LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

David Wilkerson

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). In this very simple instruction, the apostle Paul is telling us in plain terms, “If the Holy Spirit is living in you, let Him have full control of your life. We are all to be led by the Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit was sent to be our constant, infallible guide, and He abides in all who confess Christ as Lord and Savior. The Spirit claims our bodies as His dwelling place, reigning in residence in our hearts.

Most Christians have no trouble accepting that the Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus and that He is continually at work in us, at every moment. Most of us have called on Him countless times for comfort in our times of crisis. We give honor to the Spirit, preach about Him, and teach on His gifts and fruit. We pray to Him, seek Him, beseech Him to rend the heavens and revive His Church. Many Christians have experienced genuine manifestations of the Spirit, but it seems to me that we know very little about what it means to walk in the Spirit.

Understanding the truth about walking in the Spirit could deliver many from confusion, strife, distress, indecision, even the lusts of the flesh. So, what is this truth? Paul has summed it up clearly: “Let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

There are only two ways for a Christian to walk: in the flesh, or in the Spirit.

The flesh has its own stubborn will; it does whatever it chooses, then asks God to bless those choices. It rises up and declares, “The Lord gave me a sound mind, and I can make choices intelligently. I don’t have to wait for His direction. God helps those who help themselves.”

But walking in the Spirit is just the opposite. We surrender our will to the Holy Spirit, and trust His still, small voice to direct us in all things. Indeed, the Holy Spirit was sent to set up the complete government of Christ in our lives. The Bible tells us, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23), and the Spirit does this ordering. He desires to lead and direct our every move.