Q: What Does It Mean to Walk by the Spirit — Not the Flesh? — Leena, Hyderabad
A: Leena, thank you for this crucial question. Let us look to scripture and find the answer.
“But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature (which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts).”
— Galatians 5:16 (AMP)
More Than Behaviour #
Many think walking by the Spirit means merely avoiding sin. But Scripture shows us it is far more: it is a daily death to the old man, a resurrection into Christ’s life, and a yielded dependence on the indwelling Holy Spirit. We do not walk by the Spirit merely to behave better—we walk because the flesh cannot please God. It is a spiritual exchange, not a moral upgrade.
The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit #
“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh…”
Galatians 5:17 (AMP)
| The Flesh (σάρξ – sarx) | The Spirit (πνεῦμα – pneuma) |
|---|---|
| Self-will, rebellion, ego | Surrender, obedience, divine desire |
| Birth of Adam | New birth in Christ |
| Cannot submit to God (Rom 8:7) | Is led by God (Rom 8:14) |
| Lives for the now | Lives for the eternal |
The Greek word sarx does not mean the human body. It refers to the Adamic principle of independence from God—the self-life. The Spirit, on the other hand, is not merely a force but a Person — the life of Christ now within you (Romans 8:9–11).
Galatians 2:20 – The Crucified Life #
“I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
Galatians 2:20 (AMP)
This verse shows us the only path to walking in the Spirit — the death of the ‘I’. It is not just the sinful actions that must go; it is the very self-nature, the ego that insists on living. The Greek for “I have been crucified” is systauroō, meaning co-crucified. This is a union death. You did not die alone—Christ carried you into His death.
The second part of the verse reveals resurrection: “Christ lives in me.” That is the Spirit-walk. You no longer try to live for God. Now God lives through you.
“The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God.”
Galatians 2:20b (AMP)
Faith Is the Channel #
- The word faith here is pistis (πίστις) – it means trust born by divine persuasion.
- We do not manufacture faith; the Spirit births it in the heart.
- Faith is not belief in a doctrine; it is surrender to a Person, Jesus Christ.
The Fruit of the Spirit — Not the Works of Self #
“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love, joy, peace, patience…”
Galatians 5:22 (AMP)
Notice Paul says fruit, not fruits. It is singular. This is not a list of goals. It is one fruit — Christ’s life in you. These are not external behaviours to copy, but internal realities to express.
| Works of the Flesh | Fruit of the Spirit |
|---|---|
| Comes from effort and striving | Comes from union and surrender |
| Multiple and chaotic | Singular and ordered |
| Produced by fallen nature | Manifested by Christ within |
All attempts to walk in love, joy, and peace without the Spirit become legalism. But when He lives through us, the fruit grows naturally.
Walking: A Lifestyle of Yielding #
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:25 (AMP)
The Greek word for “walk” here is stoicheō, which means to keep in step, like a soldier. It is not just movement; it is movement in rhythm with the Spirit.
This means:
- Slowing down when He leads you to wait.
- Moving forward, when He prompts action.
- Speaking when He opens your mouth.
- Staying silent when He seals your lips.
“The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord…”
Psalm 37:23 (AMP)
This is not about perfection but positioning — a heart postured to follow.
Romans 8: Life in the Spirit or Death in the Flesh #
“For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus… has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:2 (AMP)
The Christian life is not lived under the law of effort, but under the law of the Spirit of life.
Here’s a contrast:
| Law of Sin and Death | Law of the Spirit of Life |
|---|---|
| Tries to make the flesh behave | Renders the flesh dead |
| External commands | Internal transformation |
| Leads to guilt and defeat | Leads to joy and victory |
If you feed the flesh, the law of sin and death activates. But if you yield to the Spirit, the law of life takes over.
Why We Must Not Walk by the Flesh #
“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Romans 8:8 (AMP)
You may be saved but still walking after the flesh. This grieves the Spirit and hinders Christ being formed in you.
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [but seek to please Him] by whom you were sealed.”
Ephesians 4:30 (AMP)
Walking in the flesh leads to:
- Compromise and confusion
- Emotional instability
- Dependence on performance and people’s opinions
The Spirit leads us into:
- Truth and clarity
- Peace and freedom
- Christ-likeness and spiritual maturity
Christ In You — The Spirit-Walk Defined #
“Christ in you, the hope and guarantee of [realising the] glory.”
Colossians 1:27 (AMP)
To walk in the Spirit is to let Christ live through you. This is not mystical—it is moment-by-moment surrender. It is living by another’s life.
“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our competence comes from God.”
2 Corinthians 3:5 (AMP)
I hope this answers your question, Leena.
In Christ,
Shaliach.
