurts, and struggles. Time is also spent doing things both parties enjoy, like recreational things or serving others together.
- Communication
- Trust
- Forgiveness
- Honesty
- Self-sacrifice
- Understanding
- Patience
- Helping each other
It is no different with God. A relationship with God has two-way communication. He reveals Himself to us as we study His word and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us. We share our hearts with Him through prayer. Recall what the Holy Spirit does in us:
Think about how God’s Word offers these components:
- Communication
- "But He answered and said, 'It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” - Matt. 4:4
- "But He answered and said, 'It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” - Matt. 4:4
- Trust
- Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. - Psalm 62:8
- Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. - Psalm 62:8
- Forgiveness
- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace - Eph. 1:7
- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace - Eph. 1:7
- Honesty
- Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth - John 17:17
- Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth - John 17:17
- Self-sacrifice - Understanding
- Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Heb. 4:14-16
- Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Heb. 4:14-16
- Patience
- Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. - 1 Tim. 1:16
- Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. - 1 Tim. 1:16
- Helping each other
- God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1
- God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1
- Time together
- Sharing past experiences: Biblical narrative
- Hopes & dreams: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” - Rev. 21:1-4
- Joys: These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. - John 15:11
- Affections: Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. - John 15:9
- Hurts and struggles: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. - Matt. 23:37
- Doing things together: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matt. 28:19-20
Being “filled with the Spirit” = “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you”
As we dig into God’s Word in faith, the Holy Spirit helps us connect with God’s heart. He teaches us truth, convicts us, encourages us, and helps us understand how to apply His word to our lives.
As we dig into God’s Word in faith, the Holy Spirit helps us connect with God’s heart. He teaches us truth, convicts us, encourages us, and helps us understand how to apply His word to our lives.
5 steps to walk in the spirit
- Saturate your mind with God’s word
- Seek to know Him and trust Him
- Pray – sing – share – observe His creation
- Fall in love
- Take all untrue and sinful thoughts captive
process it
A relationship is simplest terms is two way communication. Spend some time listening to God by getting in His word, and then talking to Him through prayer. Fall in love.