Walk By The Spirit
Daily Rays of Hope #85
Walking by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
Based on Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
— Galatians 5:16, NIV
There is a daily war within us — a tension between our Spirit and our flesh. The flesh craves what is temporary, emotional, and self-centered. It urges us to react from hurt, to move based on feelings, and to choose what appears good in the moment. But the Spirit calls us higher. It leads us into wisdom, peace, and power beyond our natural understanding.
Galatians 5:16 gives us the key: “Walk by the Spirit.” This is not a one-time act but a moment-by-moment decision to follow God’s leading rather than our own instincts.
The Danger of Following Our Own Understanding
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us clearly:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
When we rely on our own insight, we walk by sight — which often leads to confusion, disappointment, and regret. But when we lean into God's wisdom, we receive guidance from the One who sees the end from the beginning.
Isaiah 55:8-9 affirms:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Even when things don’t make sense to us in the natural, God's Spirit leads us in ways that produce lasting fruit and align with His perfect will.
The Deceptive Nature of the Heart
The modern world says, “Follow your heart.” But the Word of God says otherwise.
Jeremiah 17:9 states plainly:
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Our emotions are valid, but they are not always truthful guides. Feelings change based on circumstance, mood, and perception. That’s why we are warned not to base our decisions on our flesh or our feelings, but instead to yield to the Spirit.
Romans 8:6 gives this powerful contrast:
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Walking in the Spirit doesn't just protect us from sin — it brings us into peace, purpose, and spiritual clarity. The Spirit aligns our hearts with heaven, purifies our desires, and gives us the strength to walk in obedience when it's hard.
Choosing the Spirit Daily
To walk by the Spirit means choosing God over our impulses, surrender over stubbornness, and truth over emotional distortion. It means silencing the noise of the world long enough to hear His voice whisper, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being surrendered. When we let the Spirit guide us, even our missteps become testimonies of grace. Our weaknesses become places where His power is perfected.
Three Ways to Seek God’s Will and Live This Scripture Daily:
1. Begin Each Day in Prayer and Surrender
Start your morning by asking, “Holy Spirit, lead me today. I yield my thoughts, emotions, and decisions to You.” Let prayer be your reset button — a daily alignment with heaven.
2. Test Every Impulse with the Word
When you're tempted to react emotionally or make a quick decision, pause and ask, “What does the Word say about this?” Let Scripture become your filter, shaping your response through truth rather than emotion.
3. Keep a Spirit-Led Journal
At the end of each day, reflect: Where did I follow the Spirit today? Where did I follow the flesh? Write down what you sensed God saying, what worked, and where you need growth. This practice builds discernment and spiritual awareness.
Final Encouragement
You don’t have to navigate life by your feelings or fears. You have the Spirit of God within you — the very breath of wisdom, power, and truth. As you choose to walk by the Spirit, step by step, day by day, you’ll find strength where you were once weak, clarity where there was confusion, and peace that passes all understanding. Let the Spirit lead — and watch your life bear the unmistakable fruit of God’s presence.