Walking in the Spirit/Walking in the Flesh

Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation (guilty verdict with a sentence of damnation to hell) to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk (live) not after (after the manner of) the flesh (the body as opposed to the soul or spirit) but after (after the manner of) the Spirit (Christ’s Holy Spirit).

Romans 8:5: For they that are after the flesh (the body) do mind (set their hearts and affections on) the things of the flesh (the body); but they that are after the Spirit (do mind: set their hearts and minds on) the things of the Spirit.

Question: What are the things of the flesh (the body), that we so often set our affections on, and what are the things of the Spirit (Christ’s Holy Spirit) that we are supposed to set our hearts and minds upon?

Answer:
Galatians 5:19-24

1. Now the works of the flesh are manifest (apparent, seen easily), which are these; Adultery, fornication (to indulge in unlawful lust, that is, harlotry, adultery, incest, engaging in sexual acts outside of the marriage covenant; or to practice idolatry in a spiritual sense), uncleanness (physical or moral impurity), lasciviousness (moral unrestraint, that is, given over to vices),
2. Idolatry (image worship), witchcraft (sorcery-drug use to get a “high,” thereby opening ourselves to demonic and occult powers), hatred, variance (quarreling, fighting, arguing), emulations (malicious jealousy), wrath (fierceness), strife (intrigue, manipulating others for your benefit), seditions (causing dissentions and divisions within the body of Christ), heresies (making cliques or unions within the body of Christ),
3. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings (letting loose by carousing, that is, all-night partying and rioting), and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
4. But the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace, longsuffering (putting up with one another out of love), gentleness, goodness, faith,
5. Meekness, temperance (self control), against such there is no law.
6. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (passions) and lusts (desires).

Paul exhorts us in Galatians 5:16 to “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust (desires) of the flesh (body as apposed to the soul and spirit).

Because

Romans 8:6: To be carnally (fleshly) minded is death; but to be spiritually minded (setting our thoughts affections and desire on the things of the Spirit) is life and peace.
Romans 8:7: Because the carnal (fleshly) mind is enmity (hostility and hatred) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Romans 8:8: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Comment: If you are engaging in the things of the flesh you are expressing hatred towards God and cannot please Him.  In essence, you are not walking in love, which is the law of God.

Question: How do we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh?

Answer: Romans 6:11 and 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Romans 6:11:  Likewise reckon (consider) yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Comment: First, you must consider yourselves dead to sin.  This is what is supposed to happen at baptism.  Our old man (sin nature and works of the flesh) is supposed to die and we are supposed to walk in newness of life (walking in the Spirit).   A dead man can commit no sin.  The dead cannot do anything.  They are dead.  If each of us considers ourselves dead, we will not be able to engage in sinful acts.  Paul goes on to say:

Romans 6:12: Let not sin therefore reign in your body (rule your body) that ye should obey it in the lusts (desires) thereof.

Comment: Instead, focus your mind on the things of the Spirit, namely love of God and the brethren.  If you truly love God and your neighbor you will not be able to commit sin, whether a single act or the habitual practice of it.

Question: How do we stop walking after the things of the flesh?

Answer: 2 Corinthians 10:5: Casting down imaginations (arguments), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience (attentive listening and submission to) of Christ;

Question: Is it possible to walk in the Spirit all the time?

Answer: YES!! We need only submit to the Holy Spirit out of love rather than pursuing what our flesh wants. Paul says that if we walk in the Sprit (Walk in love and obedience) that we will not fulfill (bring to pass) the lusts (desires) of the flesh, which are essentially sinful acts.

Father thank You for Your Son’s Holy Spirit of Peace that we may live in peace with You and our brethren by the divine influence of Your Son upon our hearts and He reflecting in our lives.
Halle lu YAH