“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
Walking in the Spirit involves a daily commitment to follow God’s guidance and live according to His principles. It means:
– Prayer and Communion: Maintaining a constant dialogue with God through prayer.
– Bible Reading: Immersing ourselves in God’s Word to understand His will and commands.
– Diligence and Obedience: Acting on the promptings of the Holy Spirit, even when it challenges our fleshly desires.
– Honouring of covenants: by the way we live.
– Community: Having fellowship with other believers who can encourage and support us in our walk.
Joel, an Old Testament prophet, foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Joel 2:28-29 (ESV), he prophesied, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” Joel’s prophecy points to the empowerment that comes from the Holy Spirit, enabling us to live victoriously and walk in the Spirit.
For the Holy Spirit to operate in our lives, we must first receive Him. We receive the Holy Spirit by various means, including laying on of hands (Acts 8:17-19), hearing (Ephesians 1:13), repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38), prayer/asking (Luke 11:13), faith (Galatians 3:14), obedience (Acts 5:32), etc.
We need the Holy Spirit in order to be soldiers, to be able to do the things listed above, things that a true soldier must do if he/she is to survive. The fight is not only with external enemies but, to a great extent, also an internal battle. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, Jesus said in Matthew 26:41.
In Galatians 5:16-26, Paul vividly describes the internal battle between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh seeks immediate gratification and selfish desires, while the Spirit directs us toward righteousness and godliness. Recognising this conflict is crucial for spiritual growth. A soldier seeks the fruit of the Spirit to grow (Galatians 5:22-23).
As believers, we are called to walk in the Spirit, navigating our daily lives in alignment with God’s will. This journey is akin to a soldier’s march: disciplined, purposeful, and vigilant. Paul, the apostle, provides us with profound insights into this spiritual walk, emphasising the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit and urging us to choose the latter.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come in the mighty name of Jesus, asking for Your forgiveness. Wash us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We are soldiers in Your army, and we know we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places. So, we call upon You to help us because we know by ourselves we cannot achieve anything. Strengthen us against every temptation from the devil, remove from us all lust and every unrighteousness, and shield us against our foes.
Teach us through Your Holy Spirit to do Your will, for You are our Maker and our Redeemer, our Helper, our Comforter, and our Strength. We trust You to do what only You can do in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Romans 8:31; 2 Timothy 2:4
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 75; Acts 13:13-41; 1 Kings 6; I Kings 7:1-22
