Many of us can identify with the dilemma described by Paul in this passage (Gal. 5:17). God's Spirit in us intensely desires holiness, but the lusts of the flesh pull us in the opposite direction, producing spiritual paralysis. The solution, Paul tells us, is to "walk in the Spirit" - but what does that mean in everyday life?
Part of the answer can be found in the Book of Amos, where the prophet asks, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) The answer, of course, is no. If we want to walk in the Spirit, we must daily choose to live in agreement with Him. Since He is God and does not change, this means that we must change, and be conformed to his way of thinking in every situation. The Holy Spirit may convict us of some wrong thought, attitude, or choice that we think is insignificant, but if we fail to hearken, we will soon find ourselves losing ground in every area. On the other hand, if we quickly agree with Him and repent, we will be cleansed, changed, and strengthened for the battles yet to come (1 John 1:7).
The Bible tells us to resist the devil, but that command comes with a context: "… God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:6-7). Walking in the Spirit requires complete submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. By following Him as our one and only Master, we can escape the domination of our own lusts through the power of the Holy Spirit.
All Scripture references from KJV. Commentary ©2012 Hitchcock Family Ministry. Unaltered text may be reproduced freely without financial gain. Original commentary and Scripture song available at http://www.freescripturesongs.org/this-i-say-then-walk-in-the-Spirit.