Unless we make a total commitment to serve God we probably will not pursue the study of Scripture.  Without understanding Scripture we would not know the “mind of Christ” or how to “Walk in the Spirit”. We may be able to figure out what it means to “have the mind” of Christ, but how many know what it means to “walk in the Spirit”?   That is why it is so important to know who is urging us?  Thus, we will not know what comes to us is spiritual or what comes to us from the flesh.  It is a must that we know the difference. How else will we know when the Spirit is leading us or if it is an evil influence or coming from our feelings or imagination?  There is little chance we will know when to follow God’s guidance if we do not have spiritual knowledge and understanding.

Psalm 139:27 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;”

Hebrews 4:12 – 13 – “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

Scripture and the Holy Spirit provide us with the truth.  It also helps us define our motives and our purposes.  We should receive a conviction when we have made a wrong decision.  At that point it should become very clear what we should have done.  Sometimes the only way we know how to “walk in the Spirit” is through repeated experiences.

There should come a time in every Christian’s life when we have but one motive and one desire and that is to serve God.  It normally occurs once we have become willing to give up control and depend on God.  Most find it very difficult to give up control because of a lack of faith that God will do as promised.  When we plan, does our plan seem better than what God would plan or allow?  Have you tried asking God for help in planning?  Did He fail to answer immediately and you couldn’t wait; or just plain didn’t answer?  Was that your fault or God’s?

Psalm 43:3 – “Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me.  Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.”

Adam’s sin was choosing to do his thing separated from God.  As a result, God left him by withdrawing His Spirit.  Are we just as guilty?  Our repentance and acceptance of Christ, God gives us His Spirit that we will no longer be separated.  This is a new experience that we have never had before.  It may take time to relinquish and become dependent upon God and accept our partnership arrangement that He offers.  Can we then describe “walking in the Spirit” as walking hand-in-hand with God and depending on Him for advice, direction and purpose?

Galatians 5:25 – “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

John 5:30 – “I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.”

This was Christ’s principle on earth.  The Son could do nothing on His own.  That total denial is our ultimate goal in serving God.  Everything Christ did was laying the ground work to fulfill His death on the cross and His resurrection.  After He was resurrected He told His disciples that they would receive “power from on high” or the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  That power was the ability, the talents and the confidence to live as Christ taught we should live and we would “walk in the Spirit”.  With this power we can become obedient to God’s Will and ways.  Without the Holy Spirit our flesh or carnal nature was in control and could not meet God’s requirements.

Romans 7:15 – 17 – “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.  But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.  So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.”

Paul realized He could not live the Christian life without God’s help.  Too many become Christians and believe they do not have to study Scripture or pray, they can do it on their own.  They end up no more than just a professing Christian without the power from God, struggling each day and wondering why living a Christian life is so difficult. They wonder where is this joy, peace and love they talk about?  They must understand that the Bible says we must surrender our old nature and let the new nature control.  It’s the one that God gives us when we receive the Holy Spirit.  We must learn that God will not force Himself on to us.  For the power to work, He must control but only with our permission.  Are you ready to give it so you can “walk in the Spirit”?