“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

As strange as it might seem, we need a different kind of mentality when it comes to learning to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians, Paul encourages the church to be set apart for God. But Paul explained that this couldn’t be achieved through merely obeying a certain set of rules. Instead, we’re called to walk with the Holy Spirit. The Greek word that Paul uses for walk in Galatians literally means to walk around and around something, or to journey (peripateo). So for Paul, walking with the Spirit meant journeying with the Spirit each day, it’s not just a one time experience of His power.

May we all pray to be filled with the Spirit on a daily basis to yield to the Spirit’s work as He counsels, guides, comforts, and is simply there with us always. And as we’re led by the Spirit in this way, we become better at hearing His voice and following His leading. Holy Spirit, may we walk with You today and every day!

Daily Questions

1. While being indwelt by the Holy Spirit when we receive salvation is a one time event, how does this differ from being filled or walking with the Spirit?
2. How have you been exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit?

Daily Thoughts

Father, help us to experience the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit today, so that we might walk with You and live in a way that pleases You.

Galatians 5: 13-18

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out, or you will be destroyed by each other.”

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Bonus Information

Paul’s core element of a life lived in the Spirit is found in Galatians 5:14; “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” This is very significant because the apostle was writing to a community of believers in Jesus who were being lured away from the grace of Christ and back into the law of Moses. So Paul was reminding the Galatians that the issue wasn’t maintaining the smallest details of the law, but embracing the law’s goal, “love your neighbor as yourself.” In focusing on this priority, Paul was lining up with a consistent message in the Scriptures voiced by Jesus, Paul again in Romans 13:9, and James , all quoting from Moses in Leviticus. The ethical challenge of life in Christ couldn’t be any clearer.