Walking in the Spirit
How can we effectively battle sin in our lives today? Galatians 5 teaches us how to abstain from fulfilling our sinful desires:
“[16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
But what does it mean to walk in the Spirit, and how can we start? Let’s dive into this often misunderstood teaching and search the scriptures for its implications for our daily walk with Christ.
The Condition Before Salvation: Flesh
Before we are saved, we are powerless to do anything but fulfill the lusts of the flesh. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1-3, before salvation, we were “dead in trespasses and sins” and lived according to the course of this world, indulging in the desires of the flesh and the mind. This is the natural state of all mankind apart from Christ—a state of bondage to sin.
But when we believe the gospel—the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for our sins (1Co 15:1-4)—everything changes. We are saved from the eternal consequences of sin, given eternal life, made alive in Christ, and sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14, Rom 6:1-11). Yet, while our spirit is made alive, we still occupy this corruptible body and sin still dwells in us: our flesh is still around (Rom 7:17-20). This creates an ongoing battle between the Spirit and the flesh.
Walking in the Spirit: A Daily Choice
While battling flesh might sound like a grim situation, we are not hopeless. In order to not fulfill the carnal desires of our flesh and actually change what we desire, Galatians 5:16 instructs us to “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Notice that walking in the Spirit does not eliminate the flesh or its lusts, but it gives us the strength and guidance to avoid fulfilling those desires. Instead of constantly sinning, we are now in the fight, have God in us, and have the tools to combat sin in our lives. The flesh and its sinful tendencies are always present, but in Christ, we now have a choice.
Walking in the Spirit is not about trying harder in your flesh or attempting to perform more good works through sheer effort. It’s about a continually renewed mind, transformed by faith in the Word of God. If we want to walk in the Spirit, we must set our affections on spiritual things. We must mind the things of the Spirit. We must continually renew our minds, remembering what Christ has done for us, what our new identity is in Christ, and what His will is today for us to accomplish as His Body (Eph 4:20-24, Col 3:1-3). This is not about self-effort but about reliance on the Spirit of God and the power of His Word.
“[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – Romans 8:5-6
“[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2
Think about it for a second: the things you spend your time and money on (how you redeem the time, Eph 5:15-17) are directly correlated to the things you think about (how you are minded, Rom 8:6) and care about (your affections, Col 3:1-3). This is why we need to study the Word of God to change what we think and pray to keep our hearts and minds in Christ, so we can mind the things of the Spirit, bear spiritual fruit, and avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh (Php 4:7-9).
The War Within
The battle inside of us rages on every day and the Bible describes the conflict every believer experiences:
“[17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” – Galatians 5:17
“[18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” – Romans 7:18-19
Even after salvation, our flesh is still inclined toward sin. Our natural tendency is to be unthankful and forgetful of what Christ has done for us. Yet, the Spirit empowers us to reckon our old man dead and walk in our new identity in Christ (Rom 6:11-19, Col 2:6-10). This is a daily battle, but victory is possible as we yield ourselves to God and His word.
“[24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” – Romans 7:24-25
Practical Application
Walking in the Spirit is a privilege and responsibility for every believer. It begins with understanding who we are in Christ and what He has done for us. As we meditate on God’s Word, pray, and trust in His power, we can overcome the desires of the flesh and live lives that glorify God. This doesn’t mean you’re going to be perfect, but it does mean you have hope for change!
Are you struggling to walk in the Spirit? Remember, it’s not about trying harder; it’s about trusting in Christ, and letting His Word dwell richly in you and change you from the inside out. When you walk in the Spirit, you are equipped to navigate the battles of life, resist the flesh, and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
