When I was a child, and then a teen and on up into my twenties, I heard many 'church phrases' (my father being in the ministry). I was born and raised on church terminology, accepted Jesus as my savior at a very young age, and yet most of these phrases meant little at all to me. I didn't know what they meant. In retrospect, I wonder why I didn't ask my parents. I'm still not sure, but one of the purposes of my blog is to enlighten people about scriptural things, so when I run across one of these phrases I try to remember that others might be in the dark, too.
Why do we talk this way? No, it's not just to annoy non-believers, to get on their nerves! It is the language of the Christian taken from God's Word. Just as scientists and accountants speak with words from their knowledge and experience base, so Christians speak from theirs. Maybe a good way to begin is to look at a few verses that refer to spirit.
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none." Matt. 12:43. The scripture plainly tells us here that the reference is to an unclean spirit. That is not the spirit we seek to walk with, but it is the spirit of all those who have not received Jesus Christ as savior. All human beings have either the spirit of the devil or the Spirit of the Lord directing and influencing their lives.
"And when the disciples saw him [Jesus] walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear." Matt. 14:26. Now in this case the scripture doesn't indicate what type of spirit they thought this to be. People were often initially frightened upon seeing spirits or angels - whether good or evil - simply because spirit manifestation is out of the realm of normal activity for most human beings. However, since that area of the world was filled with demon worship, this type of spirit appearance may not have been that unusual, and there is plenty of reason to be very frightened if demon spirits manifest themselves.
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out." Luke 11:24. This gives us a little more insight into demonic spirits, which are desperate to inhabit a person. They are so restless when disembodied that they will even enter into an animal, if necessary. That is why the demons Christ drove out of the demoniac begged Jesus to allow them to enter the swine, which he did allow.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1. Notice the capitol letter "S." This immediately tells us that Paul is talking specifically about the Holy Spirit. He is reminding them that through Christ's sacrifice on the cross they are now free from the bondage of their old natures, since the Holy Spirit is now their guide.
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:4. The moment a person accepts Christ into his life the Holy Spirit comes into his life. Unclean spirits may still influence a Christian, but they cannot inhabit or possess a Christian once the Holy Spirit resides in him.
"I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?" 2 Corinthians 12:18. Both Paul (who is speaking to the church in Corinth) and Titus were indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but here Paul is referring to the unity of spirit they shared together as people. They were united in their thoughts and spirits because they shared the same goals and outlook, as Christian men whose lives were now guided by the Holy Spirit.
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." Galatians 5:16,17. Here, Paul is talking to fellow Christians in Galatia. These were probably 'baby Christians,' who were not really allowing the Holy Spirit to rule and reign in their lives. He explains that it is necessary to obey the urging of the Holy Spirit within them if they wanted to attain to full Christian maturity. If they weren't being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit they would be ineffective Christians rather than growing in their faith by walking in the Spirit. He is explaining that the 'natural man,' the natural fleshly nature of human beings, is prone to sin and demonic influences. They needed to vigilantly guard themselves against that.
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:25. Paul is telling them to treasure and nurture the Holy Spirit, newly in them, through obedience. As we obey God's Word, the Bible, we make more and more of ourselves available to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as He leads us into Christian maturity. It is only in this way that we can fulfill the tasks God has for each one of us. Otherwise, we are ineffectual and make poor use of the mercy and grace he has extended toward us.
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" Ephesians 2:1,2. Paul is warning the church at Ephesus the same as he did to the Galatians, reminding them that the Holy Spirit had 'quickened' them [made them alive] from their previously condition as 'world walkers' who remained subject to demonic persuasion. He is stressing how important it is for them to 'walk in the Spirit' which is newly within them.
The Holy Spirit is a precious gift Who resides within the believer and empowers him to overcome sin and live for the glory of God, serving the specific purpose He has for each Christian while on earth. We can, however, severely limit His power by ignoring Him. Those who seek to obey and follow His influence have limitless access to an abundant life of power that comes only from God.
Walking in the Spirit means that we rely on Him to lead the way, to speak, to give us warnings and direction. We, in turn, follow directions, heed His warnings and obey His directions. It is a path of complete surrender on our part. This is not easy - no argument there - but it is well worth the challenge. It leads to an incredibly rich and powerful fullness of life, an amazingly abundant and victorious journey ... a journey that prepares us to rule and reign with Jesus Christ on earth at His second coming. Our walks here will determine our rewards there.
If people could only comprehend the purpose for which they are intended while on this earth they would take an entirely different approach to life here. This life is a TEST. How well a Christian does while here on earth will determine the POSITION he will have throughout all of eternity. I read one theologian the other day who speculated about Christians having the opportunity to rule a planet or paint a sunset. I think he's right on target. I'm not interested in flipping burgers throughout eternity while I try to pass Eternity 101.
Which spirit will you walk with?
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