How to walk in the spirit

Op2Rev Sarah Nyathi
Previously we discussed the law of “Sin and Death” which is examined at length by Paul in the Books of Romans chapters 7 and 8. Paul alludes to a battle and an antagonism between the desires of the regenerated human spirit and the fleshly appetites in us which still desire to pursue what they have enjoyed in the past.

We looked at all the desires of the flesh (the human nature without God) and realised that it is so easy to be involved in these activities.

I recall a man of God pointing out that “sin is enjoyable”, to believe otherwise is folly. That is why Paul refers to it as a struggle, if sin was not fun and enjoyable the battle between the two camps of human nature and regenerated human spirit would not exist.

Without dwelling too much on the nature of the battle we will look at how we can wage this battle with some measure of success.

If the human nature without God is allowed to reign supreme, we will continue to read reports of men and women who have achieved exploits for the kingdom of God (mega healing crusades, acts of compassion to the needy, building huge edifices to the glory of God and having large followings) falling into sin as they reach the pinnacles of success in ministry. Many have come crashing down in disgrace as they have yielded to the desires of the fleshly, human nature.

Blackaby and Blackaby in their book “Spiritual Leadership” assert that a very important characteristic that all Christians and particularly Christian leaders should possess is Godly Character. They state that charisma without character will ultimately result in the demise of the believer.

Many Christians and Christian leaders (including those on the periphery of Christianity) all exude buckets of charisma. They are well groomed (sporting expensive suits and hairstyles, fragrances, latest vehicles, mansions whether purchased or leased, flashing wads of ill-gotten cash), are well spoken, in many cases preaching exciting, rousing messages that have no theological credence.

Exercising the gifts of the Spirit is their forte (the source of the power in some cases is questionable) healing the sick, casting out devils, deliverance sessions and related activities. Despite such high levels of charisma very few have worked on their character, which according to Blackaby and Blackaby is an essential ingredient in the success of any average Christian or Christian leader.

In all honesty, if the Christian community is to maintain its dignity (the little that is left) we all need to learn to start walking in the spirit. We need to learn to build Godly character and start conducting our lives by these standards.

Walking in the spirit is a lifestyle that can be cultivated. If a believer determines in their heart that they would like to embark on this journey they may do so. Romans 8:14 – “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God”. Living and walking in the Spirit is a sign and a seal that one is indeed a child of God.

What then are the hallmarks or signs that one is indeed walking in the Spirit? There are certain behavioural traits of one who is learning to or is attempting to walk in the spirit. They will start exhibiting some of the “Fruit of the Spirit” that is outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. These are:-

  •  Love – (love is not a feeling but an act of the will, a choice. We choose to love even the unlovable).
  •  Peace – the peace that surpasses human understanding even in times of difficulty.
  •  Long suffering – being patient and exhibiting                Godly behaviour in difficult circumstances.
  •  Kindness.
  •  Goodness.
  • Faithfulness – faithful with finances, property          belonging to others and with what God has entrusted   to us.
  • Meekness – this is not weakness. It is being                assertive and strong, yet humble.
  • Self control – controlling your temper and other              fleshly appetites. Not being a slave to the flesh.

This is easier said than done, as the flesh is very strong-willed and can speak out loud, rebelling and refusing to be brought under control.

The flesh does speak, try to fast and see what happens at 1300 hours when your workmates start bringing in lunch hour delights into the office! The flesh can sometimes be dictatorial. When it desires something it can be so forceful that you may feel if you fail to obey it something terrible will happen.

Yet, I contend that the flesh can be easily controlled. The flesh seems difficult to contain as we live in a “feel good” generation, that has been brought up on a steady diet of “quick fixes” and self centredness.

When we look at generals in the faith in our nation, men such as Apostle Ezekiel Guti and Reverend Jeffry Mkwananzi, we see men who mastered their flesh and learned to walk in the spirit.

As a result they are now in their twilight  years, have built solid, stable, biblically based ministries which they will leave as a legacy for future generations.

Both men have walked with the Lord and served in ministerial capacities since the 1950s long before many of us were born, yet they have untarnished testimonies more than fifty years later

Neither of these generals in the faith have any scandals related to adulterous relationships, embezzlement of ministry funds, manipulating and robbing people of their property or any scandalous behaviour. I wonder how many of our crop of ministers will get to their seventies, eighties and nineties with clean records and clean hands.

The prophet Samuel approaches the end of his ministry to Israel and calls the congregation and he boldly asks if there is anybody who can accuse him of anything wrong that he has done to the people.

1 Samuel 12:3-5 “Behold, here I am. Witness against me before Jehovah and before His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose ass have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I received a bribe, to blind my eyes with it?

And I will restore it to you. And they said, you have not defrauded us nor oppressed us, neither have you taken from any man’s hand. And he said to them, Jehovah is witness against you and His anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand. And they answered he is witness”.

I wonder as I often do, if the current crop of ministers of the gospel (myself included) were taken to a public arena and scrutinized in a similar fashion. How many of us would be considered innocent?

In my view these generals Apostle Guti and Rev Mkwananzi have left an example for us to emulate. Billy Graham, a world-renowned evangelist was asked how he had managed to maintain a good testimony in all his years of ministry and he replied “ that I never spent time, counselled, ate or travelled in the presence of another woman without my wife”. When asked what he would do differently if he were given a second chance at life he answered “I would read more (the Bible), pray more and talk less”. This is inspirational.

If these men could do it in the past, has the playing field been changed for us as twenty first century believers? I would hastily add that it has not changed and the standards that applied then still apply now.

The question you must be asking is how can an individual walk in the Spirit? The answer is simple and is found in the scriptures.

Galatians 5:16 states that “walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh”. What this statement translates to practically is laid out hereunder:-

1.    Make it a habit to consciously notice how to conduct yourself. The words you speak, the thoughts you think, your reaction to others etc.
2.    Don’t try to walk in the Spirit the whole month, just try to do it in the next five minutes, the next hour in the day.
3.    Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide you 24/7.
4.    Have a friend who can remind you to continuously display Godly character.
5.    Spend time in the word of God and prayer, as it is the word that transforms us and changes our lives.
6.    Have people who can speak into your life and point out your mistakes when you are wrong.

It has been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Undo the old habit of walking and acting in the flesh and attempt to live in the Spirit for the next 21 days. Victory could soon be yours.

Remember – Romans 8:14 : For as many as  are led by the Spirit  of God, they are the sons of God.

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