Whenever you read in the Scripture the concept of walking, it’s talking about the conduct of our lives. There are two ways that anyone can be walking. They can choose to walk in the Spirit or walk in the flesh. There is a difference. The outcome is also different.
Galatians 5:16-18 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. To walk by the Spirit is to walk the direction God wants you to walk in. It is fully relying on God to show you and give you the strength to be able to maintain that direction. We are to rest in the Lord but that doesn’t mean there is no action on your part to walk by the Spirit. The Spirit will not do all the work. We are to commit to putting one step in front of the other and trust the Spirit will lead. Have you ever walked on a moving sidewalk in an airport before? Some choose to stand there, but if you really want to move, you can walk while relying on the conveyer belt to take you to your destination quicker. To walk by the Spirit is to be able to recognize when it is the Spirit leading and not the flesh. That is why we read the Word of God, pray, come to worship or discipleship opportunities. It puts us in tune with the Spirit of God in order to know the direction we are to go. The enemy of our soul will try to get you to walk according to the flesh which is contrary to the Spirit. Many times, the flesh will try to pull us away from the things of God. Jesus experienced this in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was on His way to the cross and He knew what the will of the Father was. The Scripture said His soul was sorrowful. He even prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus had asked the disciples to pray but they were overcome by the flesh and fell asleep. Jesus told them, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). The choice you make will lead to different outcomes. Walking according to the Spirit will lead to a victorious life. You will have the fruit of the spirit exemplified in your life. I have heard it said that in verse 18 when it says, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law,” is the difference between being powered by batteries that need recharged from time to time versus being plugged into an electrical outlet. Paul isn’t talking about the law of Moses, he is talking about the “law principle.” That would be trying to work up your own strength to have victory. That is the form of flesh in a good way. Your strength should come from the Lord and His Word. Paul even tells us what the works of the flesh are in verses 19-21. Go and look them up, I don’t want to make it that easy on you. The examples are even longer than he mentions because he says at the end – “and anything similar.” Let me encourage you to exercise walking by the Spirit by coming to our last Spiritual Renewal service tonight at 6:30pm. Actually, come and bring your family and eat with us at 5:30pm. There is something for everyone at 6:30pm. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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