Walking in the Spirit: What Happens After Salvation?
“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.
Blessings!
