hatchcreek.com Bible blog

We have discussed the secret of being a contented Christian in the previous post. We found that Paul says we are to be content in whatever situation we are in. Also, that we can be that way if we rely on God to strengthen us in all things. To accomplish this we must walk in the Spirit.

If you are a Christian and you are not content with your life perhaps you haven’t learned how to walk in the Spirit. It is so important for us to learn to live above our circumstances. We are in this world and it effects us all day long. We are pressured on every side, but it doesn’t have to get us down. We have problems at work, in relationships, with our families and spouses. There must be an answer for Christians to live a peaceable life in this world.

Do all the awful things you see on the news make you nervous? Do family problems drive you to distraction? Do health problems scare you? Then, read on and learn how to walk in the Spirit.

When we became a Christian we received the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in flesh, but in Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, this one is not His.

The question becomes, “How do we walk in the Spirit in our daily lives?”

Again, we turn to the Bible for the answer.

Galatians 5:25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

It should be easy then to walk in the Spirit if he dwells in us. However, there is a conflict going on inside us. We still have our flesh to deal with. The flesh and the Spirit collide with each other at times.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

God has given us the option to walk in the flesh or walk in the Spirit. We have something to say about this. We must first decide that we want to walk in the Spirit and then take action. It doesn’t come to us automatically, but is something we can learn. We won’t be truly content until we master this.

We start out with prayer admitting we cannot do this in our own strength and that we need His help. We are like a little child learning to walk. We launch out, become shaky, stumble and fall. Then, we have to pick ourselves up and start all over again. This is how one learns to walk in the physical sense and also in the spiritual sense.

Here are some ideas to help you learn to walk in the Spirit:

• Pray and confess any known sin and ask forgiveness. God won’t hear our prayers if we are not right with him. (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• Accept God’s forgiveness and ask to be refilled with the Holy Spirit.
• Spend some time each day with God in Bible study, prayer, and meditation on the Word.

Now start out your day as you walk in the Spirit. When we slip and sin we break our fellowship with God and fall back to walking in the flesh.

As soon as we realize we have sinned we need a spiritual shower. We need to confess and ask to be refilled with the Spirit.

As you practice your walk in the Spirit habit, you will find you spend more time in the Spirit. Also, at the same time you’ll find you become more satisfied with your life. You will be able to live above your circumstances and won’t be pulled in all different directions. You will actually feel contentment! This is not natural but is supernatural. You will live on a higher plane above your problems, and will depend on God moment by moment to handle everything.

Once you catch a glimpse of this new way to walk, you’ll be on your way to becoming the person God created you to be. You will begin to see the fruit of the Spirit in your life; such as love, joy and peace. You’ll be connected to God’s power which enables you to function in His power and strength and not your own. As you yield to Him and allow Him to live through you, you can be effective and victorious in your daily walk with our Precious Savior. Daily problems won’t seem as frightening because you can live above them in the power of the Spirit.