Walking in the Spirit

June 23, 2020

[Text Version]

LEARNING TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT

When we become accustomed to fellowshipping with the Lord in all the ways He speaks, we become fluent in walking in the Spirit as a way of life. Walking in the Spirit is merely being aware and sensitive to the fact that Jesus is inside, and He is drawing us. He uses our eyes, ears, mouth, hands, mind, and life as His expression.

The foundation of it all – begins as learning how to identify what is quickened by His Spirit. They are like trail markers that connect the dots from tree to tree. The things that are quickened in life are like signs saying, “You are here and I am with you.”

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

I learned the concept of following only what the Spirit was saying and doing when Bob Jones held conferences and he wanted the speakers to share what they had received the night prior. They gathered at breakfast in a powwow and each shared what they received and then understood the direction of what the Holy Spirit was wanting to go at the conference meetings that day.

I have been practicing that same idea in my fellowship with people and in teaching what He is bringing to the table. It is an awesome way to be Spirit led and very fun. It is learning to take the back seat and honoring what the Lord brings up in conversations and then allowing Him to connect the common denominators and subjects in a natural flowing sharing process. I have so enjoyed seeing how the Lord weaves His Words in order to build and restore and bring increase.

Learning this concept in functioning in a team is important. It is learning to be sensitive to the flow of what He is saying and doing through the body – connecting into that flow, giving honor to others, knowing their gifts and submitting to the Lord through them.

In the NT the Lord sent out His disciples in teams of two. This was important for their agreement and protection. This is something God Himself does in joining people together for His purposes. It is the whole concept of living stones being prepared outside the quarry and then being fit into place.

Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth two by two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth concerning anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.

Psalms 133:1-2 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

WHY DID JESUS LEAVE AND GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN HIS PLACE?

As human beings, it is hard to understand what it really means to walk in the Spirit, and as the scripture mentions below, the flesh and Spirit are contrary to one another. I would like to explain this by way of a revelation the Lord showed me.

Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Gal 5:24 NKJV

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The disciples were human beings in the flesh and they walked with Jesus Who walked in a human body on earth. They saw Jesus every day; watched Him pray, watched Him do miracles and teach. They saw the fruit of His character and lifestyle. Even when they did not understand some things, they truly listened and really did know Him and His teachings. They also got to experience this when the Lord gave them power and authority to heal the sick and cast out devils. And that was pretty awesome. However, Jesus knew something was missing and it was an important part of their training.

Picture them being totally bonded to Jesus and all that He represented, when He said these Words:

John 16:5-8 NLT

“But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and none of you has asked me where I am going. Instead, you are very sad. But it is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you.

I am sure they scratched their heads, in the same way I do when I read that scripture. Who in their right mind wouldn’t rather have Jesus with them? Why is it better to have the Holy Spirit?

Now make the connection with this scripture:

Luke 17:20-21 NKJV

“The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Do you see the connection? They walked with Jesus in full observation of Who He was and what He did. However they had yet to understand, realize and EXPERIENCE the Lord’s kingdom inside of them. What they saw with their natural eyes and ears encumbered them from entering into the secret kingdom that Jesus spoke of, and Jesus walked in. Here Jesus’ death ripped all the veils away and He made it possible to truly hear and see and know God. But Jesus had to leave for them to find it.

In the same way Jesus knew the invisible Father while He walked the earth, Jesus wanted them to learn how to walk in the Spirit and to know God’s kingdom within them.

Have you ever wanted a popular spiritual leader to personally mentor you, call you on the phone and teach you face to face? How often does the Lord answer that prayer? (Smile) Have you ever desired a really good friend or group of people to walk with in the Lord with whom you are equally yoked? These gifts are wonderful helps and add strength to your faith and comfort so that you don’t feel so alone. The Lord has intended that as a body, we need one another and cannot walk independently. He has also intended that His gifts are imparted through people. However, these helps should not take your focus away from a deeper communion with the Holy Spirit in a quiet, intimate walk of hearing and seeing the realm of the Spirit which is without observation.

1 John 2:27 NKJV

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Matt 16:17-18 NLT

Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.

When what you see in the natural is taken away, it is as though a stripping takes place and you come into a different world. The more you commune with the Lord, Whom you cannot see in the natural, the more you learn to commune with Him through the Holy Spirit.

THE MORE WE EXPERIENCE, THE MORE WE LEARN HOW

He quickens His Words with life.
He takes the veil away and reveals His truth.
He brings personal confirmations.
He speaks His Words in parts and pieces.

Along the left column are suggestions of the many ways God speaks to us through parts and pieces. As we learn to sense His quickening upon something, we are drawn to it, and as we seek Him about it, He will help us connect the dots with other parts. It is a journey, like following a treasure map as He leads us from one dot to another until we fully understand His message and intent.

He surrounds us with those rich experiences and the more we have, the more we learn how to walk in His Spirit. None of these experiences can happen in the flesh, where we can “make” them happen. Each one of them is a gift from the Holy Spirit. We may live our entire Christian life and have these experiences from time to time, but not recognize them as a vital and important part of intimacy with Him.

Each one of them is learning HOW the Holy Spirit communes with us, speaks to us, and walks with us. The more we become acquainted with recognizing the foundational experiences of quickening, revelation, confirmations, and God puzzles, the easier it is to hear Him and walk with Him. This precious relationship happens on the inside of us.

John 14:26 NKJV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.