Walking by the Spirit
by Ricky Zeznanski
Learning to walk takes practice. As a toddler, the more steps I took, the more proficient I became, until walking was a normal part of my life. The same principle is true spiritually. When I first became a Christ follower, my steps were small and uncertain. But as I practiced and became more mature in Christ, walking by the spirit became a normal and essential part of my life.
The first step in walking by the Spirit is to be fully persuaded that I can’t live the Christian life by human effort. Until I grasp that truth, I will rely on my own strength, repeatedly fail and find myself confessing the same old sins over and over again without ever mastering them.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).
The second step is to recognize that the Holy Spirit is the one who overcomes my sinful desires and gives me victory as I rely on His power. I do this by asking the Spirit to help me understand God’s word and will. I also pray that He’ll give me a sense of revulsion at sin in my life and infuse me with a desire to know, love and obey Christ more each day. My goal is that when temptation comes my way, I surrender to the Spirit and do what He desires step-by-step.
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
I also like to do a “walking by the Spirit” check-up. Am I producing the fruit of the spirit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)? Is there an area where I am lacking? I also ask someone close to tell me what qualities they see in my life. Then I pray and ask God for help in the areas lacking.
Through all of this effort I put into walking with the Spirit, I find that my relationship with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit becomes closer and even more intimate.
Author Bio
Ricky Z serves as the co-ministry leader for Celebrate Recovery at Council Road. He is also employed at Capstone Construction and speaks around the state at many of the prisons and jails. He is engaged to Amy Boman, and they are planning a 2022 Valentine wedding.