“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25
If Jesus is your Lord, then you have the Holy Spirit living in you. But do you walk in step with Him? The original language in this verse pictures soldiers marching in line and lockstep with their leader. That’s how followers of Jesus are intended to live our lives – marching in line and lockstep with our leader, the Holy Spirit. He is to set our direction and our pace. When we walk in step with Him, we feel joy, satisfaction, and become very fruitful for the Lord.
Unfortunately, most Christians don’t walk in step with the Spirit. Many quench the Spirit, either by continuing to tolerate sin in their life (which radically opposes the Spirit’s leadership) or by simply ignoring the presence and promptings of the Holy Spirit. The more we do those things, the easier it is to keep doing them. If you can get past those two ways of stifling God’s influence, you will experience more of the Spirit’s power and leadership. This is wonderful, but do we truly walk in step with the Spirit?
As the Spirit leads your life, do you hesitate and hold back? Does the Spirit move far ahead of you because your fears (of failure, embarrassment, etc.) or your attachment to how things already are? Or, do you race ahead of the Spirit, because you’re so eager to do what He wants that you neglect to pray and listen for His guidance? Neither situation is ideal. Both can lead to disappointments, frustrations, and failures.
Take time to really reflect on where you are with regard to the Holy Spirit. How can you be more obedient when He prompts you to move? How can you still your racing mind and draw nearer to Him when you’re tempted to race ahead? It’s very important to get this right if you want to experience the full joy and fruitfulness the Spirit desires to give you as you #FollowJesus