Lesson 42: What It Means to Walk in the Spirit
The Christian life is not lived successfully through willpower alone.
A believer may sincerely desire to obey God and still discover that human determination is not enough.
Old desires remain active.
Pressure exposes weakness.
Temptation appears.
The mind becomes distracted.
The heart becomes tired.
The believer then learns that following Jesus requires more than promising to try harder.
Paul writes:
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit,
and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16, KJV
This is both a command and a promise.
Walk in the Spirit.
As you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
The verse does not say that believers must defeat every fleshly desire through independent strength and then become spiritual enough to walk with God.
The order begins with dependence:
Walk in the Spirit.
Walking Describes a Continuing Way of Life
A walk is made of repeated steps.
It is not one dramatic moment.
It is not one emotional church service.
It is not one powerful prayer.
It is not one week of unusual spiritual seriousness.
Walking in the Spirit means living continually under the Spirit’s holy influence and help.
It means looking to Him throughout ordinary life.
Depending upon Him when making decisions.
Responding when Scripture exposes sin.
Praying when weakness appears.
Obeying when the right path is clear.
Returning quickly when you stumble.
One spiritual experience may affect you deeply.
But an experience is not automatically a walk.
A walk continues after the emotion changes.
First, You Must Have Spiritual Life
A person cannot walk in the Spirit without first receiving spiritual life.
Jesus said:
“Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3, KJV
Walking in the Spirit is not a method through which an unsaved person earns acceptance with God.
It is the life of someone who has been born again through faith in Jesus Christ and indwelt by the Holy Ghost.
Lesson 4 explained saving faith, and Lesson 41 explained that every true believer possesses the Spirit of Christ.
The foundation is important:
You do not receive the Holy Ghost because you have successfully learned to walk in the Spirit.
You learn to walk in the Spirit because God has already given spiritual life to those who belong to Jesus Christ.
The Flesh and the Spirit Are Opposed
Paul continues:
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh:
and these are contrary the one to the other:
so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
— Galatians 5:17, KJV
The Christian should not be surprised by inward conflict.
The flesh opposes the Spirit.
The Spirit opposes the flesh.
The presence of conflict does not automatically prove that the believer has no spiritual life. It may reveal that two contrary directions are contending.
The flesh refers to fallen human nature operating independently of God and seeking satisfaction outside His holy rule.
The detailed study of the flesh belongs to Lesson 44.
The necessary truth here is that the believer cannot follow both directions at the same time.
The flesh says:
“Serve yourself.”
The Spirit directs the believer toward the will of God.
The flesh seeks immediate satisfaction.
The Spirit produces obedience that honors Christ.
Every step gives practical expression to one direction or the other.
Walking in the Spirit Is Not Following Every Feeling
The word Spirit does not mean whatever feels spiritual at the moment.
People may experience strong emotions, sudden ideas, personal desires, fears, memories, and inward impressions.
Not every internal experience comes from the Holy Ghost.
Walking in the Spirit means walking in agreement with the Spirit of truth.
He does not contradict Scripture.
He does not lead believers into sin.
He does not encourage pride, deception, impurity, bitterness, or rebellion.
Lesson 43 will explain how to test supposed guidance and avoid deception.
For now, remember:
Walking in the Spirit is not following every feeling.
It is living dependently and obediently beneath the truth God has revealed.
Walking in the Spirit Is Not Chasing an Experience
Some people associate the Holy Ghost almost entirely with intense emotion, visible manifestations, or unusual experiences.
God may affect human emotion deeply.
But strong emotion is not the definition of walking in the Spirit.
A believer may feel little emotional excitement while:
telling the truth when lying would be easier;
remaining sexually pure;
forgiving someone who caused pain;
continuing to pray;
serving without recognition;
or fulfilling an ordinary responsibility faithfully.
That quiet obedience may be a stronger demonstration of spiritual dependence than a dramatic moment followed by disobedience.
Do not ask only:
“What did I feel?”
Ask:
“Did I obey God?”
“Did Jesus Christ receive honor?”
“Did my conduct agree with Scripture?”
Walking in the Spirit Is Daily Dependence
God said:
“Not by might, nor by power,
but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
— Zechariah 4:6, KJV
Human ability has a proper place.
Believers should think carefully, work diligently, establish wise boundaries, and make deliberate choices.
But spiritual life cannot be produced through self-confidence.
The believer should begin the day acknowledging:
“I need the Holy Ghost.”
“I cannot keep my heart, govern my desires, understand truth, and respond faithfully through human strength alone.”
Dependence is not weakness in the sinful sense.
It is truthful recognition of where spiritual power comes from.
1. Begin the Day With Surrender
Walking in the Spirit begins with yieldedness.
Before the demands of the day take control, present yourself to God.
You may pray:
“Father, this day belongs to You.”
“My body belongs to You.”
“My plans belong to You.”
“My words, reactions, relationships, and private thoughts belong to You.”
“Holy Ghost, help me live under the lordship of Jesus Christ today.”
This is not a magical morning formula.
A person may pray those words and later resist God.
But deliberate surrender establishes the right direction.
Do not wait until temptation becomes strong before remembering whom you serve.
Begin yielded.
Then renew that surrender whenever resistance appears.
2. Fill the Mind With God’s Word
The Holy Ghost works in agreement with the Word He inspired.
The psalmist said:
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.”
— Psalm 119:105, KJV
A lamp gives light for the path before you.
The believer who neglects Scripture should not expect to recognize spiritual direction clearly.
Walking in the Spirit does not make the Bible less necessary.
It makes Scripture more precious.
Read with dependence.
Ask:
“What does this passage reveal about God?”
“What does it expose within me?”
“What command should govern my next step?”
“What truth must I remember today?”
Do not read merely to complete a religious requirement.
Receive light for the walk.
3. Set the Mind Toward the Things of the Spirit
Paul writes:
“For they that are after the flesh
do mind the things of the flesh;
but they that are after the Spirit
the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death;
but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
— Romans 8:5–6, KJV
What the mind repeatedly attends to affects the direction of life.
The spiritually minded person is not someone whose mind is empty of ordinary responsibility.
He may work, plan, learn, care for family, and handle earthly duties.
But his thinking remains governed by God’s truth, purposes, and authority.
Colossians says:
“Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth.”
— Colossians 3:2, KJV
Attention must be directed.
Ask during the day:
“What has been filling my mind?”
“What desire is presently governing me?”
“Am I interpreting this situation through Scripture—or merely through appetite, fear, pride, and emotion?”
4. Watch and Pray Before Temptation Becomes Strong
Jesus told His disciples:
“Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation:
the spirit indeed is willing,
but the flesh is weak.”
— Matthew 26:41, KJV
A willing intention is not enough.
The disciples believed they were prepared, but they failed to watch and pray.
Walking in the Spirit requires spiritual alertness.
Recognize situations in which weakness commonly appears.
When you are tired.
Alone.
Discouraged.
Flattered.
Angry.
Bored.
Under pressure.
Or close to an old temptation.
Do not wait for the flesh to become loud before seeking help.
Pray early.
“Holy Ghost, strengthen me.”
“Help me recognize the danger.”
“Bring God’s truth to my remembrance.”
“Give me grace to take the obedient step now.”
The complete teaching on temptation belongs to Lesson 48. The practice here is continual dependence before the battle intensifies.
5. Obey the Truth You Already Know
Walking in the Spirit is not continual waiting for new information.
Often, the believer already knows what obedience requires.
He knows he should tell the truth.
Refuse impurity.
Apologize.
Keep his word.
Stop gossiping.
Fulfil the responsibility.
Leave the tempting situation.
Yet he may ask for further guidance because he does not want to obey what is already clear.
James says:
“But be ye doers of the word,
and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
— James 1:22, KJV
The Spirit helps believers obey truth.
He does not give spiritual experiences as substitutes for obedience.
When Scripture is clear, the spiritual response is not endless delay.
Take the next step.
6. Remain Under the Spirit’s Influence
Paul commands:
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;
but be filled with the Spirit;”
— Ephesians 5:18, KJV
Drunkenness places a person under the controlling influence of alcohol.
Paul contrasts that influence with being filled with the Spirit.
The believer should remain under the Spirit’s holy governing influence.
This is not permission to become uncontrolled, irrational, or disorderly while claiming that the Spirit has taken over.
The Spirit produces conduct consistent with God’s truth.
Being filled with the Spirit involves yielding to His rightful work rather than resisting Him.
Ask:
“What influence is governing me presently?”
Fear?
Pride?
Anger?
Desire?
Human approval?
Or the truth and holiness of God’s Spirit?
7. Sow Toward the Spirit Through Repeated Choices
Paul writes:
“For he that soweth to his flesh
shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that soweth to the Spirit
shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
— Galatians 6:8, KJV
A farmer does not sow once and immediately receive a full harvest.
Sowing occurs through repeated action.
Every day contains choices that feed one direction.
What you watch.
What you rehearse mentally.
Whom you listen to.
How you respond to correction.
Whether you pray.
Whether you obey promptly.
Whether you provide for old desires.
One decision may seem small.
Repeated decisions form a pattern.
Walking in the Spirit means sowing toward the Spirit through ordinary obedience.
Do not continually sow to the flesh and then become confused by the corruption that grows.
8. Return Quickly When You Fail
Walking in the Spirit does not mean pretending never to stumble.
When failure occurs, do not remain down.
Do not hide.
Do not surrender the entire day because one wrong step was taken.
Scripture says:
“If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
— 1 John 1:9, KJV
Lesson 18 taught confession and return fully.
The application here is that walking includes correction of direction.
If you step away from the path, return.
Confess specifically.
Receive God’s mercy through Jesus Christ.
Correct what can be corrected.
Reestablish any neglected boundary.
Then continue walking.
Failure becomes more dangerous when it is used as a reason to stop depending upon God.
Walk Because You Live by the Spirit
Paul writes:
“If we live in the Spirit,
let us also walk in the Spirit.”
— Galatians 5:25, KJV
Spiritual life should produce a spiritual walk.
The verse does not say:
“If we sometimes feel spiritual…”
It says:
“If we live in the Spirit…”
Because the believer has received life from God, his conduct should increasingly agree with that life.
The Holy Ghost should not be treated as Someone needed only during emergencies, church services, or major decisions.
He is present in ordinary life.
Depend upon Him:
during conversation;
while working;
when alone;
when disappointed;
when making plans;
when using a device;
when spending money;
when responding to family;
when no one sees.
Walking in the Spirit Produces a Changed Direction
Galatians later describes the fruit of the Spirit.
Lesson 82 will study each part of that fruit carefully.
The necessary observation here is that walking in the Spirit should produce evidence.
Not merely claims.
Not merely experiences.
Not merely spiritual vocabulary.
Over time, there should be increasing:
love;
joy;
peace;
longsuffering;
gentleness;
goodness;
faith;
meekness;
and temperance.
Growth may be gradual.
The believer may still recognize weakness.
But a walk directed by the Holy Ghost will not remain permanently fruitless.
Ask:
“What is my dependence producing?”
The Spirit Does Not Remove Personal Responsibility
Depending upon the Spirit does not mean saying:
“The Holy Ghost will stop me if He really does not want me to do this.”
God has already commanded believers to obey.
The Holy Ghost is not responsible for forcing a resistant person to choose rightly.
He teaches.
Convicts.
Strengthens.
Brings truth to remembrance.
But the believer must respond.
Paul says:
“As many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God.”
— Romans 8:14, KJV
Being led implies following.
Do not praise the Leader while refusing to take the step He has made clear through Scripture.
Walking in the Spirit Is Not Spiritual Pride
A person may begin speaking proudly about being Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, or spiritually sensitive.
But pride contradicts the Spirit’s holy work.
Walking in the Spirit should produce dependence, humility, obedience, and honor toward Jesus Christ.
It should not create a superior class of Christians who look down upon everyone else.
You did not create spiritual life.
You did not give yourself the Holy Ghost.
You do not sustain yourself independently.
Every faithful step is evidence of grace.
Give God the glory.
Walking in the Spirit Does Not Remove Ordinary Responsibility
Some believers wait for special spiritual direction before doing what ordinary faithfulness already requires.
They neglect schedules.
Work.
Preparation.
Promises.
Family duties.
Practical planning.
Then describe the disorder as spiritual freedom.
The Holy Ghost does not lead believers to become irresponsible.
He helps them honor Christ in ordinary duties.
You do not need a special impression to:
arrive when you promised;
tell the truth;
pay what you owe;
complete honest work;
care for your family;
or obey a clear command of Scripture.
Walking in the Spirit makes ordinary faithfulness spiritual service unto God.
Pray in the Holy Ghost
Jude writes:
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God,
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
— Jude 20–21, KJV
Praying in the Holy Ghost is not merely producing an intense emotional state.
It is prayer offered in dependence upon the Spirit and agreement with God’s truth and will.
Come honestly.
Ask for help.
Submit your desires.
Pray with Scripture.
Allow the Spirit to expose selfish motives and redirect your requests.
The Spirit does not assist us in commanding God to serve our will.
He helps bring our praying beneath God’s will.
Walk Through the Entire Day
Many believers seek God sincerely in the morning but forget Him once daily pressure begins.
Walking in the Spirit requires returning your attention to God throughout the day.
You may use ordinary moments as reminders:
when entering your workplace;
before opening your phone;
before an important conversation;
before eating;
when getting into your car;
when irritation begins;
when you recognize temptation;
or before returning home to your family.
A brief prayer may be enough:
“Holy Ghost, help me walk faithfully in this moment.”
“Guard my words.”
“Correct my motive.”
“Strengthen me to obey.”
“Help me represent Christ.”
The goal is not constant anxiety about whether every small action is perfect.
It is continuing dependence.
A Simple Daily Plan to Walk in the Spirit
Morning: Surrender
Before the day begins, acknowledge that you belong to God.
Ask for the Holy Ghost’s help.
Read a portion of Scripture and identify one truth that should govern the day.
During the Day: Stay Watchful
Notice what begins controlling your thoughts and desires.
Pray before temptation becomes strong.
Return attention toward Scripture and Christ.
At Each Clear Decision: Obey
Do not delay what God’s Word has already made plain.
Take the next faithful step.
When Weakness Appears: Depend
Do not pretend to be strong.
Ask the Spirit to strengthen the inner man.
Use wise boundaries and practical action.
When You Fail: Return
Confess without excuses.
Receive mercy.
Correct the step.
Continue walking.
At Night: Review
Ask:
“Where did I depend upon God today?”
“Where did I follow the flesh?”
“What must be confessed?”
“What should I thank God for?”
“What truth should guide tomorrow?”
A Spirit-Walk Examination
1. Am I Depending Upon the Holy Ghost or Mainly Upon Willpower?
2. Is Scripture giving light to my daily path?
3. What presently occupies the attention of my mind?
4. Am I watching and praying before weakness becomes action?
5. What clear command am I delaying?
6. What repeated choice is sowing toward the flesh?
7. What repeated choice would sow toward the Spirit?
8. When I fail, do I return quickly or withdraw from God?
9. Is my spiritual life producing increasing obedience and Christlike fruit?
Discipleship Questions
- Why is walking in the Spirit more than a single emotional or spiritual experience?
- What does Galatians 5:17 teach about the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit?
- How do Scripture, prayer, and prompt obedience work together in a Spirit-led daily walk?
- Why does dependence upon the Holy Ghost not remove personal responsibility?
- What repeated daily choice would most strengthen your present walk in the Spirit?
Closing Exhortation
Walk in the Spirit.
Do not wait until you feel unusually powerful.
Do not depend upon willpower alone.
Do not follow every inward impression and call it spiritual guidance.
Begin with surrender.
Fill your mind with God’s Word.
Set your affection above.
Watch and pray.
Obey what is already clear.
Sow toward the Spirit through repeated choices.
When you fail, confess and return.
The flesh may oppose you.
Do not make peace with it.
The path may require deliberate choices.
Do not call dependence passivity.
The Holy Ghost has not been given merely to create an occasional religious experience.
He dwells within believers to help them follow Jesus Christ.
Take the next step under His holy influence.
Then take another.
And another.
This is how a spiritual life becomes a spiritual walk.
A Prayer to Walk in the Spirit
Father,
Thank You for giving the Holy Ghost to those who belong to Jesus Christ.
I confess that I cannot live the Christian life faithfully through human strength alone.
Forgive me for relying upon willpower, emotion, habit, and self-confidence instead of depending upon You.
Help me walk in the Spirit today.
I surrender my body, mind, words, plans, desires, relationships, and private life to You.
Give me light through Your Word.
Help me set my mind upon the things of the Spirit rather than the things of the flesh.
Teach me to watch and pray before temptation becomes strong.
Bring truth to my remembrance when I am under pressure.
Show me where I am resisting a command that is already clear.
Give me grace to obey promptly.
Keep me from chasing spiritual experiences while neglecting ordinary faithfulness.
Help me sow toward the Spirit through the small choices of each day.
When I fail, bring me quickly to confession, cleansing, and renewed obedience.
Keep me humble.
Let every faithful step bring glory to Jesus Christ rather than attention to me.
Produce within my life increasing evidence of Your holy work.
Teach me to walk in the Spirit continually.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Next Step
Complete these statements prayerfully:
The area where I rely most upon human strength is:
The fleshly direction that most often competes for control is:
The Scripture that should guide my next step is:
The clear act of obedience I have been delaying is:
The repeated choice through which I have been sowing to the flesh is:
The new repeated choice through which I will sow to the Spirit is:
The times during the day when I will pause and pray are:
Do not settle for saying:
“I need to be more spiritual.”
Begin with one daily pattern.
Surrender.
Read.
Pray.
Obey.
Return when necessary.
Then continue walking.
Previous Lesson: Lesson 41 — Who Is the Holy Ghost and How Does He Help the Believer?
Next Lesson: Lesson 43 — How to Be Led by the Spirit Without Being Deceived