How to Walk According to the Holy Spirit
Introduction:
The Christian life, marked by freedom from the bondage of sin, is intended to be a walk guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This study, primarily based on Romans 8, will explore what it means to walk according to the Spirit and the characteristics of those who do so.
A. “Thank God Almighty, I’m free at last!” (cf. Romans 7:24):
• Romans 7 culminates in the agonizing cry of a person struggling under the weight of sin, recognizing their inability to free themselves. This cry highlights the desperate need for liberation.
• Reflect on a time when you felt trapped by sin or your own limitations. How did you long for freedom?
B. Spiritual Freedom is Conditional: We Must Walk According to the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4):
• Romans 8 opens with the glorious declaration of "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." However, this freedom is not a license to live however we please.
• Romans 8:4: "...in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." This verse establishes that walking according to the Spirit is the pathway to fulfilling God's righteous standards in our lives.
• Discussion: What does it mean to "live according to the flesh"? What does it mean to "live according to the Spirit"? How does walking according to the Spirit enable us to fulfill God's law?
C. Those Who Walk According to the Spirit Are:
This section outlines key characteristics of individuals whose lives are guided by the Holy Spirit.
I. Those who set their minds on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5-8):
• A. A battle rages within us (1 Peter 2:11; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Timothy 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8):
◦ These verses describe the spiritual warfare we engage in as believers, a constant tension between our old nature and our new life in Christ.
◦ Discussion: What are some of the common battlegrounds in this internal conflict? How does this spiritual warfare manifest in your daily life here in USA?
• B. It is a battle of the flesh against the Spirit (Galatians 5:17; Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16, 24):
◦ Galatians 5:17: "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." This highlights the direct opposition between the desires of our sinful nature ("flesh") and the desires of the Holy Spirit.
◦ Discussion: Can you identify specific desires of the flesh that war against the Spirit in your life? How do these desires manifest?
• C. We must set our minds on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5, 12, 14):
◦ Romans 8:5: "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." Our mental focus dictates our direction.
◦ 1. Walk according to the Spirit = Live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:12): The way we consistently walk (our daily conduct) is a direct outflow of how we are living internally, governed by either the flesh or the Spirit.
◦ 2. Live according to the Spirit = Led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14): To live according to the Spirit is to yield to His guidance and direction in all areas of our lives.
◦ 3. Things of the Spirit = Law of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12-13): The "things of the Spirit" are the truths revealed and empowered by the Holy Spirit, often communicated through the Word of God. It's not a legalistic code but a principle of life and power.
◦ 4. The battle begins on the inside (Matthew 15:18; 2 Corinthians 10:5): Our thoughts and attitudes are the initial battleground. We must actively take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
◦ Discussion: What are the "things of the Spirit" that you need to be setting your mind on more intentionally? How can you practically cultivate a mind focused on the Spirit throughout your day ?
• D. The mind set on the flesh versus the mind set on the Spirit (Romans 8:6-8):
◦ Romans 8:6: "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." Our mental orientation has eternal consequences.
◦ Romans 8:7-8: "The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God." A mind controlled by the flesh is inherently opposed to God.
◦ Discussion: Reflect on your own thought patterns. Are they more often aligned with the flesh or the Spirit? What are the fruits of each in your life?
II. Those who have the Spirit living within (Romans 8:9-11):
• A. The Holy Spirit dwells in the child of God (Romans 8:9-11): The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a defining characteristic of a believer. If the Spirit of God does not live in us, we do not belong to Christ.
• B. Three distinct things associated with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit:
◦ 1. A sense of location (Romans 8:9): "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you." We are transferred from the dominion of the flesh to the realm of the Spirit through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
◦ 2. A sense of belonging (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatians 3:29; Galatians 5:24; Romans 8:10-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; John 6:63; 5:29):
▪ Romans 8:9: "...Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ." The indwelling Spirit marks us as belonging to Jesus.
▪ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price.
▪ Galatians 3:29: Through Christ, we are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise.
▪ Galatians 5:24: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
▪ Romans 8:10-11: The Spirit gives life to our mortal bodies.
▪ 2 Corinthians 3:6; John 6:63: The Spirit gives life.
▪ John 5:29: Speaks of the resurrection of life for those who have done good (implying the Spirit's work).
▪ Discussion: How does the knowledge that the Holy Spirit dwells within you impact your sense of identity and belonging? How does it influence how you view your body?
◦ 3. A sense of assurance (Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:37; Ephesians 3:20):
▪ Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The indwelling Spirit empowers us.
▪ Romans 8:37: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." The Spirit assures us of victory in Christ.
▪ Ephesians 3:20: God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (the Spirit).
▪ Discussion: How does the indwelling Spirit provide you with strength, confidence, and assurance in your walk with Christ, especially when facing challenges?
III. Those who put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:12-13):
• A. We must put to death the deeds of the body: This is not self-inflicted punishment but a Spirit-empowered act of resisting and mortifying our sinful desires and actions.
◦ 1. Involves the “things of the Spirit”—the written word (Psalm 119:11): God's Word reveals sin and provides the principles for living righteously, empowering us to resist temptation.
◦ 2. Involves divine providence (Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13): We rely on God's help and the provision of escape routes from temptation.
◦ 3. Involves personal responsibility (2 Corinthians 5:10): We are accountable for our choices and must actively choose to resist sin.
◦ Discussion: What practical steps can you take to "put to death the deeds of the body" in your daily life, utilizing God's Word, prayer for His help, and personal discipline?
• B. Putting to death the deeds of the body is a frequent theme of Paul (Romans 6:1-2, 6, 11; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10): These passages emphasize the break with our old sinful nature and the putting on of the new self in Christ.
• C. Are the deeds of the flesh controlling your life? (Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 13:12): These lists provide examples of the destructive nature of the flesh. Honestly assess your life against these lists. Are any of these "deeds" having dominion over you?
IV. Those who long for their heavenly Father (Romans 8:14-17):
• A. Who are the ones being led by the Spirit of God? (Romans 8:1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13; John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:22-23): These verses consistently point to those who are in Christ, have the Spirit, set their minds on the Spirit, have had their sinful nature dealt with, and have been born again through the Word and the Spirit.
• B. Two spirits (Romans 8:15-16; Galatians 5:22-23):
◦ Romans 8:15-16: We have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear, but the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. The Spirit of the world leads to fear and bondage, while the Holy Spirit brings a sense of sonship and intimacy with God.
◦ Galatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) stands in stark contrast to the deeds of the flesh.
◦ Discussion: What are the distinguishing characteristics of the "spirit of slavery" versus the "Spirit of adoption" in your own experience? How does the fruit of the Spirit manifest in your life?
• C. That we are His children implies:
◦ 1. We are loved (1 John 3:1): God's love for His children is profound and unconditional. How does knowing you are deeply loved by God impact your walk with Him?
◦ 2. We long for our Father (Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:9): The Spirit within us cries out "Abba! Father!" expressing an innate desire for relationship with God. Do you sense this longing for your heavenly Father? How do you cultivate this longing in your daily life in USA?
- What are the obligations of a Christian?
- How to listen to the good shepherd?
- The Proper Focus of a Christian
Conclusion and Application:
Walking according to the Holy Spirit is not a passive experience but an active and intentional way of life. It involves setting our minds on spiritual things, acknowledging the indwelling Spirit, actively resisting the deeds of the flesh, and cultivating a deep longing for our heavenly Father.
• Reflect on the areas of your life where you are most clearly walking according to the Spirit.
• Identify areas where the desires of the flesh might still be influencing your thoughts and actions.
• What is one practical step you can take this week to more intentionally walk according to the Holy Spirit in your daily life in USA? Consider your thought life, your responses to temptation, and your pursuit of intimacy with God. May we all be increasingly led and empowered by the Holy Spirit in our journey of faith.
