The Apostle Paul makes a profound statement when he declares that if we live in the Spirit, we should also walk in the Spirit. He is referring to Ezekiel 36:26-27, where God gives us this wonderful promise:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

God gives us a new heart and a new Spirit, regenerating our innermost being. He causes us to walk in His ways. If we are tempted to disobey Him, His Spirit within will check us and say, “No, you’re not going to do that today! That person died. He is not alive in you anymore because you are alive in Me.”

When things are not going well, we must stop and dig down deep to hear His response in our hearts. Think of the acronym HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.

Are you hungry? His Word is your bread.

Are you angry? The Holy Spirit is not mad at anyone.

Are you lonely? He is always with you.

Are you tired? When you wait upon Him, He will renew your strength.

To walk in the Spirit, we must recognize that He abides in us. In Him we find rest. He is our guide, our helper, and our advocate. He is our very present help in time of trouble. The more we are conscious of His presence, the more we are aware that His promise is true:

“I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

He is with us to the end.

Once we are rooted and grounded in His love and presence, we change our thinking about who and where He is. I have been to some worship services where His presence is so tangible that people can barely stand. At other times, that physical feeling is not there. Has the Holy Spirit left? No, He is not far away. Deuteronomy 30:14 tells us,

“But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.”

Yield to His Guidance

In Acts 8, Luke describes a great persecution that arose against the church. As a result, believers were scattered and proclaimed the Gospel everywhere they went.

Among them was Philip, a deacon who went into Samaria to preach. God did amazing miracles as the lame walked, Simon the Sorcerer was converted, and many people were saved. In the midst of this, Luke says in Acts 8:26:

Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

Then Luke adds, This is desert.

Imagine you are having a great revival with miracles happening all around you in Samaria, near the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Suddenly an angel tells you to go to the desert. You might be tempted to answer, “No! There is nothing in the desert. I should stay here with all these people who need to be discipled.”

Yet Philip is walking in the Spirit, and he obeys. He goes to that desert road where he overtakes an Ethiopian in a chariot, and from that meeting the church of Ethiopia is born. This is because someone is not only filled with the Spirit—he also hears and obeys the prompting of God.

Get Strength for the Journey

To walk in the Holy Spirit, we must constantly consult Him for guidance. We need to ask continually,  “What do You want me to do today? How do You want me to respond in this situation?”

When we ask, the Spirit of Truth will lead us into all truth. We can ask Him for wisdom on the spot and get an answer. He will reveal what is wrong with our attitude, our approach, or our faith. He will show us what to do.

People from around the world travel to see a mountain in China with a colossal hole through the rock. In fact, this opening is so gigantic that stunt planes can fly through it! The mountain is named Tianmen—meaning Gate of Heaven—because at dawn the sun’s rays come through that hole, illuminating the entire area with a glorious light.

The winding road that leads to the “Gate of Heaven” takes travelers through a frightening landscape of dark, foreboding mountains. This can teach us a lesson about walking in the Spirit. Although heaven is our destination, the journey can be difficult. If we think of the road as an obstacle course, we are trying to walk in our own strength. We are ignoring His promise,

“My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30)

So, consider the road you are traveling—going wherever God has called you to go, and doing whatever He has called you to do. Ask Him how He wants you to act in that situation. You have the unique privilege of saying, “May God’s will be done here on this road as it is in heaven.” Then start imagining heaven. If it is different from where you are, pray His will to be done in this circumstance, on this road, in your heart and attitude—right here and now.

The journey is part of the process of changing us so we are willing and eager to appropriate the resources that heaven has for us today. When we have that perspective, the winding road and foreboding mountains disappear. We are victorious because we are walking in the Spirit through God’s strength and ability, not our own. As Romans 8:37 assures us, Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. God bless you.

Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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~Want Jesus to “tame your troubles if they are terrible”? Join us in this prayer;

Lord Jesus,

In the midst of our trials and tribulations, we turn our hearts to You, seeking peace and strength in Your unfailing love. We come before You, weary and burdened, laying our troubles, sufferings, anxieties, and difficulties at Your feet. You see the tears we shed in the darkness, the weight that presses down on our souls, and the fears that threaten to overwhelm us. Yet, we trust in Your promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us.

Lord Jesus, we invite You into the midst of our storms. Just as You calmed the raging sea with a word, we ask that You would quiet the storms in our lives. Speak peace to our troubled hearts, and grant us the courage to face each day with hope and perseverance.

For anyone who is battling sickness and pain, we ask for Your healing touch to rest upon them. Bring comfort to their bodies and peace to their minds, knowing that You are the Great Physician who can restore and renew.

For anyone who is has faced setbacks and disappointments, we pray for Your guidance and direction. Lead them on the path of righteousness, and open doors of opportunity that no man can shut.

Lord Jesus, we know that in this world we will face troubles, but You have overcome the world. Help us to fix our eyes on You, the author and perfecter of our faith, knowing that You are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

As we journey through the valleys and mountaintops of life, may Your presence be our constant companion. Give us the strength to persevere, the faith to believe, and the courage to trust in Your unfailing love.

In Your precious and powerful name, we pray Jesus,

Amen.