Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:11 AMPC
As believers, one of the essential steps to walking in the Spirit is to consider ourselves dead to sin, alive to God through Jesus Christ. The Bible, in Romans 6, emphasises that being dead to sin, and alive to God is foundational for living a righteous life. When we walk in the awareness of being dead to sin, alive to God, we empower the Holy Spirit to work through us.
Walking in the consciousness of this reality makes our spirits alive to God. This scripture invites us to a new reality of those who are alive to God in an unbroken fellowship with Him. It requires a mindset shift, where we must now understand and embrace our new position in Christ. By faith in Him, we have died to sin—meaning sin no longer has power or dominion over us. Through His death on the cross, Jesus broke the authority of sin for all who trust in Him. Therefore, believers are no longer bound to their sinful nature—they have been set free.
Meanwhile, on the other side of this coin is the reality of an unbroken fellowship with God. This fellowship is the key that opens the door to walking in the Spirit. Without, this fellowship, walking in the Spirit would remain unattainable. So, as a believer, it is your responsibility to acknowledge that you’re dead to sin while allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you.
Though we are dead to sin, we are alive to God. This new life is possible because of Jesus’ resurrection. He not only defeated sin but also gave us access to a new, eternal relationship with God. Being “alive unto God” means we now live for His purposes and possess the power to walk in righteousness.
An example of someone who lived out this truth is the Apostle Paul. In Galatians 2:20, he says: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Paul is explaining the same principle from Romans 6:11. He no longer lives according to his old sinful nature because he has died to it. Instead, because of his unbroken fellowship with Jesus, his new life reflects Christ. He no longer serves sin but lives unto God through Jesus Christ.
Peter also provides a powerful example. After denying Christ three times, Peter repented and God restored him. Following this, Peter lived a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, boldly preaching the gospel. His transformation from being controlled by fear (sin) to living a Spirit-filled life illustrates the power of being alive to God (Acts 2).
Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24 AMPC
This passage highlights the practical steps of reckoning oneself dead to sin. Believers must “put off” the old self (sinful nature) and “put on” the new self, created in God’s image. This is a daily, conscious decision to live for God and resist the sinful nature’s desires. Again this only affirms that our fellowship with God must remain unbroken.
Similarly, Romans 8:13 states: “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Paul emphasises the power of the Holy Spirit to help believers mortify (or put to death) sinful actions. The verse highlights the continuous choice believers must make—to live according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. Remember, God gives you the power of choice.
In conclusion, to walk in the Spirit, a believer must first consider themselves dead to sin. This mindset, rooted in an unbroken fellowship with Jesus is foundational to living a victorious Christian life. Walking in the Spirit involves daily choices to reject sinful impulses and seek and live according to God’s desires. When believers identify themselves as dead to sin, they can draw on the power of Christ’s resurrection. This allows the Holy Spirit to guide their thoughts, actions, and attitudes. This isn’t merely a verbal confession—it’s an active faith response where the believer fully embraces their new identity in Christ. By doing so, believers are empowered to live for God’s glory, fulfilling His purpose in their lives.
Payer point: Help me Lord to live every day in a way that pleases you not according to old sinful nature but according to the reality and victory I have in you to be able to live in the consciousness of my crucifixion with Christ.