What does it mean to walk in the spirit?

[Neostarwcc]

As the title says, how do we walk in the spirit? Do all who possess the Holy Spirit walk in the spirit as all who have the spirit are sealed and saved forever? Just what did Paul mean when he told Christians to walk by the spirit?

Another question, if we do automatically walk by the Spirit why do we still sin? Paul said that those who walk by the spirit no longer gratify the flesh? So does that mean that they will hardly ever sin?

If yes or no, why does it seem like every regenerated person lives in sin? It makes no sense. Perhaps somebody besides Google explain just waling in the spirit is? Thank you.

 

[timothyu]

To not walk in ways of the flesh. I know, sounds overly simple. For example if there is a fleshy dispute, man most often tries to settle it by acting in the same way as an enemy. fights, wars, political disputes, etc. The spirit would approach it in a way not of the flesh, as in using agape, which is a love not defined in any way by the flesh.

 

[bling]

We can quench the Spirit and go on our own sinning, but if we do not quench the Spirit, how can our indwelling Holy Spirit be involved with us in sinning?

 

[Halbhh]

As the title says, how do we walk in the spirit? Do all who possess the Holy Spirit walk in the spirit as all who have the spirit are sealed and saved forever? Just what did Paul mean when he told Christians to walk by the spirit?

Another question, if we do automatically walk by the Spirit why do we still sin? Paul said that those who walk by the spirit no longer gratify the flesh? So does that mean that they will hardly ever sin?

If yes or no, why does it seem like every regenerated person lives in sin? It makes no sense. Perhaps somebody besides Google explain just waling in the spirit is? Thank you.

Maybe this is the most helpful way to notice the difference: that we have 2 strong competing forces -->

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts?"

"Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul."

(from James and 1rst Peter)

So, the 'flesh' means the lusts of the body -- the lust to eat more, have more sex with just whoever is available, and so on, to lie, hit back, get revenge, and so on....

We can't resist that just from mere will power, on our own will power.

We need to "look to" Christ (actually turn our thoughts to Him), "abide" with Him, "walk in the Spirit"....

 

[eleos1954]

As the title says, how do we walk in the spirit? Do all who possess the Holy Spirit walk in the spirit as all who have the spirit are sealed and saved forever? Just what did Paul mean when he told Christians to walk by the spirit?

Another question, if we do automatically walk by the Spirit why do we still sin? Paul said that those who walk by the spirit no longer gratify the flesh? So does that mean that they will hardly ever sin?

If yes or no, why does it seem like every regenerated person lives in sin? It makes no sense. Perhaps somebody besides Google explain just waling in the spirit is? Thank you.

The genuine love that God desires never can be achieved by outward compulsion but only by an inward motivation produced by the Spirit (Gal. 5:18).

Because God IS love.

We throughout our earthly lifetime are being sanctified by the Spirit (changes occur in our thinking). He meets each where they are and we are in different places on the path back to Him.

Slowly we are being conformed to His image of Love. We will indeed mess up here and there.

Because of what Jesus did how he lived and of the cross ... we will be declared innocent .... not that we are innocent. Thank you Jesus!

God looks at the heart and He is the only one who knows it. Judgement is totally up to Him.

It's a matter of how one's life is progressing ... more so towards sin or more so away from it.

Someday we will be like Him .... and we look forward to that day.

Philippians 1:6
New Living Translation
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

and .... I whole heartily believe this ;o) Do you?

 

[Trusting in Him]

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed.

It begins in walking in obedience with him. it's a slow process and takes a lifetime.

Proverbs 3:5. Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.

God's ways are not our ways, until we learn that we will never get anywhere.

 

[Ivan Hlavanda]

A wonderful sermon on how to walk in the Spirit

 

[fhansen]

As the title says, how do we walk in the spirit? Do all who possess the Holy Spirit walk in the spirit as all who have the spirit are sealed and saved forever? Just what did Paul mean when he told Christians to walk by the spirit?

Another question, if we do automatically walk by the Spirit why do we still sin? Paul said that those who walk by the spirit no longer gratify the flesh? So does that mean that they will hardly ever sin?

If yes or no, why does it seem like every regenerated person lives in sin? It makes no sense. Perhaps somebody besides Google explain just waling in the spirit is? Thank you.

It’s a process, a journey, and a very patient work of God’s. Perfection is the ideal- God did not create man to be a sinner-but He doesn’t demand it all at once. He just wants us to get on board, with Him-that’s the object of faith-and remain on board, or get back on board if we stray off the path. He’ll get us there, as we cooperate in His work.

 

[splish- splash]

Seeing Christ in every situation, whether good or bad, is walking in the spirit.

 

[timothyu]

Round two. Man is self oriented, self interest, self determining, self justifying, seeking gain at the expense of others etc. These are the ways of the flesh. God's ways are of the spirit and focus on the needs of others. These two ways are opposite in nature and yet we, unlike our fellow animals, have both conflicting ways within us, hence the struggle. The entire Bile focuses on this struggle and God's command to follow His will, His nature instead of ours which is animal instinct. His will be done, not ours. Spirit rejects the self serving ways of the flesh, and we open the door to the will of God rather than our own, rejecting our animal nature (repentance). Jesus brought us the counter-culture of the Kingdom and said of the Father, His Kingdom would come and will would be done. Our choice whether to continue to play the games of man or become radicals focusing on our spiritual side rather than the flesh. It's like being in love without the lust.

 

[Neostarwcc]

Round two. Man is self oriented, self interest, self determining, justifying, seeking gain at the expense of others etc. These are the ways of the flesh. God's ways are of the spirit and focus on the needs of others. These two ways are opposite in nature and yet we, unlike our fellow animals, have both conflicting ways within us, hence the struggle. The entire Bile focuses on this struggle and God's command to follow His will, His nature instead of ours which is animal instinct. His will be done, not ours. Spirit rejects the self serving ways of the flesh, and we open the door to the will of God rather than our own, rejecting our animal nature (repentance). Jesus brought us the counter-culture of the Kingdom and said of the Father, His Kingdom would come and will would be done. Our choice whether to continue to play the games of man or become radicals focusing on our spiritual side rather than the flesh. It's like being in love without the lust.

I think I see what you're trying to say. We do what we think is good but in reality it's not.

 

[timothyu]

We do what we think is good but in reality it's not.

Sermons could be so much simpler

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

 

[pescador]

Round two. Man is self oriented, self interest, self determining, self justifying, seeking gain at the expense of others etc. These are the ways of the flesh. God's ways are of the spirit and focus on the needs of others. These two ways are opposite in nature and yet we, unlike our fellow animals, have both conflicting ways within us, hence the struggle. The entire Bile focuses on this struggle and God's command to follow His will, His nature instead of ours which is animal instinct. His will be done, not ours. Spirit rejects the self serving ways of the flesh, and we open the door to the will of God rather than our own, rejecting our animal nature (repentance). Jesus brought us the counter-culture of the Kingdom and said of the Father, His Kingdom would come and will would be done. Our choice whether to continue to play the games of man or become radicals focusing on our spiritual side rather than the flesh. It's like being in love without the lust.

I have often seen animals behaving more in accordance with Christ than some people.

 

[timothyu]

I have often seen animals behaving more in accordance with Christ than some people.

Exactly because (unless rabid like humans) they stay within their limits and practice community.

 

[RaymondG]

As the title says, how do we walk in the spirit? Do all who possess the Holy Spirit walk in the spirit as all who have the spirit are sealed and saved forever? Just what did Paul mean when he told Christians to walk by the spirit?

We walk in the Spirit when we live by the unseen, rather than the seen....knowing that the seen is temporal but the unseen, eternal:

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Yes all those who have the holy spirit, do walk in the Spirit.....for they have no choice......for once the true is revealed, it cannot be unseen...and you are forever....free....and walking in liberty.

In practice, we will start to: "calleth those things which be not as though they were."

Another question, if we do automatically walk by the Spirit why do we still sin? Paul said that those who walk by the spirit no longer gratify the flesh? So does that mean that they will hardly ever sin?

They do not sin.....for it is impossible.:

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

If yes or no, why does it seem like every regenerated person lives in sin? It makes no sense.

I agree it does not make sense......and we should not try and make sense of it..

 

[fhansen]

I have often seen animals behaving more in accordance with Christ than some people.

That's true-we can see both the best and the worst from humans, while animals simply always obey God in a sense, because they can't overide their created natures. Free will means that anything a human is physically capable of doing, he may well do.

 

[fhansen]

I think I see what you're trying to say. We do what we think is good but in reality it's not.

Yes, humans doing what's "right in their own eyes" often leads to some very serious wrong.

 

[timothyu]

Yes, humans doing what's "right in their own eyes" often leads to some very serious wrong.

All compliments of self awareness which leads to the problem of self vs others... 'Who told you you were naked?'

 

[fhansen]

If yes or no, why does it seem like every regenerated person lives in sin? It makes no sense. Perhaps somebody besides Google explain just waling in the spirit is? Thank you.

This concept of full and complete regeneration is unsound. Until a person fully loves God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strentgh and his neighbor as himself, they're not fully bound to God, still attracted to other lesser, created things- beginning with ourselves- to Him first above all else. The human will continues to be involved, still experimenting with the family tradition, initated by Adam, of looking for goodness and fulfillment outside of and apart from God. But God's purpose, man's "telos", is to ultimately attain a perfection that He has in mind for us where our wills will be totally aligned with His. Meanwhile He doesn't force that issue, but patiently draws us nearer to Himself and the end He has in mind. We're often stubborn.

 

[RaymondG]

One would have to question then, if one is saved or born of the spirit and walking therein, before the drawing/regeneration is complete, or after it's completion.

If we are saved before regeneration, then we can sin after with no chance of being lost....otherwise you were never "saved" before.

If one is pull out of the way of a car, saving their life......there is no chance that they can be unsaved in the future from that past car accident. It is forever done. Same for those born of God, whom the bible states, not me, cannot commit sin.