Galatians 5:13-26 By using the word "walk" it is referring to your life style with its corresponding choices, actions and consequences. The first step in learning to walk in the Spirit, is to learn that there is a difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh. Gal. 5:1 says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." The implication is that before Christ the only choice was to walk in the flesh. It is true that one can make some good choices in the flesh, but the motivation is going to be, "what is good for my 'flesh'?" Because we have been set free in Christ we can make real choices, we can choose to do the things the old nature wants to do, but we don't have to. Verse 18 says that if we are led by the Spirit then we are not under the law. Notice that the Spirit leads, He does not push or coerce. He, in a sense like a guide that walks ahead on a dark path with a big light that reveals where the path is and the hidden dangers on the sides of the path. The more we know the Word of God, and the more time we spend with Him the more sharply the path will be defined. The real point of success is that after we began to choose the leading of the Spirit, we began to like the results of that choice. The choosing becomes more natural, we began to feel better about ourselves, and began to see others as more than an object to satisfy our needs. Contrast the acts of the sinful nature (verse 19ff -all are related to sense and self-gratification) with the fruit of the Spirit (verse 22f - all are faith and other related). As with most things success comes through practice - not easy but bears fruit.

Learning to Walk in the Spirit