Walking in the Spirit
“We are not justified by the manner of our walk, but by
our being in Christ Jesus,” observed Spurgeon.
The most important question to ask ourselves is, “Am I in
Christ?” If the answer is yes, then “There is therefore now no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
The individual who is “in Christ Jesus” does not walk after
the flesh, but after and in step with the Holy Spirit. He walks according to the guidance
of the Spirit. To be “filled with the Spirit” is to be under the control of the
Spirit. Every believer has the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to be yielded to Him. He
has the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The result of our justification through faith in
Christ is a new creation, no longer under the control of the flesh, but in the spirit, a
spiritual person.
No, God does not eradicate the flesh. It is still there striving and
warring against the spirit, and it will be there until the Christian is taken up into
heaven to be with God.
That apostle Paul tells us the person who is “in Christ
Jesus” commits himself to the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit. He gives us
guidance, encouragement, correction, and leads us in the paths of righteousness so that we
become more like Christ.
Another important question for the believer is, Am I
walking according to the flesh? Or, Am I walking in the Spirit? Our response
determines what we produce in our daily lives.
The apostle Paul said,
“Do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4).
How do you know the
difference? “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things
of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit”
(v. 5).
Is my life conduct under the
control of the Spirit? If so, I will produce the fruit of the Spirit in my life (Galatians
5:22-23). It will be the opposite of the works of the flesh (vv. 19-21).
How is your walk? Your walk
is determined by your thinking. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Set
your mind on the things of the flesh, let it be dominated by fleshly thoughts, and you
will produce the works of the flesh. Let your
mind be under the control of the Holy Spirit and you will produce the fruit of the Spirit.
Kenneth Wuest translates
Romans 8:5, “For those who are habitually dominated by the sinful nature put their
minds on the things of the sinful nature, but those who are habitually dominated by the
Spirit put their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
Does the Holy Spirit or the
flesh habitually dominate your mind? You will know by what your life is producing. Set
your mind on the flesh and you will produce flesh. Let it be under the power and control
of the Holy Spirit and you become like Jesus Christ in your behavior.
The only way to not walk in
the flesh is to change masters of the mind. “Be transformed by the renewing of the
mind” (Romans 12:2). Edgar Goodspeed translated Romans 8:5b, “People who are
controlled by the spiritual think of what is spiritual.” When we set our minds on the
Spirit we produce spiritual things that are pleasing to God. Kenneth Taylor paraphrased
this verse, “Those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those
things that please God.”
The Amplified Bible reads, “For those who are according to the
flesh and controlled by its unholy desires, set their minds on and pursue those things
which gratify the flesh. But those who are according to the Spirit and [controlled by the
desires] of the Spirit, set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the (Holy)
Spirit.”
Where do you choose to let
your thoughts dwell? You are what you think. Will you not now choose to bow your mind to
the control of Spirit of God? Let Him control your thinking. Let the desire of your heart
be to depend not upon yourself, but on Christ alone. That is the work of the Holy Spirit
within you. We have everything we need to live the Christian life in Him and what He
chooses to provide. Our inner resource is God Himself—the Hoy Spirit. Let Him control
your mind, your heart, and your actions will pleasing to God.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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