Walking in the Spirit

Being created in God's image is a profound truth often repeated in our churches today, but many struggle to grasp its full significance. Genesis 1:26 reminds us, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." This reflects not only our physical attributes but our spiritual nature, designed to mirror God. Just as God is a Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—we too are made as a "triune" being: spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Understanding Our Triune Nature

We are one person, yet we exist in these three parts. Our spirit is the part of us that connects with God on a supernatural level (John 4:24), our soul comprises our mind, will, and emotions, and our body is the physical vessel through which we navigate this world. The spirit is the seat of our relationship with God, the soul is the essence of our personality and consciousness, and the body is the temple (1 Corinthians 6:19) that houses both the spirit and soul while we fulfill our God-given assignment on earth.

The enemy, Satan, despises humanity because we remind him of God. 1 Peter 5:8 says he prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to destroy us. Yet, God's grace sustains us, even when we are unaware of the spiritual battles and legal transactions that occur in the unseen realms. Through Christ, we have victory (2 Corinthians 2:14).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Jesus said in John 16:7, "It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate [Holy Spirit] will not come to you." The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, sent to guide, empower, and fill us. Many Christians forget the vital role the Holy Spirit plays in our daily lives, often focusing their prayers solely on Jesus. While it’s not wrong to pray to Jesus, we must also remember that Jesus, during His earthly ministry, was empowered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18). Even at creation, the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2), preparing for the Word of God to bring the world into existence.

We must be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), for He is the one who communicates God’s will to us daily. Just as Jesus submitted to the Holy Spirit's leading, so must we (John 5:19). God the Father created us, Jesus redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit sanctifies and empowers us to live in the fullness of God’s will.

Walking in the Spirit

When man fell in the Garden of Eden, sin caused the body to take precedence, the soul was bound by sin, and the spirit was disconnected from God (Romans 5:12). But through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, our dead spirit is made alive again (Ephesians 2:1-5). Ezekiel 37 speaks of God breathing life into dry bones, symbolizing the restoration of our spirit when we come to faith in Christ.

God knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5). Our lives were written in His book, and He set us apart with a divine purpose. Our assignment on earth is part of God’s redemptive plan (Ephesians 2:10), and we are to walk in the Spirit to fulfill it. To do so, all three parts—spirit, soul, and body—must work in unison.

Walking in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to empower our human spirit to lead, rather than letting the body dominate (Galatians 5:16-17). When temptations arise, they first manifest in the spiritual realm before they appear in the physical. Therefore, our battle is spiritual, not physical (Ephesians 6:12).

Dunamis Power of the Holy Spirit

The Greek word "dunamis" (δύναμις), often translated as "power," refers to miraculous power, strength, and ability. This is the power Jesus promised in Acts 1:8 when He said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." Dunamis power is not just for miracles but for living a life of victory over sin and darkness. It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11), and it dwells in every believer.

When we walk in the Spirit, we access this dunamis power for healing, miracles, and spiritual breakthroughs (Mark 16:17-18). In Acts, we see the early church living out this reality, empowered by the Holy Spirit to do mighty works in Jesus' name.

Worshiping in Spirit and Truth

John 4:24 tells us that God desires worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. True worship engages our entire being—spirit, soul, and body. When we come before God, our spirit should lead, our soul should align, and our body should follow. Worshiping in the flesh alone is incomplete; it must begin in the spirit, where true connection with God happens.

Signs of Walking in the Spirit

The evidence of a life walking in the Spirit is seen in miracles, healings, and spiritual gifts like tongues (with interpretation), prophecies, and visions (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Revival is born from a church walking in the Spirit, where the Holy Spirit is given freedom to move beyond the confines of our theologies and traditions.

Conclusion

Let us commit to walking in the Spirit, recognizing that the Holy Spirit is with us now, here on earth, guiding us into all truth (John 16:13). Seek His direction in every decision, big or small, and trust that He will reveal the next step in God’s plan for your life. Until our assignment here is complete, and even into eternity, the Holy Spirit will continue to empower and guide us as we reign with Christ (Revelation 20:6).