Are you walking in the 'flesh' or the 'Spirit'?

This was a question often on my mind during the years of being a 'newbie' Christian. The answer of course is found in God's Word ... read on ...

"Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

What does 'walking in the flesh' look like?

When we walk according to the 'flesh' we walk in our old rebellious nature, which is trained by the world and the enemy. It is as plain as that - we walk in 'rebellion' to God and His holy ways.

"Those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24

We cannot "see" the 'flesh' but we can certainly see what it does. Here are some examples of what 'walking in the flesh' looks like:

• Sexual immortality

• Impurity

• Lustful pleasures

• Idolatry

• Sorcery - horoscopes, fortune telling and the like.

• Hostility to others.

• Quarrelling and being quarrelsome.

• Jealousy and envy.

• Outbursts of anger

• Selfish ambitions

• Dissension - strife

• Division

• Drunkenness - over indulgence

• Extravagance

If we are guilty of any of the above sins of the flesh, we must deal with them decisively. Do not make excuses or put off asking for help ... these all lead to a dark place! It is up to us to crucify these sinful ways to the Cross.

What does walking in the 'Spirit' look like?

In comparison to walking in the flesh, when we walk in the Holy Spirit of God, we produce good 'fruit'. Note, that the fruit of the Spirit is not the same as gifts of the Spirit - we all can produce the fruit of the Spirit, but the 'gifts' are gifted to us individually and differently.

When we walk in the Spirit this is the fruit that is produced in our lives:

• Love - we deliberately love, especially the 'unlovable' in our lives.

• Joy - not to be confused with happiness. Joy is not dependent on our situation or circumstance.

• Peace - rooted and found only in Christ.

• Patience - 'longsuffering' is used in many of the older Bible versions, and depicts this fruit so much better than 'patience'. Longsuffering is a work of the Spirit which enables us to endure adversity, reproach and the like.

• Kindness and Goodness - both interchangeable, includes being generous with your finances, time and life in general.

• Faithfulness - again, the work of the Holy Spirit Himself.

• Gentleness - not having a superior attitude, or being overbearing but being approachable and teachable.

• Self-control - not so much for our benefit, but for the benefit of others.

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5: 25

Useful strategies to practice

• When our flesh wants to lead us instead of the Spirit, we must look to God's Word, take hold of it until the temptation, whatever it may be, leaves us. This takes practice, but it is like a muscle, the more you exercise, the stronger it will get.

• We are to daily nail our flesh to the cross, that is, we have to resist it - we put on the Armour of God and battle in prayer and fasting.

• As Christians we have been given new life. The Holy Spirit will direct our steps if we yield to His calling, THEN when we do, we begin to experience walking victoriously in the Spirit daily.

Last word

We belong to Jesus Christ and NOT to our passions, desires and certainly not the world! As vibrant, strong Women of Christ let us show the world what it is like to live and walk according to the Spirit of God, in hope that they will want to walk this path to!

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Graciously Yours ...