Walking in the Spirit
Welcome to Living Word Cast!
I’m Pastor Michael Chilcott, coming to you from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This podcast exists to proclaim, teach, and explore the Word of God together. Our goal is to provide sound theological and biblical guidance on all things Scripture, helping you grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re seeking answers, encouragement, or a closer walk with God, this podcast is here to help you stay firmly rooted in the truth of God’s Word.
Today, we're discussing a crucial and life-changing topic: Walking in the Spirit. As believers, we are called to walk in the Spirit, and through His guidance and strength, we can overcome the desires of the flesh. We will explore how we walk in the Holy Spirit, how we must address fleshly desires, and how, in the strength of the Spirit, we can overcome everything that comes our way.
Let's begin by looking at what it truly means to walk in the Spirit, how we can do so, and why it's so vital for the Christian life.
I. How Do We Walk in the Spirit?
Walking in the Spirit begins with understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, our Comforter, and our Guide. He dwells within us to enable us to live according to God's will, producing in us a life that is pleasing to God.
Galatians 5:16 (ESV) says:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
The first thing we notice here is that walking by the Spirit is a choice. Paul commands us to walk by the Spirit, implying that it is something we must do intentionally. It is not automatic. We are called to live by the Holy Spirit, and as we do, we experience victory over sin and fleshly desires.
When we talk about walking in the Spirit, we are speaking about a lifestyle of obedience to God, surrendering to the Holy Spirit's leadership. To walk in the Spirit means to live according to the Spirit's guidance rather than being led by our own fleshly desires.
Jesus Himself promised the Holy Spirit to all believers. InJohn 14:16-17, He says:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
Here, Jesus assures us that the Holy Spirit is with us forever. The moment we are saved, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, and we are empowered to live the Christian life. This is the foundation of walking in the Spirit. It is only possible because the Spirit resides within us, teaching us, convicting us, and empowering us to live godly lives.
