Walk In The Spirit

The Lord gives us a command and a promise in Galatians 5:16. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (KJV). What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? Why does it use the word walk rather than sit or stand in the Spirit?

Walking means mobility in a particular direction with a defined purpose that no other posture or position could fulfill. Every step forward is a step away from something and every step forward brings us closer to a destination. Walking with God means keeping pace with Him - if He slows, we do likewise and if He picks up the pace, we follow His leading.

I've been in many church meetings, conferences and other events where there was a lot of emphasis on being filled with the Spirit. I've seen some foolish and disturbing things that some claim to be manifestations of the Spirit. And I have witnessed in other places a true move of God where repentance and brokenness ushered in the power of God.

But I have heard little on the practical, every day walking in the Spirit. In the original, the Greek word to walk means to "walk in circles". In our culture, you may have heard the expression, "he or she is walking in circles" as if to say they are uncertain or spinning around on their heels unsure where or what to do next. But that is not what walking in the Spirit means for the believer.

Rather walking in the Spirit means "circling" around back to the Word of God time and time again throughout the day every day. Otherwise, our nature tends to wander like sheep in a wide open (and possibly dangerous) pasture. Anything that captures our senses or distracts us and we find ourselves meandering away from the Good Shepherd.

And that is why we have the promise that if walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Lust corrupts and corrodes from the inside out so that much so that it impedes our walk. We must keep in step with the Spirit for that is where we draw our strength, protection and help.

As long as we circle back to the Word of God - rehearsing, remembering and recalling His promises daily - the lust of the flesh can't touch us - for our minds are refreshed, renewed and purified.