WALKING BY THE SPIRIT

WALKING BY THE SPIRIT

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 2:12-16

Key Verse: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." — 1 Corinthians 2:12 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Romans 8:5-14; Galatians 5:16-25; John 14:16-17; John 16:13; Ephesians 5:18; Jude 20

Description: Walking by the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our understanding, guide our choices, transform our character, and direct our daily lives according to God's will.

INTRODUCTION

The Christian life cannot be successfully lived by human strength alone. When we receive Christ, God gives us His Spirit to dwell within us and help us understand spiritual truth, overcome the influence of the flesh, and live according to God's purpose. Paul reminds the Corinthians that believers have received "the spirit which is of God" so that they might know the things freely given to them by God.

Walking by the Spirit is more than occasionally experiencing God's presence or receiving spiritual gifts. It is a daily relationship of surrender, obedience, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit. The Spirit teaches us God's truth, reveals Christ to us, produces godly character, and gives us strength to live in a manner pleasing to God.

A Spirit-led believer therefore does not allow feelings, worldly values, or human reasoning to become the final authority. Instead, the believer learns to listen to God's Word, respond to the Spirit's guidance, and allow the mind of Christ to shape everyday decisions. Walking by the Spirit produces a life that increasingly reflects Jesus Christ.

1. RECEIVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Walking by the Spirit begins with receiving the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. The Spirit makes spiritual realities understandable and establishes our relationship with God.

a) Receive The Spirit Through Christ (John 7:37-39)
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to those who believe in Him, showing that spiritual life flows from a relationship with Christ.

b) The Spirit Dwells In Believers (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Believers are described as God's temple because the Holy Spirit dwells within them.

c) The Spirit Reveals Spiritual Truth (John 16:13)
The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth and helps them understand God's purposes.

d) The Spirit Gives Assurance (Romans 8:16)
The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Biblical Example: The disciples received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and were empowered to become bold witnesses of Christ (Acts 2:1-4, 14-21).

2. ALLOW THE SPIRIT TO GUIDE YOUR MIND

The Holy Spirit transforms the way believers think. Spiritual understanding comes when we allow God's Spirit and Word to shape our perspective.

a) Develop The Mind Of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)
Believers are called to think in harmony with Christ rather than allowing worldly thinking to dominate their decisions.

b) Reject Worldly Thinking (Romans 12:2)
Transformation takes place as our minds are renewed through God's truth rather than being conformed to worldly values.

c) Discern Spiritual Things (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Spiritual realities are properly understood through the work of the Holy Spirit rather than through natural reasoning alone.

d) Meditate On God's Word (Joshua 1:8)
Regular meditation on Scripture helps align our thinking with God's truth and strengthens our ability to make godly decisions.

Biblical Example: Peter initially struggled to understand God's acceptance of Gentile believers, but God gave him a vision and the Holy Spirit guided him to understand His wider purpose (Acts 10:9-20, 34-35).

3. WALK IN OBEDIENCE TO THE SPIRIT

Being led by the Spirit requires more than hearing God's direction; it requires responding with obedience. Spiritual sensitivity becomes meaningful when it produces action.

a) Follow The Spirit's Leading (Romans 8:14)
Those who are led by the Spirit demonstrate that they belong to God.

b) Walk In The Spirit Daily (Galatians 5:16)
A Spirit-led life enables believers to resist sinful desires and pursue God's will.

c) Do Not Resist The Spirit (Acts 7:51)
Believers must remain responsive to the Holy Spirit rather than repeatedly rejecting His correction and direction.

d) Obey God's Word (James 1:22)
True spiritual growth requires putting God's Word into practice rather than merely hearing it.

Biblical Example: Paul and his companions were prevented by the Holy Spirit from entering certain regions and were later directed towards Macedonia, where God opened a significant ministry opportunity (Acts 16:6-10).

4. PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

The evidence of walking by the Spirit is seen in transformed character. The Holy Spirit produces qualities that increasingly make believers resemble Christ.

a) Grow In Love (Galatians 5:22)
Spirit-led believers increasingly demonstrate genuine love towards God and other people.

b) Develop Patience And Peace (Galatians 5:22)
The Spirit produces inner stability and patience that enable believers to respond to difficult situations in godly ways.

c) Practise Gentleness And Goodness (Galatians 5:22-23)
Spirit-led character influences how believers treat others, especially when they have power or advantage.

d) Exercise Self-Control (Galatians 5:23)
The Holy Spirit helps believers develop discipline over their desires, emotions, words, and actions.

Biblical Example: Stephen demonstrated Spirit-filled character even while facing intense opposition, responding with faith, grace, and forgiveness (Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60).

5. LIVE WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST

The ultimate goal of walking by the Spirit is Christlikeness. The Spirit works within believers so that their lives increasingly reflect the thoughts, attitudes, and character of Jesus.

a) Think Like Christ (Philippians 2:5)
Believers are called to cultivate the humble and obedient mindset demonstrated by Jesus.

b) Serve With Humility (Philippians 2:3-4)
The mind of Christ leads believers away from selfish ambition and towards genuine concern for others.

c) Depend On God's Strength (Zechariah 4:6)
Spiritual accomplishment does not ultimately depend upon human strength but upon God's Spirit working through His people.

d) Glorify Christ In All Things (John 16:14)
The Holy Spirit's work always points believers towards Jesus and brings glory to Him.

Biblical Example: Barnabas was described as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and his Spirit-filled life encouraged many people to remain faithful to the Lord (Acts 11:22-24).

CONCLUSION

Walking by the Spirit is a daily lifestyle of dependence upon God. The Holy Spirit has been given to believers to reveal God's truth, guide their understanding, strengthen their obedience, and produce Christlike character. We must therefore cultivate sensitivity to His leading and allow Him to influence every area of our lives.

Do not allow the flesh, worldly values, or human reasoning to control your direction. Yield yourself continually to the Holy Spirit, obey God's Word, and pursue the mind of Christ. As you walk by the Spirit, your life will increasingly display the fruit of the Spirit, demonstrate God's wisdom, and bring glory to Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide, teach, strengthen, and transform my life, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to become increasingly sensitive to the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.

3. Father, renew my mind and deliver me from every worldly pattern of thinking that is contrary to Your Word, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me spiritual understanding to recognise and apply the truths You reveal through Your Word, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to obey the Holy Spirit promptly whenever You direct my steps, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to overcome every sinful desire that seeks to control my thoughts, words, and actions, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let the fruit of the Spirit become increasingly evident in my character and relationships, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me the mind of Christ and teach me to walk in humility, love, wisdom, and obedience, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let Your Spirit guide every major decision and direction concerning my life, family, ministry, and service, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to walk faithfully by Your Spirit every day and bring glory to Jesus Christ throughout my life, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall continually experience the guidance, strength, wisdom, and transforming presence of the Holy Spirit in your daily life.

2. Your spiritual understanding shall increase, and you shall receive grace to recognise God's truth and apply it wisely.

3. You shall not be controlled by worldly values or sinful desires, because the Holy Spirit shall strengthen you to walk according to God's will.

4. The Lord shall make you increasingly sensitive to His voice and responsive to His direction in every important decision.

5. You shall receive grace to obey divine instructions promptly, and your obedience shall position you for God's purposes.

6. The fruit of the Spirit shall become increasingly visible in your character, relationships, speech, and conduct.

7. You shall walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

8. The mind of Christ shall increasingly govern your thoughts, attitudes, decisions, and responses to the circumstances around you.

9. The Holy Spirit shall empower you to fulfil your calling and accomplish God's purpose beyond your natural ability.

10. You shall walk faithfully by the Spirit throughout your Christian journey, becoming increasingly Christlike and bringing glory to God in all that you do.