Walk in the Spirit

	Name:
	E-mail Address: *
1.	What does it mean to "walk in the Spirit”?
	a)
	b)
	c)
2.	What does it look like to walk in the Spirit? Give a practical example of either a Bible character or a person you know who is walking in the Spirit.
3.	The command to walk in the Spirit is given to all of us -- not just to a few super-saints. Following are suggestions that will help you get your steps lined up properly with the Holy Spirit.
	a) Grab hold of who you are in Christ. The Bible says that we are ... meaning we have an eternal parent Who cares for us, is on our side and is cheering us on in righteousness. (Romans 8:16)
	b) Deny your flesh. What did Jesus tell His disciples they must first do in order to follow Him? ... When you do this, you are asserting spiritual dominion over your flesh, and letting your flesh know that God is in control. (Matthew 16:24)
	c) Keep your thought life under control. The world today is concerned about being politically correct in what we say, but Paul was more concerned that we be spiritually correct in what we think. On what 8 things did Paul say that we should keep our thoughts focused? (Philippians 4:8)
	1)
	2)
	3)
	4)
	5)
	6)
	7)
	8)
	d) Pray and listen. Have you ever talked to someone who just dominated the conversation and never let you say one word? This is what it’s like when we pray ‘at’ God and don’t take time to listen to Him. In Proverbs 2:2, what advice did Solomon give regarding this?
	e) Avoid strife. Walking in the Spirit means walking in harmony not only with God but also with others. What did Paul tell the Ephesians they should be doing in order to live and work in peace with one another? (Ephesians 4)
	vs. 2:
	vs. 25:
	vs. 26:
	vs. 28:
	vs. 29:
	vs. 31:
	vs. 32:
	f) Get your priorities in order. The only way to do this is to ... (Matthew 6:33)
	g) Examine yourself for any areas of weakness. Get real and use the Word of God to check on yourself. This is important, because the enemy knows your weaknesses better than you do. At the same time, don’t let your self-examination or the enemy discourage you because ... (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
	Depend on the leading of the Holy Spirit. When we are saved, the Holy Spirit of God takes up residence in our lives and dwells with us forever. The fact that He will never leave or forsake us is cause for great joy and comfort. Thank God for this precious gift — the Holy Spirit and His continuous work in our lives!
	* Required

Continue to Chapter 20

Divine Briefing ...

“This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:16-17).

Walking in the Spirit is the key to overcoming the flesh, but it doesn’t come easily. Often, it is a real battle. When the flesh is winning the inside battle, you don’t do the things that you wish you would, and you don’t live the way you know is right.  In Romans 7:19, Paul explained the ongoing battle he was fighting this way. “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”

We can relate – we’ve all been there. But it is possible to win the battle when we are walking in the Spirit.  But what does it mean “to walk in the Spirit”?

• After you are saved, the Holy Spirit is living within you.

• You become more and more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

• Decisions and choices you make are always impacted by influence of the Holy Spirit.

Later, in the same chapter, Paul said, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). In this verse, the word Greek word stoicheo was used, which means “to walk in line with." Here Paul is saying, “Keep in step with the Spirit.”

Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit (Luke 4:1), and we can tell when people are keeping in step with the Holy Spirit because their walk will look a lot like Jesus’ walk.

Looks Like ...

When Paul, formerly called Saul, tried to reconcile with the Jerusalem church after having persecuted many of its members before he became a Christian, Barnabas was at his side (Acts 9:26-30). Many in Jerusalem were concerned about Paul getting involved with the church, remembering his former deeds. But Barnabas reached out on his behalf, and said, "You need to listen to this guy. He's a changed man." And with time, the early church began to accept Paul.

Barnabas became Paul’s mentor, but later a serious disagreement came between them over whether young John Mark would accompany them on a journey. Paul was upset with John Mark because he had previously gone home right in the middle of a mission trip. But Barnabas kept insisting that they should give Mark another chance. With this matter standing between them, they went their separate ways (Acts 15:39-41).

Their disagreement was not permanent, however, as we know Paul and Barnabas later worked together serving the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 9:6). At the same time, Barnabas continued to mentor young John Mark in his ministry. Later, Paul admitted that Barnabas had been right not to give up on John Mark. What a loss that would have been if he had been completely rejected, as John Mark became the author of the Gospel of Mark.

Only a person walking in the Spirit, and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, could have looked beyond Paul’s and Mark’s past mistakes, and seen the real change and ministry potential in them.

Ask Yourself ...

Barnabas' given name was Joseph but, because he was so supportive, the disciples called him Barnabas (translated "Son of Encouragement"). Who is your Barnabas? Are you anyone's encourager and mentor?

Back to Walk Worthy: Table of Contents

Back to Therapon University

© Therapon University | created by design4u.net