The Normal Christian Life

The Path of Progress:

Walking in the Spirit
• We saw the struggle of Romans 7.
• No man can keep the law—so we have been
joined to Christ to free us from its’ grip
• The struggle of Romans 7: “Who shall deliver
me from this body of DEATH…” is to show how
pointless our own effort is.
• To bring us to: “I thank God through our Lord
Jesus Christ…”
• The law gives you neither the desire nor the
power to do God’s will, only grace can do that.
• “Do this and live , the law commands, but
gives me neither feet nor hands. A better
word the gospel brings. It bids me fly and
gives me wings.”
• Four concepts of contrast and experience:
– “In Adam” “in Christ”

– “In the flesh” “in the Spirit”

– Top 2 are objective and set forth our position

– The other 2 are subjective and relate to our walk
as a matter of practical experience
• “There is therefore now no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not
walk according to the flesh, but according to
the Spirit.” Ro.8:1
• “katakrima” kata:against krima:sentence
pronounced
• Based on what GOD has made YOU there is
not one bit of condemnation against you
• The key to living in the victory provided for
you by Christ is found in our “walk”
• The word walk is an interesting use here.
• “that the righteous requirement of the law
might be fulfilled in us who do not walk
according to the flesh but according to the
Spirit.”
• Walk comes the Greek word: peripateo
• Peri-around or with respect to
• Pateo-a path
• When you walk you are keeping in step with
regards to a particular path.
• It is one thing to be “in” Christ, it is entirely
another to “walk” (keep in step) in a particular
path-that being the sphere of the Holy Spirit
• The emphasis is not on us but the HOLY SPIRIT.
• He is exhorting us to live our lives in
dependence on Him.
• All that we need IN Christ is held for us BY the
Holy Spirit.
• “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace.” Ro.8:6
• “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall
not fulfill the lust of the flesh” Ga.5:16
• The Holy Spirit is active and alive in the
believers life by daily promptings and leadings
• These promptings are always in line with
Scripture and are meant to release in us the
“fruit” of Ga.5:22-23
• But if we refuse to live our lives in this realm
by keeping in step with the Spirit, then our
flesh will rise up and we will manifest the
“works” of the flesh found in Ga.5:19-21
• When this happens the blessing of the Spirit
filled life is held in suspension until we repent
and yield back to God.
 God’s Promptings
The Holy Spirit and the flesh work accordingly:

Holy Spirit prompts The flesh arouses

We envision result We see pleasure
We yield to God We give over to
We reap rewards We reap consequence
• Many make the Holy Spirit and His work in us
some mystical ethereal experience but it is
really very practical and down to earth.
• He is always at work, always prompting to
keep us in the sphere where God and His
blessings are being released to us and in us
• THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE FLESH IN ITS’
PROPER PLACE IS TO KEEP THE HOLY SPIRIT IN
HIS PLACE. Ga. 5:17!!!
• The fight with the flesh is not ours—for we
cannot touch it—it is the Holy Spirit’s!
• The enemy is not concerned that you take a
particular ‘sin’ but only that you take a
particular ‘path’(act in your own strength).
• “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,”
Ep.4:30 grieve: to cause pain
• See pg.178
 Walking in the Spirit
Indwelling: Ep 1:13-14
Filling: Ep.5:18-19
Testing: 1 Pet.1:6
Resisting: Ja.4:7
Our Spirit Maturing: Col.1:29
God’s Spirit

Areas of our soul

ministry to others