Galatians 6:1-5 How to Walk in the Spirit

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.

Paul is continuing his discussion contrasting the flesh vs the Spirit. There are two people in this passage. The one who is caught in any trespass is the one who is living in the flesh. The one who is spiritual is the one who is walking in the spirit.

He is suggesting that those who have learned to walk in the Spirit should mentor those who are not as far along. If you take on the role of mentor there will be temptations.

The most obvious temptation is to identify too much with the one you are teaching. In order to appear "sympathetic", you will join him in his fleshly pursuits. In the end, you will roll in the mud together.

The other temptation is pride. When comparing yourself to a believer who is still struggling with spirituality, it's easy to see your own, more advanced spiritual state, and think that you have somehow attained it by your own merit.

I used to be a believer that lived in the flesh. In spite of my good intentions, I couldn't overcome the sin in my life, and it ruled me. I never denied my faith, but I wasn't living the way I should. When I learned to walk in the Spirit, God delivered me from those sinful patterns. As he said, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." [Galatians 5:16]\

Because I still live in this body, my flesh still tries to rise up - not in the old sinful behavior from which God delivered me - but in the form of pride. I confess; pride is my nemesis. I want to compare my spirituality with other "less spiritual" believers. I want to think that I made the connection and the effort to walk in the Spirit. But I know that these are false.

Learning to walk in the Spirit didn't happen because of a great intellectual leap on my part. It happened because the Holy Spirit revealed it to me. I didn't overcome any sin on my own, but He took it from me. I did none of the work. He did everything. For my part, I believed, and I trusted.

Walking in the Spirit requires an act of faith. When you are tempted, you tell yourself, "I shouldn't do that." Then you steel yourself to resist the temptation. The problem is that telling yourself "I shouldn't" is an act of law, which is of the flesh. Trying to resist is an act of the flesh. You are only strengthening your flesh, which leads to more sin.

The first step in walking in the Spirit is acknowledging Him. When you are tempted, don't resist. Instead acknowledge that you are being tempted, then turn your heart and mind to Jesus. Stay there and rest in Him. Remember that He is living inside your heart, so you don't have to look out somewhere for help. He is right there.

You know that feeling you get when you are in the presence of the Holy Spirit? I'm not talking about your emotional reaction, but the feeling deep in your spirit, deeper than emotion. Emotions fluctuate. They come and go, depending on our circumstances. But the feeling of the presence of God does not depend on emotion.

Meditate on Him in prayer, and when you feel the presence of God, hang on to that feeling. Remember what it is like to be in His presence.

As you go through your day, you can feel the presence of God in everything you do; while working, playing, talking, or whatever you are doing. If you are driving your car and your spouse is sitting next to you, you don't forget your spouse just because you are driving. You can drive and also be aware of the presence of another person in the car. In the same way, you can drive and be aware of the Holy Spirit in you heart.

It is not easy at first to maintain an awareness of God. You get busy and your mind drifts. But as you remember, turn your mind back toward God, and maintain that awareness in the back of your mind. With practice, you will find that it becomes natural and habitual.

Living with full awareness of the Spirit of God, abiding in Him, this is what it means to walk in the Spirit. Learning to live without rules and being led by the Spirit is like stepping out of the boat and walking on the water. It takes faith. Trust God, and step out in faith.