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LEARNING TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT
Quickening, revelation, confirmations, and God speaking in puzzles (knowing in part) are all important aspects of learning to walk in the Spirit. We can learn about these concepts, understand them and see them working. However, it is not until we experience them that we start to participate by walking in His Spirit. And it is only after we have experienced these things on a consistent basis for a period of time, do we really understand how to walk in the Spirit and how to live there as a life style.
Rom 8:1-8 NKJV
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 . 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit . 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Gal 5:16-18 NKJV
I say then: Walk in the Spirit , and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal 5:24 NKJV
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
As human beings, it is hard to understand what it really means to walk in the Spirit, and as the scripture says above, they are contrary to one another. I would like to explain this by way of a revelation the Lord showed me.
The disciples were human beings in the flesh and they walked with Jesus Who walked in a human body on earth. They saw Jesus every day; watched Him pray, watched Him do miracles and teach. They saw the fruit of His character and lifestyle. Even when they did not understand some things, they truly listened and really did know Him and His teachings. They also got to experience this when the Lord gave them power and authority to heal the sick and cast out devils. And that was pretty awesome. However, Jesus knew something was missing and it was an important part of their training.
Picture them being totally bonded to Jesus and all that He represented, when He said these Words:
John 16:5-8 NLT
"But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and none of you has asked me where I am going. Instead, you are very sad. But it is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Counselor won't come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you.
I am sure they scratched their heads, in the same way I do when I read that scripture. Who in their right mind wouldn’t rather have Jesus with them? Why is it better to have the Holy Spirit?
Now make the connection with this scripture:
Luke 17:20-21 NKJV
"The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
Do you see the connection? They walked with Jesus in full observation of Who He was and what He did. However they had yet to understand, realize and EXPERIENCE the Lord’s kingdom inside of them. The only way they could learn that was by way of Who they were focused upon and codependent with, to be out of the picture. The power of their flesh, what they saw with their natural eyes and ears encumbered them from entering into the secret kingdom that Jesus spoke of, and Jesus walked in. Here Jesus’ death ripped all the veils away and He made it possible to truly hear and see and know God. But Jesus had to leave for them to find it. What Jesus wanted for them was to learn how to walk in the Spirit and to know God’s kingdom within them.
Have you ever wanted a popular spiritual leader to personally mentor you, call you on the phone and teach you face to face? How often does the Lord answer that prayer? (Smile) If He did that for you, your focus would be on the person and his teachings. Have you ever desired a really good friend or group of people to walk with in the Lord with whom you are equally yoked? These gifts are wonderful helps and add strength to your soul and comfort so that you don’t feel so alone. However, this way of teaching from the Lord, and also focus would not be taking you deeper into communing with the Holy Spirit in a quiet, intimate walk of hearing and seeing the realm of the Spirit which is without observation.
1 John 2:27 NKJV
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
Matt 16:17-18 NLT
Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.
When what you see in the natural is taken away, it is as though a stripping takes place and you come into a different world. The more you commune with the Lord, Whom you can not see in the natural, the more you learn to commune with Him through the Holy Spirit.
He speaks His living Words of what is quickened. He takes the veil away and suddenly reveals His truth, which is the experience of revelation. He brings you personal confirmations showing that He is very aware of your thoughts, deeds, and needs. He speaks His Words in parts and pieces from many aspects of living and they float around inside of you until He brings the whole puzzle together with joy. He surrounds you with those rich experiences and the more you have, the more you learn how to walk in His Spirit.
None of these experiences can happen in the flesh, where you can “make” them happen. Each one of them is a gift from the Holy Spirit. We may live our entire Christian life and have these experiences from time to time, but not recognize them as a vital and important part of intimacy with Him.
Each one of them is learning HOW the Holy Spirit communes with us, speaks to us, and walks with us. The more we become acquainted with recognizing the experiences of quickening, revelation, confirmations, and God puzzles, the easier it is to hear Him and walk with Him. This precious relationship happens on the inside of us.
John 14:26 NKJV
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The next lesson is on cultivating the climate, the kind of life style and habits that are needed to learn how to hear the Lord and see what He is doing. It is all a part of cultivating a walk in the Spirit.
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