WALKING BY THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)…10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The phrase Walk in the Spirit refers to lifestyle. In Biblical terms, to walk means to conduct oneself in a particular manner; pursue a particular course of life.
The Greek word “walk” is peripateo; it is a compound word that is made up of two words – peri means “about, concerning, around;” and the main verb pateo means “to tread, to walk along” – thus peripateo means “to stroll or walk about.”
This Greek term is used ninety-five times in the New Testament as a metaphor for “live,” as illustrated by Paul in Ephesians 2:10). As stated earlier, to “walk in the Spirit” is to live in complete submission to the control of God’s indwelling presence – “We are not to let sin reign in our mortal body that we should obey its lusts, and we are not to present our members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin instead, we are to present ourselves to God as being alive from dead works, and our members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom 6:12-13).
The figurative meaning of “walking” refers to conduct –
~As believers we are to conduct our life in the paths indicated by God (2 Kg 20:3).
~As sons/daughters of righteousness walk in the light, rather than walk in darkness (1 Jn 1:7).
~The sinners way of life is to walk according to the flesh (Rom 8:4; Eph 2:2; 1 Cor 3:3).
~But Believers are to…
•walk in Christ (Col 2:6 – that is our “position” in Christ)
•walk according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4 – according to His leading)
•walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16 – that is the realm in which we are to walk)
•walk in love (Rom 14:15; Eph 5:2; 2 Jn 1:6 – that is the essence of a godly walk)
•walk as children of light (Eph 5:8 – that is the sphere in which we are to walk)
•walk in good works (Eph 2:10 – our lives are to produce fruit)
•walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4 – we are to live in this new reality)
•walk in a way that pleases God (1 Th 4:1 – by obeying God we please Him)
•walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7 – we must trust God and walk accordingly)
•walk in the light and walk in the truth (1 Jn 1:7; 2 Jn 1:4; 3 Jn 1:3 – the whole way one lives proves fellowship with God – 1 Jn 1:6ff; 2:6)
•walk in a manner worthy of their calling (Eph 4:1; 1 Th 2:12; Col 1:10 – conduct your life in a way that corresponds with your holy calling)
