E39 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - Walking in the Spirit - what is this?
Hope’s Harbor
Gritty Bible Devotions
Episode #39
Title: Walking in the Spirit – what is this?
Date: January 31, 2022
Contact: info@hopesharbor.net
Key verse(s): Romans 8:1 – ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.’
Romans 8:4 – ‘…that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.’
Galatians 5:16 – ‘I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’
Galatians 5:25 – ‘If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.’
To walk: From G4012 and G3961; to tread all around, that is, walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary): - go, be occupied with, walk (about).
Intro: To walk in the Spirit means simply to walk as GOD walked on this earth. To live as He did by Spiritual principles put into place for our benefit.
And although simple to describe, walking or living as Jesus lived is arguably the most difficult effort any spiritually-minded Christian will undertake. Is this why so many Christians live nominal lives, far below the abundant life promised by Jesus in John 10:10? Jesus tells us – “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Devotion focus: The abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10, what does it mean for us? First off it’s not plenty of money, or food, or good health, though many Christians have these.
But consider for a moment all the Christians going around cold, hungry, sick, or in prison for their beliefs. And about Christians in prison for their beliefs: this usually means they walk in the Spirit, are faithful to their beliefs, and ran afoul of their governments.
To walk in the Spirit is evidence of having the Fruit of the Spirit in your life of which the last several episodes examined. And it doesn’t mean exhibiting the Fruit of the Spirit perfectly, even constantly, even though this is the goal.
It is your mindset, Christian? As my dear brothers and sisters in the faith, I hope to encourage you to understand my intent here about walking in the ways of GOD is for your blessing.
My hope is that you go deeper into your relationship with the Son of GOD. To do this is by living His life here on the earth.
In 1Corinthians 6:19 Paul writes concerning this relationship: ‘Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?’
Think of how much GOD must love us to put His own Spirit within us and then call us His temple. This means He lives here, within our spirits. Can any relationship be deeper than this?
What else can I say about walking in the Spirit so that the blessing is emphasized, that of spending each day with a conscious awareness of GOD?
Well, let’s examine a life lived on a path without GOD. This kind of life is called living in or for the flesh, which is Bible talk for the natural mindset of the human race apart from GOD.
In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul describes this life for us:
Galatians 5:19 - ‘Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
Galatians 5:20 – ‘idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21 – ‘envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.’
If you will take time to slowly read through these verses and think about what each description involves, it should turn you to GOD with both arms and all your heart.
Summary: To walk in the Spirit is a protective measure for us as GOD’s children. Although simple to describe as living as Jesus lived (we have the account of His life given by firsthand witnesses in the 4 Gospels), it can be a most difficult undertaking.
GOD gives us two clear options to choose from:
Walk in the Spirit and enjoy close communion through the Spirit with GOD’s Son, Jesus.
2 Corinthians 13:14 – ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.’
Live for the flesh, the old sinful nature, and do not inherit the Kingdom of GOD.
John 6:63 – “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
Romans 8:4 – ‘…that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 – ‘For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:6 – ‘For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:7 – ‘Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
Romans 8:8 – ‘So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.’
Action to consider: Ask Jesus to give you a desire to walk in the Spirit. This will take effort on your part. Read through the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: 23-24 and write down 1 or 2 you want to work on bringing about in your life daily.
Next week’s devotion: Baptism – is it necessary?