Walking in the Holy Spirit





Memory Verse: Galatians 5:16




I. Introduction: Many believers go their entire Christian lives and never understand the necessity the Holy Spirit’s presence and work. Yet, apart from the Holy Spirit, you and I simply cannot lead godly lives. It is His grace that empowers us to resist sin and obey the Father. The Spirit helps us interpret Scripture and fellowship with the Lord. Without Him, no one can have a genuinely fruitful and victorious Christian life.




II. Who is the Holy Spirit?


A. A member of the Trinity (Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4)


B. Creator (Gen. 1:2, 26; Job 33:4)


C. A Person, not an impersonal force (John 14:16-17, 26)




III. What does the Holy Spirit do in our lives?


A. Teaches and reminds us of what we’ve learned (John 14:26)




B. Seeks to testify about Jesus rather than Himself (John 15:26)


C. Convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-13)




D. Guides us into all truth (John 16:13)


E. Glorifies Christ (John 16:14)


F. Dwells within every believer (Rom. 8:11)


G. Reveals the Lord’s plans for us (Rom. 8:14)


H. Assures us that we are children of God (Rom. 8:15-16)


I. Equips us with spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4, 7-8)


J. Gives power, especially for evangelism (Acts 1:7-8)


K. Intercedes for us (Rom. 8:26)


L. Seals our salvation (Eph. 1:13)


VI. What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?




A. This phrase means to live each moment dependent on the Holy Spirit, sensitive to His voice, and obedient to Him.




B. When the Spirit speaks to your heart, obey immediately. Delayed obedience is disobedience.


C. Sometimes it will become clear why the Holy Spirit directs us one way and not another. Other times, we may never know why. However, the wise man or woman will obey the Spirit’s voice—He knows all things, including the future, and His guidance is always for our benefit.


VII. How can we win the spiritual battle?


A. The Holy Spirit will equip us to live godly lives if we focus on Him. Romans 8:5 says, “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”




B. Believers have three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the Devil. The Devil can’t make God’s children do anything. He can tempt us and will certainly try to do so. But we can resist sin by allowing the Spirit’s power to work through us.


C. The spiritual battle takes place on two fronts: in our minds and in our behavior. The mind governs how we speak, act, and handle different situations. If we lose the battle on one front, we will also lose it on the other.




D. We must set our minds on obedience to God. Then we can win the battle against sin. The Spirit will speak to our hearts to warn us when we have stumbled into something wrong. At that moment, we must choose to obey.


E. Scripture refers to the importance of being mentally prepared for spiritual battle. First Peter 1:13 says, “Prepare your minds for action,” and Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”


G. Setting our minds on spiritual things must be done on a daily basis. Each morning, I surrender to God and ask Him to give me strength and guidance for the day.


E. Apart from Him, we are inadequate to do anything of real value. With Him, we can experience spiritual victory, no matter how weak or unimportant we feel.


VIII. Conclusion: Do you want to live with real peace, contentment, and joy in life? Do you want to have the power to overcome temptation and persevere through adversity? This kind of victorious living is found only through total surrender and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Set your mind on the things of God, and trust the indwelling Spirit to guide, enable, and empower you to obey His voice. When we remain sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance, depend upon Him totally, and obey, we experience life at its very best.
IN HIS SERVICE
DAVE