How to walk in the Spirit • Deshen Daily

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 KJV)

To walk in the Spirit means the Spirit leads or controls the thoughts, feelings, desires, words, and actions. It means to live, be controlled, or be led by the Spirit. Here are the three steps to walking in the Spirit.

First, to walk in the Spirit, we must have the Holy Spirit. Every Christian receives the Holy Spirit at salvation. This initial receiving of the Spirit makes us children of God; it is God’s seal that we belong to Him. God gave us His Spirit so He can live in us, and we live in Him; His Spirit is His nature (His life) in us to enable us to live the way He wants us to.

Second, we have to discern the leadings of the Spirit. This step is where our problems begin. In step 1—receiving the Spirit—we simply believed in the Gospel, and God gave us the Spirit. But in step 2, we must discern or know the Spirit’s promptings and especially distinguish it from ourselves, that is, the flesh. These promptings or leadings of the Spirit are the influences of the Spirit in the way we think, feel, desire, speak or act. And His Word in our hearts is His primary tool to lead us today.

Third, once we discern the leadings of the Spirit, we must yield, surrender or follow Him. He leads, and we follow. Step 3 is even more problematic than step 2, yet it is crucial. We must yield or follow the Spirit. For example, if you (the flesh) feel like hating someone, the Spirit will prompt you to love, and you must obey Him and follow the Spirit rather than your carnal or fleshly desire.

So to walk in the Spirit, we must first have the Spirit, discern His leadings, and then yield to Him.