This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 KJV
In the life of a Christian, there are two opposing forces. The desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit. These forces are in constant conflict. As Galatians 5:17 says, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want”. To overcome the struggles of the flesh, we must walk in the Spirit. When we walk in the Spirit, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, decisions, and actions. Consequently, living in continuous obedience to God’s will.
To “walk in the Spirit” is to live a life where the Holy Spirit continuously guides and influences your thoughts, decisions, and actions. The term “walk” suggests ongoing behaviour—a lifestyle characterised by reliance on the Spirit’s guidance.
As believers, we must always embrace life in the Spirit. When we live under the Holy Spirit’s influence, He empowers us to resist the sinful desires of our human nature. The flesh is constantly seeking expression, but living in the consciousness of the Holy Spirit helps us put these desires to death.
Romans 8:5-6 further explains this: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” This passage contrasts the flesh and the Spirit. Living according to the flesh leads to spiritual death while living according to the Spirit leads to life and peace. To experience true life in Christ, our mindset and behaviour must align with the Spirit.
Consider the life of Stephen in Acts 6-7. Scripture describes Stephen as “full of faith and the Holy Ghost.” When false accusations led to his appearance before the council, he did not react with fear or anger, emotions typical of the flesh. Instead, he boldly testified about God’s plan and stayed steadfast in his faith, even as they stoned him to death. Stephen’s faithfulness, even under persecution, powerfully demonstrates what it means to walk in the Spirit. He relied on God’s wisdom and strength, rather than his human instincts for self-preservation or revenge.
Similarly, consider Jesus, our perfect example. After fasting for 40 days, He was hungry, and Satan tempted Him. He told Him to use His divine power to turn stones into bread, appealing to His physical need. Yet Jesus responded, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Even in hunger, Jesus chose spiritual sustenance over physical gratification. His reliance on God’s Word demonstrates that obedience to the Spirit is more important than satisfying the flesh.
Jesus’ life exemplifies how walking in the Spirit enables us to resist sinful inclinations. By relying on God’s Word and submitting to the Father’s will, Jesus overcame the temptations of hunger, pride, and worldly power—all desires of the flesh. His life teaches us that living according to the Spirit gives us the strength to overcome similar temptations.
In conclusion, to live a victorious Christian life, the key is to walk in the Spirit, as Jesus did. The battle between the flesh and the Spirit is real. However, there is victory in continual reliance on the Holy Spirit, as Paul teaches in Galatians 5:16. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father’s will and the Spirit’s leading, we must do the same. When we yield our lives to God and allow the Spirit to guide our decisions, we gain the power to resist the temptations of the flesh.
A triumphant life is not one without struggles, but one of overcoming through the Spirit. As we continually walk in the Spirit, God’s power works within us, producing lasting fruit and true freedom, enabling us to live victoriously as followers of Christ.
