Are you “Walking in the Spirit?” Are you Living a Life Led by God?

I spend Tuesday mornings enjoying breakfast with a group of pastors and lay people genuinely interested in digging deeper into scripture. A few weeks ago, we discussed Galatians 5. God has a way of putting things in front of us sometimes, that stir us into taking a hard look at how we are walking.  This was one of those times.

Let me start with a bit of introduction.  Paul wrote his Letter to the Galatians to address serious concerns within the early Christian community there. They had been influenced by teachers who insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity should observe Jewish laws and customs, particularly circumcision, as part of their faith.  Paul wrote to them to correct this teaching, reaffirming his message that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and not through adherence to the Jewish Law.

In addition to this, there was a need for him:

• to defend the Gospel of Grace,
• to reaffirm his authority, 
• to correct false teachings, and  
• to promote a life in the Spirit,

My goal here is to focus on a small portion of the chapter, verses 16-25, dealing with our walk:

“I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” 

As he begins this section of his letter, Paul reminds them and us in verse 16, "I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.” We, as believers, are to live a life guided by the Holy Spirit, seeking God’s presence, and letting that presence shape our actions, our decisions, and our character. By choosing to walk by the Spirit, we align our lives with God's will, and our lives become a reflection of His love, His peace, and His goodness. 

“Walking in the Spirit” is the on-going, active nature of living in tune with God. It isn’t a one-time decision but a journey and relationship with Him. The Greek word translated as "walk" in Galatians 5:16 is "peripateo” which describes a way of living or conducting oneself. So, for us, to Walk in the Spirit means that we need to adhere to a lifestyle that is guided by God’s Spirit, and that lifestyle should be marked by our  desire to follow Christ.

Jesus spoke to the basic idea of this walk in John 16:13, when He said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”  The Spirit’s guidance isn’t just about head knowledge, but it involves a change to one’s heart. Walking in the Spirit means our choices, attitudes, and priorities are continually aligning with God's truths and His purposes for our lives. When we understand that we are no longer our own; “for you were bought at a price. So, glorify God with your body,” (1 Corinthians 6:20) we understand the need for that change, and our walk will outwardly reflect our inward change.

One of the themes in the New Testament is the contrast between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit. The “flesh” in this context refers to our natural, human tendencies toward selfishness, pride, anger, envy, and other sinful ways. Paul gives us a list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21, which includes immorality, hatred, jealousy, and fits of rage, among others. Walking in the flesh leads to spiritual emptiness and separation from God.

When we walk in the Spirit, we no longer feed these desires. Instead, we want what pleases God. In Romans 8:5-6, he writes, “For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit.  Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.” The promise of this passage is simple, walking in the Spirit brings life and peace—a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment and a life that is marked by God’s presence.

This kind of change is not accomplished by human effort, but by a believer surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Walking in the Spirit involves a daily decision to turn away from the fleshly desires. When we feel tempted, we need to remember that our strength comes from God’s Spirit within us, not from our willpower alone. Philippians 2:13 tells us, “For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.”

One of the clearest ways people can see evidence of a person walking in the Spirit is to see the presence of what Paul lists as the "fruit of the Spirit" in our lives. He describes these in verses 22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.”  These characteristics in a believer are the result of a life surrendered to God.

As we walk in the Spirit, these fruits grow within us and become evident to others. Our relationships improve as we become more patient and forgiving. Our internal struggles lessen as peace and joy replace anxiety and fear. Our desire to serve others increases, as we grow in kindness and goodness. Self-control strengthens us, helping us to overcome temptations that can cause us to stumble. Changes like this are a lifelong process and are often described as sanctification, as we become more like Christ in our walk.

To walk in the Spirit is not only an inward experience but also an outward testimony to the world. When God’s love, kindness, and patience are reflected through us, others are drawn to Him.

One of the keys to our walking in the Spirit is learning to depend on Him in prayer. Look at Romans 8:26-27, Paul tells us, “In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  When we pray, we open ourselves up to God’s leading and guidance. The Holy Spirit teaches us what to pray for and reveals God’s will as we seek His face. 

When we have those moments of weakness, when we struggle with doubt, confusion, or sin, the Holy Spirit is there to intercede for us. By praying, we will find strength, wisdom, and peace. He aligns our hearts with God’s, enabling us to see situations through God’s eyes rather than ours and through our human limitations. A close relationship with God is essential for us to walk in the Spirit. That closeness lets us hear His voice and lets us be responsive to His leading.

Finally, walking in the Spirit requires faith because we must trust in what we cannot see. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” The Christian journey often leads us into situations where we must rely on God rather than on our senses or our reasoning. Walking by faith means surrendering our need for control, and trusting that God’s Spirit will guide us even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult.

To Walk in the Spirit isn’t easy; there are times when it will bring challenges and test our faith. We will face moments of doubt, frustration, discouragement, and opposition from the world. When that happens, we need to persevere and trust in God’s promises. Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”  We must not falter in our walk. The path we travel means growth, and growth requires time and patience. It’s in those times of hardship that we experience spiritual growth and maturity. Our faith deepens and our dependence on God increases.

My takeaways:

We are called as Christians to “Walk in the Spirit,” a journey that requires a deep commitment to living out God’s will. It is marked by a willingness to surrender our desires, attitudes, and behaviors to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. This walk is both an inward journey, where God reshapes our hearts and an outward witness, where our lives reflect His love and truth to others.

Paul concludes Galatians 5:25 with these words: " If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Walking in the Spirit means: allowing Him to lead, trusting Him to shape our character, and letting His fruit grow in us. It is a call to live a life that is radically different from the world—a life filled with love, joy, peace, and all the qualities of Christ. 

As we choose to walk in the Spirit daily, we experience true freedom, peace, and a profound relationship with God, glorifying Him in all that we do.

Walk with Him.

        Let Him lead you. 

                It’s a great journey!

Ed Johanson

eldered.whc@gmail.com