Walk by the Spirit

Walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16)

Galatians 5; Romans 8:26-27; John 14:13

What Is God Saying?

The Christian is engaged in spiritual warfare all the time. There is an unrelenting contest between the flesh and the Spirit. This chapter identifies the good and the evil, the right and the wrong, the road that leads to life, the streets that lead to death, the positive and the negative in no uncertain terms. ‘For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would’ (vs. 17).

This chapter offers stern warning and great encouragement. The fruit of the Spirit will quietly, abundantly, and certainly overcome the works of the flesh. In this constant battle, walking by the Spirit is one way to get on the winning side and stay there.

How Does This Apply To Us?

What a great chapter is before us, especially as we seek to cultivate a life of prayer. Here are the best and the worst in open confrontation. How do we handle the constant battle against evil? How do we grow more constantly towards God's ideal for our lives? It is all right here before our eyes. Go over the chapter again and note these truths:

• Stand fast in freedom (vs. 1).

• Wait in hope (vs. 5).

• Fulfill the law of love (vs. 14).

Pray With Me

Lord, so often, I have walked in my strength. I have rebelled against Your will, fearing it might mean sacrifice. I have held back, fearing Your way would shut me out of joy and plunge me into boredom. I have not trusted the fences of Your grace intended to keep evil out and blessings in. I have ignored the deeper truth that Your way alone is the way to a full life.

Lord, I want to abandon the walk that preoccupied me. I want to leave all that caters to carnal pride. I will walk in the Spirit, value what He gives, believe what He says, and follow where He leads. I will be quiet to hear Him and quick to obey Him.

• I will walk in the Spirit who leads me to places of helpful ministry.

• I will walk in the Spirit and enjoy unhurried communion with God.

• I will walk in the Spirit to be shielded from sin and all that issues in death.

• I will walk in the Spirit as He leads into paths of righteousness and all issues in life.

• I will walk in the Spirit, which will help me major in eternal values.

• I will walk in the Spirit that I may minor in things that have the seeds of their decay within them.

• I will walk in the Spirit to God's glory and to my soul's eternal satisfaction.

In the name of Christ. Amen.

Moving On in the Life of Prayer

The Holy Spirit is the promised Comforter, the Paraclete (the One who is called alongside as a Friend), the trusted Counselor, the One commissioned to ‘guide us into all truth’ (John 14:13).

As Counselor, Friend, Guide, and Comforter, He stays with us through every trial and triumph.

Let us pray in the Spirit. Let us be sure of his Presence, ‘who intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words’ (Rom. 8:26-27). Let us always pray in the awareness that He is the Counselor who is always there and the Companion who always cares.

Then, we will rise from prayer to walk by the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit, we will return to prayer with more confident boldness before the Throne of Grace and a deeper trust in our loving Father's goodness.