Walking by the Spirit Archives

Walking by your Spirit

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

Father, I don’t walk according to a bunch of rules, rules that tell me what to do, but don’t give me the power to do them.

I walk by your Spirit.

I talk with him.

I commune with him, seeking his guidance, his leading.

As I do, I start to think like your Spirit does.

And that leads to life and peace for me. A life in which he empowers me to live in a way pleasing to you.

The same power that the Spirit exercised in Jesus to raise him from the dead, he exercises in me. He helps me to put to death sin in my life.

And the day is coming when he will raise me to new life, and I will be just like Jesus.

I don’t live my life by fear. Your Spirit leads me to cry out “Abba, Father,” and he himself testifies that I am yours.

When I groan because of this broken world, your Spirit gives me hope. He helps me in my weakness, praying for me according to your will, when I have no idea how to pray.

And because of that, I know that all things will work together for my good.

Thank you for the gift of your Spirit.

Walking by, led by, living by, keeping in step with the Spirit

I say, then, walk by the Spirit… (Galatians 5:16)

…you are led by the Spirit… (18)

…we live by the Spirit… (25a)

…let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (25b)

Holy Spirit, I’m not living this Christian life by my own efforts to keep a bunch of religious rules. I’m living this life in relationship with you.

Holy Spirit, it’s because of you that I have life. I was spiritually dead, and by your grace, you breathed life into me. And now by you, I cry out as a child of God, “Abba, Father.” (4:6)

So, Holy Spirit, lead me today. Show me where you’re going. Show me what you’re doing around me.

Help me to keep in step with you today. Not going ahead of you. Not falling behind you. Not going in a totally different direction from you.

Instead let me walk by your side, in your power and wisdom, so that I might bear your fruit in my life, touching the people around me with your love.

Teach me more each day what it means to walk by you, to be led by you, to live by you, and to keep in step with you. I want to know much more what that kind of life looks like.

In Jesus’ name, amen.