Part 12 of 12

The Practicality of Walking In “the Spirit”

How does the “Spirit of Christ” operate in conjunction with the consciousness of the believer in his daily walk?

Most often when Paul uses the term “the Spirit” in writing to the churches and believers he is then referring to the two intermingled spirits – that is the result of Christ’s “Spirit of life” that has been birthed as new life in regenerating believer’s “spirit of man” (Zech 12:1) where they are then “one spirit” (1Cor 6:17).

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and RENEWING BY THE HOLY SPIRIT,

John 3:6 (NIV) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO SPIRIT.

1 Cor. 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT.

Romans 8:16 THE SPIRIT itself beareth witness with OUR SPIRIT, that we are the children of God:

It is only by the indwelling anointing of “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” that believers have an innate awareness to know “all things” that they need to know in order to live accord with Christ.

1 John 2:20 YE HAVE AN UNCTION (ANOINTING) FROM THE HOLY ONE (CHRIST)….

1 John 2:27 But THE ANOINTING WHICH YE HAVE RECEIVED OF (FROM) HIM (CHRIST) ABIDETH IN YOU, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same ANOINTING TEACHETH YOU OF ALL THINGS, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Now we understand of whom the “anointing” is and what it includes, as seen in the preceding Part 11. We need to see what it is for the believer to “walk in the Spirit.” All believers are in the process of ever learning to willingly yield their life to the influence and anointing of Christ’s “Spirit of life” within.  

Galatians 5:25 (NIV) Since we (have life) live by THE SPIRIT, let us (“us,” as a soul now free to choose) KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT.

Jesus said every believer is “of God” and “heareth Him” (John 8:47). We cannot say we do not know the voice of His Spirit within us. We are to conduct our daily walk under the spontaneous influence of “the spirit of Christ.” This is only way we will to NOT fulfill the sinful desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in (under the influence of) the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Note above that Paul does NOT write; “Don’t fulfill the sinful desires of the flesh in order to be walking in the spirit.” No, that puts the cart before the horse; that would be us walking independent of Christ’s “Spirit of life” leading us. We must rely upon His spontaneous life within.

We must be “led by the spirit,” meaning we must be willing to be led and to walk in accord with “the spirit.” If we are willing, we then must trust Him to supernaturally empower us to walk in accord with “the spirit.” This is the only way to NOT fulfill the desires of the flesh.

A Christian can be seen to have grown from a child (Rom 8:16) to being as a “son” when they are willingly “led by the Spirit.” Romans 8:14 because those who are LED BY THE SPIRIT of God are sons (no longer children) of God.

Paul emphasizes this one caution; that we not walk according to “the Law.”

Galatians 5:18 (AMP) But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

The Law works against us and empowers Sin. 1 Corinthians 15:56b (Amp) sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law. So as not to be deceived and lured to walk by “the Law,” we must always keep in mind that we “are not under the Law, but under grace” (Rom 6:14).

“Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus (Philip 2:5, KJV). This KJV seems to mislead many to think it’s a matter of learning what Jesus said and the do it. Note here the NASB version. Philippians 2:5 (NASB) Have this attitude (of mind) in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.

The word “mind” here is the Greek “phroneo,” meaning “mindset” or “attitude of mind.” Thus Paul here admonishes the Philippians to maintain an “attitude of mind” that is set upon Christ (Rom 8:5-6) in them, just as Christ did upon the Father who was in Him.

What was Jesus’ mindset? Jesus of Nazareth, as a “the Son of Man,” judged things and spoke by what He heard the Father speak. Jesus only did what He saw the Father do (John 5:30). Jesus did not live independent of the Father and we are not to live independent of Christ. This dependence of Jesus upon the Father is our pattern for living as seen in the life of Paul. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (AMP) PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [Paul, follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ.

Today, if we are to be led by “the Spirit,” we need to come to the same attitude of mind toward the indwelling “Spirit of Christ” - a “mind set upon the Spirit” as Paul had. This is to have “the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

Romans 8:4-6 (NASB) so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but (WALK) ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT. ⁵ For those who are according to the flesh SET THEIR MINDS on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, (mind) the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For THE MIND SET on the flesh is death, but THE MIND SET ON THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE,

With our mind set upon (or in accord with) “the Spirit” will hear and be sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance. We sense Him deep within by an inaudible voice that is deeper than our mind, yet He is faithful to knock on the door of our consciousness, “prompting” us.

Romans 7:6 (AMP) But NOW WE ARE DISCHARGED FROM THE LAW and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now WE SERVE not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [UNDER OBEDIENCE TO THE PROMPTINGS] OF THE SPIRIT IN NEWNESS [OF LIFE].

“The Spirit” may “prompt” or encourage us to do something (forgive, apologize, or go here, etc), as we see here in Paul’s experience. Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. We see that Paul was “pressed,” prompted, or guided by “the Spirit.”

But more often though, I find that “the Spirit” limits or restricts me, as Paul was here. As Paul as walked in accord with “the Spirit,” essentially said “No, don’t go to Bithynia .” Acts 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia : but the Spirit suffered them not. Here the Spirit impressed Paul and Barnabas that they should not go to Bithynia . This is an example of being limited by “the Spirit” of the Lord. We must be willing and trusting enough to walk in accord with “the Spirit” as Paul did – regardless of what we may want to do for the Lord.

All believers can give thanks that the Lord is abiding in them and that He is actively working in their lives “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” – that we might “serve Him in newness of Spirit” (Rom 7:6).

Philippians 2:13 (AMP) [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.