For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:13-16
As Christians, we are walking in a world that is completely opposed to what we believe, teach, and practice. The world hated Jesus, so it should not surprise us when it resists those who follow in His steps. Yet walking as Jesus walked—living in obedience to God—is more than we can accomplish in our own strength. It requires the power of the Holy Spirit.
To walk in the Spirit means to live each day in conscious dependence upon Him—yielding our thoughts, desires, and decisions to His control and responding in obedience to His leading. When the Holy Spirit is actively at work in our lives and we are living under His influence, the way we live will be different. Being filled with the Spirit changes not only how we act, but what we desire.
The power of the Holy Spirit is not reserved for Sunday morning at church, but is meant for every day and every moment of life. He indwells every believer, but not every believer is walking under His direction and control. That is a daily choice. Nothing else can be allowed to rule our lives. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Just as alcohol controls an inebriated person, so our lives are to be controlled—under the influence of—the Holy Spirit.
