Keeping in Step with the Holy Spirit

 

Keeping in step with the Holy Spirit!

What does this mean to us today as born-again Christians?

In our main verse, Galatians 5:25, the Amplified and the King James Bibles uses the term ‘walk’ by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 (AMP)

If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].

Galatians 5:25 (KJV)

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

The New International Version uses the term ‘keep in step’.

Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

And the New Living Translation uses the term ‘follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.’

Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Now, when we examine the original Greek text of this verse, we see that all these translations are in fact correct!

The Greek word used in all these English translations is ‘stoicheó’ (pron: stoy-kheh-o, Strong’s 4748) and its expanded meaning is: to be in rows (like marching), to walk in or by rule (in perfect alignment with).

‘Stoicheo’ comes from the Greek root word ‘stoixos’ and means a row, a line or a rank – properly walk in line, in strict accordance to or with a particular pace ("stride"); walk in cadence, "keep in step." (Strong’s 4748).

So, from this, it is quite clear to me that as a born again Christian, that as a person who has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, it is imperative that I live my life and walk my daily Christian walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit and in perfect unison with Him in order that my life may reflect Jesus and bring glory to Him alone!

Why is it so important for Christians to keep in step with the Holy Spirit?

The answer to this question is very simple, because Jesus did, and the Bible tells us to be imitators of Christ and He alone is the standard by which we should live by. It is important to remember here that Jesus is the Word.

John 1:14 (AMP)

And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).

Ephesians 5:1 (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

The Apostle Paul also tells us to imitate him as he imitates Christ!

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Jesus was in perfect unison with the Holy Spirit. He began His ministry on earth after being water baptised and being baptised with the Holy Spirit as a man. He was led by the Holy Spirit and this was pleasing to God.

Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

It is significant for us to note as born-again Christians that the first thing Jesus did after he was baptised in the Holy Spirit was to follow Him (The Holy Spirit) into the wilderness, to overcome temptation and to put the devil in his place by knowing the Word of God. We all know the way to overcome the devil’s temptation is by following Christ’s example……”it is written…..!” That’s right, by being filled with the Holy Spirit – by knowing the Bible – by being in step with the Holy Spirit – and by being obedient to and doers of the Word!

Mathew 4:4 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Matthew 4:7 (NIV)

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Matthew 4:10-11 (NIV)

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jesus walked with and lived his life on earth as a man led by and in step with the Holy Spirit and when He ascended into heaven, He told us that He would send the Holy Spirit from the Father to lead and guide us in all things and in all truth so that we can keep in step with Him and thus fulfil God’s will, plan and purpose for our lives.

John 14:26 (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

In the above verse Jesus tells His disciples that the Holy Spirit will, besides reminding them of everything He has said to them, will also teach them things – these are things that He wants them to know. For me this says very clearly that if I am not filled with the Holy Spirit and I am not living life in the Spirit, then I won’t be able to hear or know when He speaks to me, and I won’t know what He wants me to do!

When I think further about John 14:26 I am convinced that as a born-again Christian and because Jesus is the Word (John 1:14) it is imperative that I really know the Bible so that the Holy Spirit can remind me of everything that Jesus has already said because it is in the Word!

Everything that God wants for His children comes to us through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit! That’s why we need Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, because without Him we can do nothing, and it will be impossible to have a true relationship with our Father in Heaven. Jesus is the vine that sustains us, enables us and empowers us by the Holy Spirit! Jesus is supreme!

Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

John 15:5-8

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

So, we can now start to see just how important it is for us as born-again Christians to align ourselves with and to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Jesus has lots more to still tell His Church both corporately and as individual members. Without us being in step with the Holy Spirit it will be impossible for us to bear much fruit and thus proving ourselves to be true, born-again Christians – disciples of Jesus!

John 16:12-15 (NIV)

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

When we, as born-again Christians, are not walking in step with the Holy Spirit, we are walking in the dictates of the flesh which is sinful, and this is not pleasing to God!

Romans 8:5-8 (AMP)

5 For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. 6 Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; 7 the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.

As Christians, in order to appropriate the victory that Jesus gave us at the cross and in order for us to truly call Him Lord, it is imperative for us to walk in step with the Holy Spirit every second of every day. Even though we are saved we should not keep on willfully sinning!

Romans 6:1-2 (AMP)

What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow? 2 Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer?

Walking in step with the Holy Spirit also means that we must be obedient to the Word bearing in mind at all times that Jesus is the Word (John 1:14). Scripture commands that we be doers of the Word and not just readers, being obedient to the Lord in all things! When we do this, what we do WILL BE BLESSED!

Luke 6:14 (NIV)

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

James 1:22-25 (NIV)

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Luke 11:28 (NIV)

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Below, from Romans 8, is a list of the benefits we receive in living life in step with the Holy Spirit for those who are in Christ Jesus. These 'benefits' empower us to produce fruit in keeping with repentance! They strengthen us as individuals and also empower us help build up and help our brothers and sister in Christ so that we can all reach spiritual maturity and the Church can reach unity in the Spirit! 

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

This list is by no means exhaustive! I would encourage you to read and study the entire chapter for yourself - it will change your life!

• There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus – verse 1.

• The Holy Spirit gives us life and freedom in Christ Jesus – verse 2.

• The Holy Spirit enables us to live life in the Spirit and not according to the flesh (our sinful nature) – verses 3 and 4.

• The Holy Spirit allows us to set our minds on what God desires for us – verse 5.

• The Holy Spirit allows us to set our minds on life and peace in Christ Jesus – verse 6.

• The Holy Spirit allows us to be pleasing in the eyes of God – verse 8.

• If we do not have the Holy Spirit in us, then we do not belong to Christ – verse 9.

• The Holy Spirit gives life because of righteousness – verse 10.

• The Holy Spirit will raise us from the dead as He did for Jesus – verses 10 and 11.

• If we are led by the Holy Spirit, then we are truly children of God – verse 14.

• The Holy Spirit brings about our adoption to sonship – verse 15.

• The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God – verse 16.

• The Holy Spirit enables us to be heirs of God along with Jesus – verse 17.

• The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses – verse 26.

• The Holy Spirit intercedes for us – verses 26, 27.

• The Holy Spirit knows our hearts – verse 27.

• It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to conform to the image of Christ Jesus – verse 29.

Through the Holy Spirit we can overcome our present suffering and look forward to future glory in Christ Jesus – Romans 8:18-30.

The Holy Spirit will enable and empower you to overcome your present sufferings, trials and tribulations, (remember the words of Jesus in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world”) and lead you into the future glory that God intends for you.

Through the Holy Spirit we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus – Romans 8:31-39.

When we as Christians, are filled with the Holy Spirit and are obedient to His promptings and to God’s Word, we are overcomers! More than conquerors! For the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus, intercedes with God on our behalf which guarantees us victory in this world.

The Apostle Paul encourages us all to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and constantly guided by Him and to always give thanks to God in all things!

Ephesians 5:18-21 (AMP)

18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him. 19 Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, [offering praise by] singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Without walking in step with the Holy Spirit the Fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit will not be manifest in us and through us! Follow the way of love and eagerly desire all that the Holy Spirit has for us to the glory of Jesus!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would help me to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and to keep in step with Him, to dress in your full armour and to love my brothers and sisters in Christ as Jesus loves the Church!  Lord, let the fruit and gifts of the Spirit be manifest in me and through me that I may bring glory to Jesus here upon earth and for ever more! Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Last updated: 3 December 2022