“So—you’ve received the Holy Spirit—amazing—praise God! But what does that mean for your everyday life? This article unpacks the functions of the Spirit and how to live empowered by Him. Therefore, this article takes a close look at Walking in the Spirit: What Happens After Salvation?
The Need to Walk in the Spirit
In the article, “All About The Holy Spirit,” I talked about how we receive the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as Lord and Savior according to Ephesians 1:12-13. Let’s take a quick look at that:
12. that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
13. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, NKJV
As I mentioned the last time, by default, we are walking in the lust of our flesh. We are born with a sinful nature and a spirit of disobedience handed down to us by our parents, Adam and Eve. As the Scripture tells us in Ephesians 2:2 in part, “according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” This prince is Satan himself. His influence is the power of the air—for now, and it is this spirit that works in us, causing us to be disobedient to God. We don’t have to look very hard to see the evidence of this spirit at work. We need to go no further than our televisions! When individuals say, “I was born this way,” they are telling the truth. But that’s not an excuse because there is a solution—right in the Scriptures. Let’s look at what it says in Gal. 5:16
16. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. NKJV
This verse highlights that following the Holy Spirit helps believers resist sinful desires.
Once we have the seal of the Holy Spirit—identified by it, and are empowered by it, [very important to be empowered], a transformation takes place, and that becomes the Spirit that works in us. Then, as the Scripture reassures us, if we “walk in the Spirit,” we “shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
That raises a critical question: What does it really mean to walk in the Spirit?
What Does Walking in the Spirit Mean?
To answer that, let’s start with the word “walk.” In Scripture, walking often represents our way of life. To walk in the Scriptures figuratively signifies life or living. The Greek word translated as walk is peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh’-o). Let’s look at this:
This definition is from the Strong’s Concordance.
NT:4043 peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh’-o); from NT:4012 and NT:3961; to tread all around, i.e., walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport [transfer] oneself, follow (as a companion or votary):
KJV – go, be occupied with, walk (about). So we see the meaning “be occupied with”—to be occupied with the Spirit.
To walk in the Spirit is to live in the Spirit—be guided by the Spirit. We must follow the Holy Spirit’s leading—be led by the Holy Spirit, which keeps us from fulfilling the lust of our flesh.
The Fruit of the Spirit
Now the question becomes, what happens when we walk in the Spirit? What is it like to walk in the Spirit, and how do we know that we’re walking in the Spirit?
Well, the Scripture has the answer to those questions found in Gal. 5:22-23. Let’s take a look.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23. gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. NKJV
Here again Scripture uses figurative language: fruit represents the visible result of the Spirit’s presence in our lives. The Scripture mentions the “fruit” of the Spirit. Fruit in this context represents a result. When a seed is fully ripened or mature, the result is a fruit. When the Holy Spirit is ripened in us, the result is fruit—Spiritual fruit. “Fruit” is considered a by-product that develops over time and necessitates careful attention and cultivation.
Now, let’s examine this fruit. There are nine ingredients in the fruit, which fall into groupings. The first three are internal and can come from God alone.
The first ingredient is” love.” This love is not the superficial love based solely on feelings. This love is an unconditional love—exemplified by God sending his Son to save sinners (Romans 5:5), and by the selfless and constant care of Jesus.
Love serves as the foundation for all the other fruit ingredients listed. Without love, all of the other ingredients of the fruit are simply meaningless—they are spiritually counterfeit. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” NKJV
The next ingredient is “joy.” This inner joy persists regardless of circumstances. Unlike happiness, it endures through unhappiness, providing deep satisfaction even in difficult times. The connection with God through Christ remains constant, even during life’s challenges. Happiness is based strictly on feelings. When we’re feeling good, we’re happy. But when we’re not feeling good, we’re not so happy.
But when we have joy, we are fulfilled even as the world around us is crumbling.
The next ingredient is “peace.” This ingredient fosters a sense of calm trust in God’s control and justice, especially during difficult times, and reflects the belief that it is not we, but God, who governs all; God is in control. This peace is a peace that only Christ and the Holy Spirit can give us.
Let’s look at what Jesus said about it in John 14:27
27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The world can’t give us peace or joy, for that matter. Only the Spirit of God can give us true peace, and there is nothing like it. As Paul wrote to the Philippians in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The world doesn’t understand it, and neither can it supply it.
So, we’ve covered the first three ingredients. The next three ingredients relate to each Christian’s relationships with others:
The next ingredient is “Longsuffering” (patience). This ingredient gives us forbearance and fortitude, which enables us to patiently endure individuals who continually irritate us. It also enables us to be more patient with life’s circumstances in general. It helps us to, as the expression says—don’t sweat the small stuff! The Holy Spirit’s work in us can make the big stuff become small stuff, leading us not to sweat it, and increasing our endurance.
The next ingredient is “kindness.” Kindness means taking action to help others, just as God did for us, by meeting their needs practically and pragmatically.
The next ingredient is “goodness.” Goodness is exemplified by actions intended to benefit others, regardless of their actions or perceived merit. Rather than responding negatively to wrongdoing, it involves refraining from retaliation and choosing constructive responses. When we have goodness, we always look for good in a situation. It’s there, and the Holy Spirit attunes us to look for the good and make the best of it. It helps us to, as the expression goes, if someone hands you a lemon, make lemonade!
Now, as we reflect on these qualities—patience, kindness, and goodness—we see that they are not simply abstract virtues, but tangible evidence of the Spirit at work in our character and conduct. They transform our daily interactions, guiding us to respond to frustration with patience, to reach out to those in need with kindness, and to seek the good in every circumstance. Such fruit cannot be manufactured by sheer willpower; it is cultivated as we surrender more fully to the Spirit’s leading. Walking in the Spirit!
The remaining ingredients round out this spiritual portrait and present more general character traits that should guide a Christian’s life:
The next ingredient is “Faithfulness.” This ingredient embodies qualities of steadfastness and reliability, illustrating a consistent and dependable commitment that emulates God’s unwavering commitment to us. A Christian should be reliable and trustworthy, speaking the truth. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. NKJV, and we know who that is!
The next ingredient is “Gentleness.” Gentleness is strength under control. It gives one the ability to respond to others with humility rather than harshness. An individual who exercises gentleness is humble, considerate of others, and submissive to God and His Word. Even when anger is the appropriate response, as when Jesus cleared the temple, gentleness keeps the expression of anger on the right track. Gentleness even correctly applies force. It allows us to apply strength with precision and restraint, exactly as needed.
The last ingredient is “self-control.” Self-control empowers us to resist our impulses and live disciplined lives that are pleasing to God.
The management of personal desires and the exercise of restraint are critical components of individual growth. Ironically, unregulated desires that seem to promise satisfaction and empowerment may ultimately undermine self-reliance. By choosing to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we may initially experience a diminished sense of self-sufficiency or independence. On the other hand, this approach can expedite the development of self-control more effectively than relying solely on one’s personal efforts.
For example, imagine someone who struggles with impatience in daily life—perhaps they become frustrated during a long wait in traffic or when a colleague is slow to respond. They may initially feel that expressing their frustration is the best course of action.
But rather than allowing irritation to dictate their reaction, they can pause, turn inward, and ask the Holy Spirit for patience and self-control. Over time, rather than simply forcing themselves to remain calm, they will discover an inner reservoir of peace taking root. This calmness would not have been possible by willpower alone. This outcome illustrates how surrendering to the Spirit’s guidance can foster genuine transformation and proficiency or control over one’s impulses. Reacting to our impulses may offer short-term relief, but can hurt us in the long run, making us poor representatives of Christ and taking us out of God’s favor.
All nine ingredients of the Fruit of the Spirit have been covered. It is important to note that “Fruit,” however, is singular, indicating that all the ingredients exist as a unit, as opposed to many different pieces of fruit, and that all of them are imperative to all Christians. We can’t exhibit one or two virtues and call ourselves Christians; alternatively, we are to exhibit all of the fruit of the Spirit.
Think of it as a cake. You can’t have a cake with just flour, or only eggs, or even eggs and flour. It requires sugar, milk, and flavoring—a host of ingredients to make a complete, wholesome, and tasty cake. And so it is with a Christian. Just like a cake is incomplete with missing ingredients, so too is a believer who lacks one or more aspects of the Spirit’s fruit. We need the full recipe. We need all the ingredients of the Spirit to be fit for the Kingdom of God.
All these ingredients form the tapestry of the “fruit” of the Spirit: a singular, unified work that shapes us into the likeness of Christ.
Individuals demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit not through personal effort, but as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit sets Christians apart from a godless, evil world, reveals a power within them, and helps them become more Christ-like in their daily lives.
This transformation is the result of walking in the Spirit—we become more like Christ as the days pass.
So after we accept Christ and receive the Spirit, we must “walk” in it. Walk is a verb—a word of action.
Let’s take another look at Galatians 5:16:
16. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
In order not to fulfill the lust of the flesh, we must “walk in the Spirit.” That means if we’re not walking in the Spirit—being led by the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit —we’re walking in the flesh. That means we are fulfilling our base desires, doing whatever our flesh—our sinful nature, leads us to do.
The Spirit vs the Flesh
Let’s look at verse 17:
17. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. NKJV
Now here is where the rubber meets the road. When the flesh wars against the Spirit.
This verse discusses the spiritual condition of two opposing influences within Christians—the Holy Spirit and what is referred to as the sinful nature, understood as desires or inclinations associated with human tendencies (see also 5:16, 19, 24). According to the text, these forces are not considered equal, with the Holy Spirit described as significantly stronger, as it states, “so that you do not the things that you wish.“ The Holy Spirit prevents us from doing what we may wish—if we listen to it and obey it.
These two verses together suggest that relying solely on our own personal judgment may lead to poor decisions, and that attempts to follow spiritual guidance through individual effort alone are insufficient. They advise that overcoming these internal conflicts is possible through the assistance of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:9; Eph. 4:23-24; Colossians 3:3-8).
Let’s look at verse 18:
18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. NKJV
This Scripture counters the idea of legalism and brings to mind another passage of Scripture in 1 Timothy 1:9-10, which says:
9. knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10. for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, NKJV
The point? The Law is for sinners, but if we are walking in the Spirit, we are not under this Law; it doesn’t pertain to us. We are free from the curse of the Law because if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
The Law condemns and convicts, it does not give the power to obey, but praise God because His Word says in Rom. 8:1, “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.” NO CONDEMNATION!
Verses 19-21 give us details of the works of the flesh:
19. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20. idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21. envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. NKJV
This passage repeats the sins mentioned in 1st Timothy, as well as in other passages. It also states the demise of those who are walking on this side of the equation: “they will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Because of time, I’m not going to elaborate on the works of the flesh as I did the fruit of the Spirit. They are also fairly self-explanatory, anyway.
Now, I would like to direct your attention to verse 17 again. It states, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another,” Now what I want you to notice and pay close attention to is that these and only these are the two forces that exist to humanity: the flesh (the sinful nature), and the Spirit.
There is no third force; there is no in between. Understand that we are either walking in the Spirit or we are walking in the flesh. A faithful Christian is not walking in the Spirit on the day of worship, and walking in the flesh the rest of the week. Walking in the Spirit is not a part-time job, and attaining the fruit of the Spirit is not a one-day affair, but a 24/7 365 day affair.
Jesus made this very clear in Matthew 6:24: NKJV
24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
There are only two, and we can only serve one, while despising the other. We cannot serve God and the world—walking in our flesh.
As we have seen in Scripture, those who walk in the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom of God. So let us not be deceived into thinking that once we are saved, we will always be saved. If an individual chooses to remain or return to walking in the flesh, that individual is lost—unless they repent.
Anyone who thinks they can live a life of compromise between these two forces is only fooling themselves.
As Jesus said in Matt. 12:30, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” The fact of the matter is, it is impossible to be neutral about Christ. Anyone who is not actively following him has chosen to reject him.
As Paul wrote in Rom. 8:9, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” NKJV
Any person who tries to remain neutral in the struggle of good against evil is choosing to be separated from God, who alone is good. To refuse to follow Christ is to choose to be on Satan’s team. After all, we are born with his spirit.
Therefore, as the Scripture tells us in Rom. 8:8, “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” So if we want to have a relationship with God and continue to please Him, we must walk in the Spirit.
It is Satan’s job to make sure that we “walk in the flesh”—that he will remain and always be the master that we serve.
From the time we accept Christ, he will be nipping at our heels. Therefore, we must be cautious and exercise wisdom, for the Scripture warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV, which says, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
But praise God—we are not alone in this walk. He has given us His Spirit to guide us, empower us, and complete the work He began in us.
But the choice is ours. We must make up our minds—are we going to walk in the Spirit or are we going to walk in the flesh—amen!
Please feel free to leave any questions, comments, or concerns below.
For a short and full YouTube video on this topic, click below.
Blessings!
Walking in the Spirit truly is a daily choice, and I love how you point out that it’s not just a Sunday activity or a “when it’s convenient” mindset. The analogy of the fruit being like a full recipe really hit home for me — every ingredient matters, and they all work together to shape us into Christ’s likeness.
One point that really stood out was the reminder that the Holy Spirit empowers us — it’s not just about behavior modification or willpower. That’s such a freeing truth! Instead of striving in our own strength, we can surrender and let the Spirit do the work in us.
Are there any particular scriptures you return to when the “flesh vs Spirit” battle feels especially strong? Let’s encourage one another to keep walking in the Spirit — every single day.
Blessings to all who are seeking to walk this path faithfully!
Actually Romans Chapter 8 in its entirety addresses the Spirit and its power. It’s one of my favorites!
Thanks for commenting!
Such a clear and encouraging look at life after salvation—moving from a moment of grace to a Spirit-led daily walk. I appreciate how you emphasize surrender, Scripture, and community, and how the Fruit of the Spirit becomes evidence of transformation rather than a checklist. Your reminder that repentance restores relationship, not “re-earning” salvation, is especially freeing. For someone new to the faith, which one daily practice would you start with to cultivate walking in the Spirit?
Greetings, Leahrae – The one daily practice to start with is prayer. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you so that His fruit will be evidenced in you. And by all means, listen to His quiet voice within you and obey it.
Thanks for commenting, Leahrae
This article is such a powerful reminder that salvation is just the beginning of our journey, not the end. I love how you explained that walking in the Spirit is not a part-time role, but a daily, moment-by-moment choice. The way you broke down the fruit of the Spirit made it so clear that these are not just ‘nice virtues’ but evidence of God’s transforming work in us. It challenges me to look honestly at my own walk and ask: am I being led by the Spirit, or am I slipping back into the flesh? Thank you for this clear, scripture-rich teaching that points us back to the heart of our faith: living fully surrendered to Him every single day.
Amen! Thank you for commenting, Abby!
It does serve to remind us that Salvation is not the finish line, but rather the starting point in our long journey with Christ. I really appreciate your descriptions that the walk in Spirit is an everyday and deliberate decision affecting every other area of life. The fruit of Spirit is, therefore, not “good character,” but real evidence that God is, in fact, changing us from the inside out.
Amen, Israel – Thanks for commenting!
I really appreciate how you broke down each of the nine fruit of the Spirit and showed how they work together as one unified “fruit” in our lives. It’s such a powerful reminder that we can’t pick and choose which ones to develop; we need the whole “recipe” to reflect Christ fully.
I agree that this is an area where many of us Christians struggle, because even though we love Jesus deeply, we still wrestle with the desires of the flesh. It truly takes daily discipline, humility, and a surrendered heart to let the Holy Spirit lead us instead of reacting in our own strength.
What encouragement or practical steps would you give to a believer who genuinely loves the Lord but often finds themselves falling short in one or more of these areas?
Greetings, Alyssa – The first principal step I would suggest is prayer. We must pray daily for the Spirit to lead us in our lives. The second step is to listen and yield to His voice. It is that quiet voice in our minds that will make us more like Christ if we listen to it. But it is always our choice as to whether we yield or not. It is the only way to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.
Thanks for commenting!
Salvation is a gift freely given by God to unworthy sinners. That is the greatest gift ever given, God himself took on the robe of flesh and walked in this sinfull world just to be tortured and die and then to be raised again to the fullness of life to beat sin, hell and the grave! Praise God!! We are so undeserving but he loves us so much.
He sends the Holy spirit to live in each one of us that are saved. The holy spirit brings with him the fruit. We just have to allow it to take hold and push the sinful junk away. Are we going to fail sometimes, yes we are, but praise God we can ask for forgiveness and try to not do it again!
I always start my day with a morning prayer time and devotional as I have my coffee. It is quiet and peaceful and just me and God! What better way to start the day.
Do you have more of these wonder messages?
Amen, William! You start the day the right way! There are more articles on the website and you can catch me on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/@thechristianadvocate
Thanks for commenting!
Salvation is a gift freely given by God to unworthy sinners. That is the greatest gift ever given, God himself took on the robe of flesh and walked in this sinfull world just to be tortured and die and then to be raised again to the fullness of life to beat sin, hell and the grave! Praise God!! We are so undeserving but he loves us so much.
He sends the Holy spirit to live in each one of us that are saved. The holy spirit brings with him the fruit. We just have to allow it to take hold and push the sinful junk away. Are we going to fail sometimes, yes we are, but praise God we can ask for forgiveness and try to not do it again!
I always start my day with a morning prayer time and devotional as I have my coffee. It is quiet and peaceful and just me and God! What better way to start the day.
Do you have more of these wonder messages?
Amen, beautifully said! ???? You’ve captured the heart of the gospel so well. And I agree — beginning the day with prayer and devotion is such a wonderful way to walk in the Spirit. Yes, I do share more encouragements and teachings like this — it’s something God has laid on my heart to continue. You’ll find more as you engage with my posts here. Praise God for the way He’s working in your life!
Thanks for commenting, Neal!
Powerful and convicting message! I really appreciate how clearly you explained that walking in the Spirit is not a part-time calling but a 24/7 commitment. The cake analogy for the fruit of the Spirit was especially memorable—it really drives home the point that all the ingredients are essential, not optional.Question: In your experience, what’s the most effective daily habit or practice to help someone stay consistently in step with the Spirit when life’s pressures try to pull them back toward the flesh?
Hi Jenny, the most effective daily habit to stay in step with the Spirit is prayer. We should pray daily for the Spirit to lead us and make us more like Christ. It is the only effective spiritual weapon we have in the battle that confronts us.
Thanks for commenting, Jenny!
The article “Walking In The Spirit: What Happens After Salvation?” offers a clear and encouraging theological perspective on Christian sanctification. It effectively explains that “walking in the Spirit” is an active, daily process of surrender and not a passive event. The breakdown of the “Fruit of the Spirit” as a singular, unified work is a strong point, as it helps readers understand that these virtues are interconnected and not a checklist of individual traits. The emphasis that this transformation is a result of the Spirit’s power rather than human willpower is a critical and biblically sound message that can be very freeing for believers.
Amen, Sean – Thanks for commenting!
Hi @Nathaniel—this was a powerful read. Thank you for explaining the journey after salvation with such clarity. I really appreciated your emphasis on ‘walking in the Spirit’ as a daily, intentional practice rather than a one-time event. I’ve heard the term often, but hadn’t considered it in that light. The idea of transformation through empowerment aligns closely with my own belief system—it’s a subtle but profound shift when we stop striving and start aligning with ourselves or a higher order.
Does walking in the Spirit always feel like progress, or—like many things in life—is it sometimes one step back, two steps forward?
MarkA
Hi Mark – For me, it’s two steps forward and one step back. The spirit revealed to me what was wrong in my life, and convicted me to overcome them one at a time. As I overcame one (two steps forward), I was convicted to overcome another (one step back) to work on. This process has continued throughout–a continuous process of growth. So it does feel like progress, but never arriving at perfection. But we must never stop striving for perfection, as Jesus said in Matt 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Christians, the followers of Jesus, can be perfect if their behavior is appropriate for their
level of maturity — perfect, yet with much room to grow.
Thanks for commenting, Mark!
Thank you for your detailed and indepth post on walking in the spirit.
You have gone to a lot of detail regarding this topic and I am impressed how much you have put into it.
Yes we all should be walking in the spirit daily and always put the lord before anything else in life. We live our lives to the fullest whenever we can and not in fear for we are protected by the almighty with a personal relationship to him and the faith we beleive to be righteous.
regards Helen.
Amen, Helen – Thanks for commenting!
Hello.
I just finished reading your article on “Walking in the Spirit” and had to reach out to thank you. It was such a great read! I especially loved the way you broke down the “fruit of the Spirit” into its individual components. The analogy you used was so clear and helpful – it really made the idea click for me, that all nine are meant to work together. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to improve one or two virtues, but you made it clear that this is a unified recipe for a reason.
I really enjoyed your argument about the spiritual warfare between the flesh and the Spirit. It’s a constant battle and it was so encouraging to read your reminder that the Spirit is the stronger force. Your passion for the subject really shines through and is truly inspiring.
I am curious to hear your thoughts on how a person can maintain a focus on the Spirit during particularly stressful or difficult days. Also, how have you personally found the most success in applying the principle of self-control in your own life?
Thank you again for this thoughtful and encouraging article. Blessings!
Warmly,
Mitia
Greetings, Mitia – I believe an individual can maintain focus during difficult times through prayer. We must pray for strength through the Spirit. As Paul said in 1 Thess 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” That doesn’t mean that we should be on our knees constantly, but we should have a perpetual attitude of prayer. This is the approach I use for maintaining self-control. However, during difficult and stressful times, being on our knees doesn’t hurt.
Be on the lookout for when I cover the battle between the flesh and the Spirit (Spiritual Warfare).
Thanks for commenting!
Hello, this is a wonderful article. It makes me think twice about my relationship with God. I was brn again into the Seventh Day Adventist Church because I agreed with their vegetarian life style. I do not keep completely to the vegetarian life and I do not entirely walk in the spirit. I have my doubts these days, I have felt Divine protection in my life on several occasions; close to death several times with motorcycle accident and being sent to hospital more than once hit by cars. I was in a coma for 2 days and I survived all of that. I know it was Divine protection that keeps me alive and healthy again. But I still have doubts about my spiritual health.
I guess I really need to learn to Walk In The Spirit again. I have felt the Holy Spirit in my life. I am sure I have. But have I? Did I just want to believe I truly received the Holy Spirit? I was reading the part about the fruits of the Spirit. I bet that was my problem. I never cultivated the Spiritual Fruit. I read that paragraph several times. THAT is what I have to learn to do. I have to commit myself to surrender to the Spirits’ power. Well, I could use the scripture and the community more for the support I can get there. OK, this comment is getting long so I better close for now. I will read this again and work on my Walk In The Spirit. MAC.
Greetings, Mac – I am glad to hear that the article has been a blessing to you and has led you to surrender to the Spirit. It is my sincere prayer that you will continue to seek and be led by the Spirit of God.
Thanks for commenting!
I really enjoyed the article for it is truly a life changing decision to make. Once we are saved, we have to work out our own salvation. I agree that once we are saved, we are not always saved. It is a work that we have to put in daily as you said 24/7/365 days. Being consistent and intentional in our daily walk will bring so much fruit. I see each person as a tree that must produce fruit – good fruit or bad fruit. Walking in the spirit brings forth good fruit. I love your cake analogy which drives the truth home. Doing a self evaluation on ourselves should bring up issues if we are not walking in the Spirit. Also walking in the Spirit is having a relationship with God and not just going to church on Sunday and being in the flesh on the weekdays. Thank you for enlightening us with your wisdom sharpened through the Holy Spirit. Continue encouraging your readers with the Word of God!
Greetings, Cydney – as my analogy of the cake blessed you, I was blessed by yours: “each person as a tree that must produce fruit – good fruit or bad fruit. That is such an accurate illustration. For sure, we must, as the Scripture reads in 2 Peter 1:10, “…make your calling and election sure”:… This is a daily process.
Thanks for commenting!
This was such a powerful breakdown of what it really means to “walk in the Spirit.” I especially appreciated how you explained the fruit of the Spirit as a singular whole, not separate virtues — the cake analogy made that really easy to picture!
One part that stood out to me was your reminder that this is a 24/7 journey, not something we can compartmentalize just for Sundays. It really challenges me to look at my own day-to-day habits and ask, “Am I walking in the Spirit here, or just following the flesh?”
I noticed you’ve also written about the Signs of the End Time — do you think understanding those warnings helps believers take the walk of the Spirit more seriously in their daily lives?
Blessings, and thank you for sharing this teaching!
Hi Kris – I am happy to know that the article has led you to monitor your life in relation to walking in the Spirit. I believe that understanding the end times can help us to walk in the Spirit and be prepared for what is on the horizon. But only if we take heed.
Thanks for commenting, Kris!
Walking in the spirit is so important. Many may call themselves “christians” but that has lost its meaning. Walking in the spirit and faith will never. Walking in the fruits of the holy spirit describes what walking in the spirit means. I once wrote about t his in my own blog. I’m happy to read something related and important!
Thanks for commenting, Linda!
What a powerful and thought-provoking message! Reading this reminded me of the turning point in my own walk after salvation—when I realized that saying “yes” to Christ was just the beginning, and that the real journey is learning to daily surrender and let the Holy Spirit lead. The way you explained “walking in the Spirit” as a lifestyle rather than a one-time choice really struck me, because it’s so easy to fall back into old habits if we aren’t intentional.
I especially appreciated how you broke down the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, and peace have been anchors for me during seasons when everything around me felt uncertain. I’ve experienced firsthand how joy can remain even when circumstances are difficult—it’s something deeper than fleeting happiness. That truth gave me comfort when my faith was tested.
Your analogy of the cake ingredients also really hit home. It’s true—we can’t pick and choose which virtues to live out; they all work together to reflect Christ. That challenged me to think about areas where I may be lacking and how I need to yield more to the Spirit so He can shape me.
Thank you for this reminder that walking in the Spirit is not part-time but an everyday commitment. It encouraged me to examine my own life and make sure I’m living in step with Him, not just on Sundays but in the quiet, ordinary moments too.
Would you like me to also draft a shorter version of this comment (3–4 sentences) that you could use if you want something more concise?
No, Jannette, this version is fine – Thanks for commenting!
This is an excellent deep dive into what it means to walk in the Spirit! I was born into a Christian household and I’ve never not believed, you know? But I didn’t fully EXPERIENCE the Holy Spirit and everything it has to offer until I was about 20 and some stuff started going down in my life. It was a long 2.5-year journey, and it was HARD, but I’m grateful for it because I learned SO much! I especially loved where you touched on joy and peace. This is what I struggled with a lot, but I truly learned the difference between happiness and joy. I also learned that you can feel pain and sorrow AND joy at the same time, and the ability to do so comes from Christ alone. I also got a solid lesson in peace, how only God can provide peace in times of intense turmoil. While I am now out of that situation, I hold onto what I learned about joy and peace, among other things. This post is a great reminder. I also appreciate that you reference multiple verses to illustrate your points. It can be too easy to get caught up in one or two verses and potentially misinterpret them or take the message out of context.
Greetings, Steph – I’m so glad that you have learned from your experiences instead of allowing them to beat you down. It is only the Holy Spirit that you found that strength. May you continue to do so as you go through life’s journeys.
Thanks for commenting!
That was a powerful read, thank you for laying it out so clearly. What hit me most was how you tied walking in the Spirit to everyday choices, not just Sunday faith but 24/7 faith. You’re right, there’s no neutral ground. We’re either walking in the flesh or walking in the Spirit, and the way you broke it down with Galatians 5 really drove that home.
I also appreciated how you unpacked the fruit of the Spirit one by one. It reminded me that love really is the foundation, and without it everything else falls flat. I’ve seen in my own life how patience and kindness don’t come from willpower, they come from surrendering to the Spirit day by day.
Thanks for this reminder that the walk is active, a verb, like you said. It’s not about perfection but direction, and staying surrendered so the Spirit shapes us more into Christ’s image. Grateful for the encouragement here. Keep shining the light!
Blessings,
Jason (Prepared and Redeemed)
Amen. Jason – Thanks for commenting!
This was such a deep and thought-provoking article—thank you for breaking down what walking in the Spirit really means, especially after salvation.
I appreciated the emphasis on how this isn’t just a one-time decision but a daily, intentional lifestyle. The comparison between the fruit of the Spirit and a full recipe really stood out to me—how each element works together to shape Christ-like character.
One thing I’ve been wrestling with personally is this: How do we practically “check ourselves” day to day to know if we’re truly walking in the Spirit—or slipping back into the flesh without realizing it?
Are there habits or signs we should watch for?
Also, I’d love to hear how others cultivate consistency. It’s easy to feel on fire after a powerful message or Bible study, but how do you sustain that spiritual walk in the middle of everyday pressures?
Thanks again for a rich, Scripture-backed reminder of what a Spirit-led life looks like. Looking forward to more!
Greetings, Raymond – When we are studying God’s Word and walking in the Spirit, the Spirit convicts us when we are slipping. If we listen to it and obey it, we will stay on track. The two (the Word and the Spirit) work hand in hand.
We must pray earnestly every day for the Spirit to guide us and keep us in God’s will. This will help us to sustain our walk. But the Word is the fertilizer, the Spirit is the power that fuels our growth.
Thanks as always for commenting!
This is an thorough, easily understand, inspirational article. “Walking in the Spirit” is a concept that has been central in my life for over 5 decades. I like you explanation of “walking”, but I must admit that I tend to think it more along the lines of “trying” in the Spirit. The fruits, at least in me, are not visible constantly or even daily despite concerning on the Spirit in my life. That concentration takes practice. Ignoring things that are not of the Spirit takes practice. Because life is fluid, the challenges of “walking” are continuous and novel. Your article lets readers know that the focus from worldly to the Spirit is possible, but requires focus and work. Too often, it is believed that the Spirit will simply “do it to us.” Walking or trying in the Spirit takes dedication, purpose and reflection. Thank you for this hopeful challenge.
Greetings, Anastazja – Well, walking in the Spirit is a trying experience, given all that goes on around us. Which is why we must pray earnestly for the leading and guiding of the Spirit. But we must not forget the Word. The Word is the fertilizer for our growth. The Spirit and the Word go hand in hand.
Thanks for commenting, Anastazja!