What Does it Mean to Walk in the Spirit?
What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? A personal, scripture-based look at the old creature, the new creation, the fruit of the Spirit, and walking with Jesus.
Trace Pirtle
4 min read
Here's my short answer to "What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?"
It means that a transformation within us has taken place. A transformation that replaces the old creature who once joyfully walked in the flesh with a new creation who now walks in the Spirit. Let's think about this transformation and why it's necessary for walking with Jesus on the narrow path today and every day.
The Old Creature (Pre-Salvation)
I'm sure many of us can remember–in vivid detail–who we were and what we did before the blood of Christ saved us. Many testimonials are filled with graphic details to justify "I was a sinner before accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior."
One of my most respected brothers in Christ went to prison for drug dealing and murder. I never went to prison; I simply identify with the Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me. I was once an Air Force officer, but not a gentleman. Once a tenured university professor, but a flawed man who left his family to "follow his own Tao."
And while plenty of Christian autobiographies document "How bad I was," we each can see reflections of our old creature by simply reading Galatians 5:18-21. The Apostle Paul offers a laundry list of works of the flesh–each opposes walking in the Spirit.
And like a new psychology student finding reflections of themselves in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), so too should all believers see ourselves as we are as creatures of the flesh.
The New Creation (Post-Salvation)
The new creation, the one that God the Father sees, is fully capable of demonstrating the Fruit of the Spirit. Again, Apostle Paul lists the nine fruit of the Spirit as: "Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control; against such things there is no Law" (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV).
But before we can express God's qualities, the fruit of the Spirit, we need to be transformed by the renewal of our mind (Romans 12:2, ESV). Once we do so, it's like awakening to a new life, a new reality that we didn't see before.
Now we can see what is "expected" of those who keep God's Word. We can discern when we are walking in the flesh and when we are walking in the Spirit.
In my own life, I used to see "good and bad" like the Yin-Yang symbol: that is, in the dominant white, there is darkness, and in the darkness, there is light. It was all in a state of homeostasis, or balance.
That mindset allowed me to rationalize away "minor sins" as just being human. Besides, I hadn't killed anyone, even though while in the military I would have incinerated millions with up to 150 Minuteman II ICBMs had I been given a valid execution launch order.
The new creation in me sees life as truth or error with no grey area. I may not be a Biblical scholar, but I can read. God makes it clear what is true and right and good, from that which is error and unacceptable. That's why I call this website Simply Walking with Jesus. He makes the journey simple to follow, but not always easy to follow step-by-step.
New Creation: Not Always In Step
Now is when our humanity meets us on our local road to Emmaus. We can take comfort in our salvation, "For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift–not from works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, CSB).
But when I am out walking with Jesus, trying my best to shine His Light, I still wander off His path into rumbling, grumbling, and stumbling. During these times, I can imagine Him saying, "I'll wait here for you while you wander around in the mud puddles of life."
When I've experienced this, it's not like He is condemning me or even scolding me. It's more like reminding me of what I know is expected, but can't always muster.
And even when our footprints don't precisely match those of Jesus, we can rest assured that He loves us just the same. Tomorrow is a new day to demonstrate the fruit and walk in the Spirit.
Now What? Time to Walk in the Spirit
God, in Triune form, does not expect perfection of us. But I do believe He expects us to improve our walk in the Spirit, consistent with where we are on the sanctification journey.
Jesus shows compassion for those who are "little ones"–those who are new to the faith. Many have never even heard of the fruit of the Spirit, so how can they walk in the Spirit?
But as you and I grow in the faith, we are expected to demonstrate what we know as true. Yes, I believe the Holy Spirit does expect us to commit to working memory the nine fruit of the Spirit.
Why? Because if we don't know what they are, then how will we know when we are out of step with Jesus?
So, what does it mean to walk in the Spirit?
It means that we are transformed in Spirit, mind, and body to be more Christ-like.
It means that we can discern works of the flesh from the fruit of the Spirit.
It means that we can walk with Jesus, but not always leaving the same footprints in the sand.
Walking in the Spirit means taking deliberate steps. If we take each step in love, joy, and peace, we are walking in the Spirit.
If each step demonstrates patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, then we can be assured that we are walking in the Spirit.
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