What It Means to Walk by the Spirit
In the past, before Jesus came, people often followed what their own bodies and selfish desires wanted. This is called “walking by the flesh.” The Law of Moses had many rules, like being circumcised, that people thought made them right with God. But now, because of Jesus, everything has changed.
When we believe in Jesus, God gives us the Holy Spirit. The Spirit lives inside us. We are now a “new creation”—we have a brand new life. The old things we used to think were important do not count anymore. This includes physical rules or trying to be good on our own. What really matters is this new life in Christ.
Because we have the Spirit, we should let the Spirit lead us. We are called to “walk by the Spirit” instead of going back to our old, selfish ways. This means listening to God, loving others, and living in a way that pleases God. The things that used to control us—the desires that led us away from God—do not have power over us anymore. We have been “crucified” to the old world, meaning that world is not in charge of us now.
Now, we live by a “new rule.” This new rule is not about what we do on the outside. It is about what God is doing inside us. The Bible says if we sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life. This means focusing on the things of God and doing what the Spirit wants. This means we will enjoy forever life with God, starting now and lasting forever.
This is what it looks like to live in the brand new age of life in Christ:
· We listen to the Holy Spirit.
· We do not let our old habits and selfishness control us anymore.
· The rules of the old Law, like circumcision, are not what matters.
· We are a new creation—God has changed us from the inside out.
· We live by faith in Jesus, guided by love and the Spirit.
· We look forward to eternal life, which is God’s gift to us.
In simple words, because Jesus came, we don’t need to depend on our own efforts to please God. We also don’t need to rely on old rules. We have God’s Spirit in us, leading us every day. When we follow the Spirit, we show that we belong to God’s new creation. We live the life that lasts forever.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 