Staff Writer – Carol Cato
To walk in the Spirit is to have faith and to be guided by the Holy Spirit in all things, in other words we do not walk after the flesh, but in the footprint and in-step with the Holy Spirit.
Throughout our life most of our decisions come from our own thoughts and wills, however,’ walking in the Spirit’ is asking the Holy Spirit to guide the decisions in your life and agreeing to be led and to stick to what you hear.
This is the most crucial part and the part where most people fail because we might not like or trust what we hear; then we change course to suit ourselves. Most of us can recall consulting the Holy Spirit about an issue but not following the guidance, then days, weeks, even months later, realising that we should have listened to the inner voice that spoke to you.
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” God does not confuse us and we shouldn’t let others confuse us. If we need to know the truth, we must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it. Aim to have a discerning spirit so that you will know the truth.
My church teaches us to research and learn for ourselves what is being taught to us. If it is unclear, go back to your Pastor, but first do your own research so that you don’t get confused and blame the church. We become confused when we don’t do what we’re supposed to do.
We know that there is much false teaching in the world from the Internet, TV, media, etc. 2 Peter 2:1 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world”.
Don’t wait on your pastor to get you into Heaven; they are human just as we are. I urge you to study and to consult the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance, all that I have said to you”.
Failure to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance will result in a believer not living up to their calling that salvation brings (John 3:3; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
We know that we’re ‘walking in the Spirit’ when our lives show the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23)
The Bible also teaches us that if we are not sure what to ask God, we should pray in the spirit and the Holy Spirit will intercede on our behalf. In other words, although we may not fully understand what we’re saying the Holy Spirit does. Romans 8:26-29 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for.
Photo courtesy wordwaysministries.blogspot.com
But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[a] in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[b] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the first born[c] among many brothers and sisters.
How is your ‘walk’? Your walk is determined by your thinking. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” If you set your mind on the things of the flesh, it will be dominated by fleshly thoughts, and you will produce the works of the flesh. If you let your mind be under the control of the Holy Spirit, you will produce the fruit of the Spirit.
I pray that you constantly ask the Holy Spirit to guide your steps. We MUST also remember to listen to that inner voice that speaks to us. Amen
