A child of about seven months will need the guidance of their parents and siblings when walking. This is because they not only give direction, but they are there to protect us from falling. Same also as believers, we need the help of the Holy Spirit to walk on this earth. Unfortunately, many people do not see the need to walk in the Spirit. However, in this article, you will learn why and how to walk in the Spirit as a believer.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Because the Holy Spirit cannot be seen, there have been many myths and misconceptions about Him; as he has been described as a force, a ghost, and a lesser god. That is why it is imperative that the believer get to know the Holy Spirit, develop a relationship with Him, and have a clear understanding of His manifestations.

The Holy Spirit is the third person in Trinity. He is the promise of the Father, and He dwells in the heart of believers by faith in Jesus. The Spirit makes people spiritually alive, and He will also raise their bodies. In a nutshell, the Holy Spirit is the foundation for Christianity, as he is the enabler of the believer in all things (John16:13).

What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?

A walk is frequently used in the bible as a metaphor for practical everyday existence. It is important to note that the life of believers here on earth is referred to as a journey, and we are called to walk circumspectly. Therefore, to walk in the Spirit simply means to yield to allow the control, leadership, and influence of the Holy Spirit over us (believer). The opposite of not walking in the Spirit is to resist Him or grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30).

According to the scriptural standard, all believers are expected to walk in the Spirit. The bible says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us likewise walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). As a new testament believer, walking in the Spirit is simply walking in the new life in Christ Jesus, and this is walking away from the old life ruled by sinful nature and the flesh and walking according to the dictates of Christ.

How to walk in the Spirit

Here are some of the ways from scripture on how to walk in the Spirit;

Be conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Always remember that the Holy Spirit is with you and lives inside you. He will help you walk in the Spirit. He will guide you in your daily life. Be conscious of his presence. Without him, you can do nothing. “Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” (Zechariah4:6)

Strip off all hindrances:

Strip off the things that slow you down. To walk in the Spirit, the things of God must matter to you more than the natural world. Get rid of the sin that easily gets you and the weights that drag you; it could be excessive eating, sleep, or the television program you know you shouldn’t be watching. You must be conscious of the cost of these things and ask the Holy Spirit to help you. “Therefore, since such a huge crowd of witnesses surrounds us to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Sow into the Spirit:

Sow into the Spirit by spending time in fellowship and intimacy with the Holy Spirit. You must create time for him each day. Study the Word, pray in the Spirit. No matter how busy you are, you must sow into the Spirit if you want to walk in the Spirit. You could devote an hour each day, and it would make a difference—Fellowship with the Holy Spirit. The more you spend time with him, the more you walk in the Spirit (Romans 10:17, Jude 1:20). Spending time with the Holy Spirit makes hearing God clearly easier; it helps you overcome the flesh builds and strengthens your Spirit.

Obey the Holy Spirit:

submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Depend completely on him, do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5, John 2:5). Obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Every instruction God gives you is very important. Even the ‘small’ things, they all count to him; you must obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Do not delay. Even when it’s something you don’t like, obey him. Remember, he knows better than you do. When you obey him, you will live in victory.

Walk-in Love:

To walk in the Spirit means walking in love. Love and seek God first and love your neighbours as you love yourself. Love is the best way to live above self/flesh. To walk in the flesh means satisfying our pleasures and desires without regard for other people’s needs, and it’s a selfish lifestyle consumed with self. To walk in love means regarding other people’s needs, understanding that you should reach out to others, not just yourself. The fruit of the Spirit is Love, and with it comes Joy, Peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, which are essential in walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

Why should you walk in the Spirit?

Here are our top reasons why you should walk in the Spirit as a believer

1. To walk in the perfect will of God. Aside from the Holy Spirit, you can not walk in the perfect will of God, and he is the guidance to every believer.
2. When you walk in the Spirit, you will have peace that passes all understanding. Most believers lack peace because they try to take the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. However, when you begin to walk in the Spirit, you will have peace and rest.
3. When you walk in the Spirit, you reflect the image of Christ. In the believer’s heart, the Holy Spirit is as Jesus in physical form with the disciple. One of the great things every believer should experience is that as they follow the Holy Spirit, they begin to find the character of Jesus in them.
4. Walking in the Spirit helps you subdue the flesh. The flesh always wants to rule the believer, but the flesh will be under your authority when you walk in the Spirit.

In conclusion, to be a Christian is to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of one’s life: thoughts, words, and deeds (Romans 6:11–14). Therefore, Walking in the Spirit follows the Spirit’s instructions every day.