Bible Studies

How to Walk by The Spirit

by Michael Edwards 
10/30/16
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Walking by the Spirit and walking in the Spirit are two different things. Walking by the Spirit is walking by the Spirit of the law, which is Love. Walking in the Spirit is when a believer, by faith, sees their flesh as dead an crucified with Christ and no longer regards themselves or others in the dead flesh. Instead, they see themselves in their born-again perfect, holy, sanctified and righteous Spirit. In other words they see themselves in the perfection of Christ. This article deals with walking by the Spirit. Below it are links to other articles including walking in the Spirit.

If another Christian were to ask you how to walk or live by the Spirit, what would you tell them?

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Gal 5:25 ESV

I used to think of walking by (or in) the spirit as a mystical, supernatural and often unattainable goal, when it really is very practical and simple.

The Bible clearly tells us in many verses that LOVE is the only thing that fulfills ALL of Gods laws.

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14 ESV

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Rom 13: 8-10 ESV

This makes LOVE “the Spirit, the reason” God gave the law. Our conscience and the law are designed to protect us from each other’s fallen nature while revealing our personal need for a Savior.

So walking by the Spirit is simply walking in LOVE.

If we are walking and living by the Spirit (LOVE), by default we will not seek to gratify the flesh and sin (lie, cheat, steal, etc).

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Gal 5:16 ESV 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Cor 13: 4-8a ESV

God wants us to walk by His Spirit (LOVE) and love others as Jesus loved us.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 ESV.

The Spirit (LOVE) ministers life while the law can only bring judgment and death.

who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6 ESV

So how can we learn to walk by the Spirit (LOVE) all of the time?

If we incorrectly believe that it is about ourselves, our failures and that we are being judged by God, judgment will overflow from us onto others.

If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. John 12:47 ESV

If we are rooted and grounded in God’s love and fully grasp that we are right with God (righteous), solely because of Jesus, we will be filled with the fullness of God and LOVE will overflow from us even onto our enemies.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Eph 3:14-19 ESV

God the Father loves us as much as He loves Jesus.

I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. John 17:23 ESV

We walk by the Spirit when we walk in LOVE.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you (love one another). John 15:12-14 ESV (Emphasis mine)

Read these to learn more about the Spirit of the law.

How to Defeat Sin, the Lusts of the Flesh (This describes how we walk in the Spirit.)

Walking by the Spirit is Gods Will for Your Life, Guaranteed

Letter Kills, Spirit Gives Life

How the Letter Killed the Author

How to Stop Making Bricks for Satan and Walk Freely Into The Promised Land

How to Walk in Jesus Peace No Matter What

See Yourself as God Does, Stop Doubting, Rest in Him, Walk in Peace

Many more New Covenant Bible Studies HERE. Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will and testament of Jesus that began after the cross. 

And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. Luke 22:20