Galatians 5:16

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Walking in the Spirit – Living one’s life in the power of the Spirit, while being guided by the Spirit – SFLB

“A spiritual man is not a man born again, but a man born again and walking in alignment.” Watchman Nee

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself, sanctify you completely: and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is Three in One and we are made in His image. We are spirit, soul, and body.

1. Our spirit – once dead in sin, now alive in Christ, able to hear the Voice of God, the dwelling place of Christ in us by the Holy Spirit.

2. Our soul – our mind (how we think), our emotions (how we feel), our will (How we choose).

3. Our Body – our flesh and blood physical body

Walking in the Spirit is walking in submission to our spirit under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

What does it mean to be in alignment?

1. Our body in submission to our soul.

2. Our soul in submission to our spirit.

3. Our spirit in total submission to the Holy Spirit of God.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

Walking in the Spirit is the process of sanctification.

1. Our spirit – Justification – our past

2. Our soul – Sanctification – our present

3. Our body – Glorification – our future

Galatians 5:19-21a

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Why is it important to Walk in the Spirit?

1. WE CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD

John 10:27

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

We were created to hear God’s Voice through our spirit.

“If we are walking in the flesh, ruled by our soul, what God is saying to us must first filter through the thoughts, imaginations, and confusion of our mind; through the pain, brokenness, anger, and resentments in our emotions; through the pressure of the choices, we have made.” Cleansing Stream

“The clarity of His Voice gets lost in all the elements of our soul, and God’s direction for our lives is weakened or lost.” Cleansing Stream

2. SPIRITUAL PROTECTION

A. Proper alignment brings protection under the power of the blood of Jesus.

Isaiah 43:1

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

Isaiah 43:2-3a

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

“God promises us protection, but we must be walking in the Spirit to take full advantage of the covering of the blood of Jesus.” Cleansing Stream

B. Proper alignment protects our soul from the deceptions, confusion, and the onslaught of Hell.

3. FULFILL GOD’S DESTINY

A. Proper alignment helps us to hear God’s voice and then walk in His plans and purposes for our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

B. Walking in Alignment moves us from self-focus to Christ focus.

C. Walking in alignment moves us from being led by our soul to being led by the Holy Spirit.