Ep. 23 - Walking in the Spirit
Episode Description
What does it truly mean to walk in the Spirit? And what fruit or evidence should show up in the life of someone who is Spirit-led? Walking in the Spirit is not a vague spiritual feeling or a heightened emotional state. It is the most precise and practical thing in the Christian life -- a continual dependency on a Person who dwells within, teaches through the Word, and leads through the mind.
In this episode, Pastor Josh examines what it means to walk in the Spirit day by day. The Spirit’s ministry is not merely influence; it is transformation -- teaching the mind of Christ, renewing the understanding, and producing fruit that the flesh could never manufacture (Galatians 5:22-23). Walking in the Spirit begins in the mind: filling it with the Word, meditating on what the Spirit teaches, and proving the will of God not as a formula but as a living, faith-driven outworking in the unique circumstances of each believer’s life (Romans 12:2). Sowing to the Spirit means engaging now with things that are eternal -- laying hold on eternal life while still in this body. The call is not to try harder, but to learn more and trust deeper.
Key Scriptures
Galatians 5:16-17 -- Walk in the Spirit and Ye Shall Not Fulfil the Lust of the Flesh
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 5:22-23 -- The Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Romans 8:5-6, 9 -- They That Are After the Spirit Mind the Things of the Spirit
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... But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
1 Corinthians 2:12-16 -- We Have the Mind of Christ
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. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned... For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Ephesians 4:20-21 -- Taught by Him as the Truth Is in Jesus
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.
Philippians 2:3-5 -- Let This Mind Be in You Which Was Also in Christ Jesus
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:2 -- Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
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.
Galatians 6:8 -- He That Soweth to the Spirit Shall Reap Life Everlasting
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Proverbs 3:5-6 -- Acknowledge Him in All Thy Ways
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Colossians 3:16-17 -- Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Episode Outline
The Spirit’s Indwelling vs. the Spirit’s Filling -- Having the Spirit and being filled are not the same (Galatians 5:16)
The Battle Within -- The flesh lusts against the Spirit; the new conflict of the believer (Galatians 5:17)
The Spirit Leads Through the Mind -- Not through the belly or emotions, but through renewed understanding (Romans 8:5-6)
The Mind of Christ -- The Spirit teaches us Jesus; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16, Ephesians 4:20-21, Philippians 2:5
Renewing the Mind and Proving the Will of God -- Romans 12:2 and the objective/subjective distinction
Sowing to the Spirit -- Engaging now with eternal things; Galatians 6:8 and laying hold on eternal life
Fill, Meditate, Pray -- The practical sequence: Word in the mind, rumination, prayer in conjunction
Trust Deeper, Not Try Harder -- The walk is by faith, not formula; Proverbs 3:5-6
Questions Discussed
What does it truly mean to walk in the Spirit -- and how is that different from trying harder?
Do you know you have the Spirit? Do you know the role of His ministry in your life?
Why does walking in the Spirit begin in the mind rather than in outward effort?
What is the difference between having the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit?
What does it mean to prove the will of God -- and how does the objective and subjective distinction help?
Are you sowing to the Spirit or to the flesh -- and what are you reaping?
Are you partaking in the Spirit’s ministry of learning, meditating, and praying in view of all things of life?
