Walk in The Spirit

by Gene Poore

Like any solid line, yellow or white, which separates opposite directions of
highway traffic, walking in the Spirit separates us from walking in the flesh. In
both cases, when one factor crosses the separator, collisions occur--the stronger
survive. Similarly, if we walk in the Spirit instead of the flesh, our lives
remain undaunted by any vileness crossing the separator. If we walk in the Spirit
instead of the flesh, rebellion to virtue disappears because adherence to
spiritual principles combats any vileness confronted.
Whether participating or viewing through some media, depraved works of the
flesh bombard humans daily. “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, murders, drunkenness,
revellings, and such like. . . .” (GAL 5:19-21). However, when we walk in the
Spirit instead of the flesh, we repel vileness and strengthen the fruit of the
Spirit: “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance. . . .” (GAL 5:22-23).
Are not those fruits of the Spirit preferred in our life? Are not those
fruits of the Spirit preferred for our children? Of course, but to harvest a fruit
crop, we first plant fruit seed. To reap what we sow, to harvest the fruits of the
Spirit, we must live in the Spirit. When we reflect the Spirit every moment, we
walk in the Spirit. When we walk in the Spirit, we sow the fruit-of-the-spirit
seeds within ourselves and within our children.
Then, “Let every man prove his own work . . . For every man shall bear his
own burden.” (GAL 6:4-5). “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a
man soweth, that shall he also reap. 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.” (GAL 6:7-8). “This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall
not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (GAL 5:16).
What is this Spirit? Jesus the Christ is this Spirit. Jesus the Christ, “Who
did no sin, neither was guile found in [Jesus’] mouth. . . .” (1PE 2:22). Jesus
the Christ, the crucified Lamb of God, the Redeemer, the Savior, a Friend, a
Counselor, the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valleys. Jesus, the Spirit of God
in which we walk.
To walk in the Spirit, we pray for guidance. “Teach me to do thy will; for
thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” (PSA
143:10). If we follow God’s lead, how can we not walk in the Spirit? We must “. .
. Think on these things.” (PHI 4:8). Amen.