What is the difference between walking by the Spirit and walking in the flesh?

Walking by the Spirit is living under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, while walking in the flesh means living according to sinful desires and self centered instincts. Scripture teaches that believers are no longer ruled by the flesh but are empowered by the Spirit to live in obedience to Christ.

How do Christians walk by the Spirit in everyday life?

Christians walk by the Spirit through prayerful dependence, renewing their minds with Scripture, resisting sin, obeying God’s commands, and trusting the Spirit to produce fruit in their lives. This is a daily, moment by moment pursuit, not a one time decision.

Does walking by the Spirit mean Christians will be sinless?

No. Walking by the Spirit does not mean sinless perfection. It means a changed direction. Believers still struggle with sin, but they now fight sin by the power of the Spirit rather than being ruled by it.

What fruit is produced by walking by the Spirit?

Galatians 5:22–23 teaches that walking by the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. These fruits grow as believers abide in Christ and follow the Spirit’s leading.

Walking by the Spirit

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📅 December 14 Q&A

Walking by the Spirit

Q: What does it mean to walk by the Spirit and not the flesh?

Every Christian feels the tension between who we were before Christ and who we are now in Him. Paul describes this as a conflict between the flesh, our old sinful desires, and the Spirit, who gives us new life and empowers obedience. The Christian life is not lived in our own strength but through the Spirit who dwells within us.

So what does it practically mean to walk by the Spirit and not the flesh?

1. Walking by the Spirit begins with surrender, not striving

Paul writes, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Notice he does not tell us first to fight the flesh. He tells us first to walk by the Spirit.

This means daily humble dependence on God, not self effort or moral willpower. The Spirit leads, and we follow.

2. Walking by the Spirit means setting your mind on the things of God

Romans 8:5 tells us that those who walk by the Spirit “set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” This is intentional, not accidental.

filling our minds with Scripture
meditating on God’s truth
pursuing what pleases Christ
guarding our thoughts
rejecting influences that fuel sinful desires

Your direction follows your mindset.

3. Walking by the Spirit means saying no to the flesh

The flesh still tempts, but it no longer reigns. Romans 6:12 says, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.” By the Spirit’s power, believers put sin to death (Romans 8:13).

This means refusing to feed sinful desires, entertain sinful thoughts, or justify sinful actions. The Spirit enables us to say no where we once were powerless.

4. Walking by the Spirit means producing the fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 lists the Spirit’s fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.

These are not traits we manufacture. They grow when we abide in Christ (John 15:4–5). Fruit is evidence of life. A Spirit filled life produces Spirit formed fruit.

5. Walking by the Spirit is daily, step by step faithfulness

Paul writes, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). The Christian life is lived in steps, not leaps.

confessing sin quickly
obeying promptly
responding humbly
worshiping joyfully
depending prayerfully
repenting continually

Walking by the Spirit is not perfection, it is direction.

6. Walking by the Spirit keeps our confidence rooted in the gospel

The Spirit always leads us back to Christ, His finished work, His righteousness, and His grace. The flesh leads us toward self reliance, pride, fear, or shame. The Spirit leads us toward freedom, assurance, and worship.

The Christian life is Christ centered because the Spirit’s work is Christ exalting.

Friend, walking by the Spirit is not mystical or complicated. It is the normal joyful Christian life. It means depending on God, trusting His Word, resisting sin, and letting His Spirit transform you from the inside out.

Walk with Him today. He will guide you, strengthen you, and keep you.

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Dave Jenkins( Executive Director )

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.