Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (NKJV) The Greek word used in this scripture for, “walk,” is stoicheo, it means to, “march in line,” as one follows directions. We can understand this to mean that walking, in this context, is directly connected with following the direction of the Holy Spirit as He leads us in becoming more Christ-like. This is the “transformation by the renewing of the mind” that is found in Romans 12:2. A person “walking in the Spirit” is a person who is listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and responding to His direction.
Jesus told the disciples about the promise of the Holy Spirit saying, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13 NKJV). The indwelling presences of the Holy Spirit will, “guide you into all truth.” As we cooperate with the leading of the Holy Spirit, He directs our life into the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. The good, acceptable, and perfect will of God the Father is what we were created for. This is true destiny. His will brings complete fulfillment into our life. God’s will, or desire, for our life is good because He is good. It is acceptable because He is perfect and nothing can be added or taken away to make it any better. It is perfect because God is perfect.
Notice that Jesus didn’t say the Holy Spirit, “forces, pushes, coerces, or bullies you into all truth?” He didn’t even say “drive.” He used the word “guide”. He is the “Good Shepherd”(Jn.10) The good shepherd leads or guides the sheep to good pasture and refreshing waters (Ps.23). The sheep come to trust and recognize that the shepherd is their protector and provider. They “believe in” the shepherd for their very existence. The good shepherd has the best interest of His sheep upon his heart.
The result of following the Holy Spirit is a life that is transformed by renewed thinking producing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, (Gal.5:22-23). Some think that by “giving up” the things in their life, which the Holy Spirit points out, takes away from them. No, no, no. The Holy Spirit is working to make us more. More than we could ever comprehend. More than we could ever become on our own. He is leading us to the wonders of the abundant life. His desire is for us to be everything God has created us to be.
We were created to be exceedingly above everything we could ask or think. God has a vision of each of us that far exceeds anything we can comprehend. And how might this happen you might ask? The Holy Spirit is the answer. Look at Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” According to the power that works in us! That’s Him, the Holy Spirit. It is His working within us bringing us into the wonderful abundant life of God.
As we walk by His leading, He is working a mighty work within us producing the fruit of His presence. Determine to spend time in the Word and listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit, then act upon it. As we cooperate with the Holy Spirit we will see divine fruit coming forth from our life. The fruit is there because He is there. Walk in the Spirit. He wouldn’t tell us to do something we couldn’t do. He is the good shepherd and He is leading us to a greater place.
God bless,
Pastor Kit
