A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day – May 14, 2019
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (Galatians 5:16-17)
It’s not enough to know about our heavenly rights. We must know how to exercise them. It is important to take the time to devote to study and prayer, so we can understand for ourselves the things we hear so much about in church.
Some do not understand what it means to walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” As a young Christian, I thought that living in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit meant the same thing. But if it did mean the same thing, the Bible wouldn’t say, “If you live in the Spirit, THEN ALSO walk in the Spirit.”
In the original language, live and walk are two very different words. The word “live” simply means to have life, to breathe. The word “walk” is a much stronger word. It means arrange in a regular line, march in military rank, to keep step, to conform to virtue and piety, and to walk orderly. The word “walk” is a much stronger word that talks about discipline and conduct. To live in the Spirit is something that you simply are. To walk in the Spirit is something that you have to learn how to do.
Those who just live in the Spirit are the people who have received salvation and are no longer classified as spiritually dead. They are saved, but there is little fruit in their lives. They have not developed spiritually. But those who walk in the Spirit are the people that have actually disciplined themselves to the point of becoming Christ-like. If there are areas of sin in our lives and they are not confronted and dealt with, they will forever serve as weights to keep us from reaching our full potential in Christ.
Can you hear God’s voice? Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit? The majority of Christians today would probably answer yes to both of these questions. You have probably had experiences that clearly prove that you can hear God. But, how many areas are there in your life where you know you are still walking according to the flesh? How many areas are there in your life where you know that you have not yet renewed your mind according to the Word of God? Some in the Body of Christ, in spite of the fact that they live in the Spirit, have not yet learned to walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25 says walk in the Spirit, and it literally means conduct yourself according to the Spirit. If you want your life to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, you must understand that this fruit will not just fall into your life out of the sky one day. You have to make a determined effort that you are going to live for the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit is here to help you succeed, but you must make the choice to live for God’s kingdom. You must not be willing to settle for anything less. You must be determined in your heart to have God’s perfect will for your life. It is only through concentration, meditation, discipline, and prayer that we can learn to walk in the Spirit.
