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As a diligent student of the Bible, you will want to make sure the Bible really says what this study says.  Always remember to test all things with God's word - as the Bereans did.  They "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). 

First, read the study all the way through, without looking up the Scriptures.  Then read the study again, this time looking up the Scriptures.  Highlight or mark each verse you look up so you can easily find it later.

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It is common for people to be confused by the expression, "Walk in the Spirit."  Let us analyze what it means to walk in the Spirit.

The Bible says that if we live to the flesh, we will die (Rom. 8:13).  Living to the flesh is practicing the evil deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21; Matt. 15:19; Rev. 21:8).  When we are baptized, we agree not to live in the flesh or live for self any longer, but to repent and start living for God by living to the Spirit.  God is that Spirit, and He wants to be worshiped in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

If we perform only God’s Will in our daily walk with God, we will not carry out the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16).  If we carry out the desires of the flesh, that is sin (1 Peter 4:1-2).  But if we keep God’s Will, we overcome evil by doing good works (Rom. 12:21).  If we are zealous for good works, we leave no room for our old selfish will to operate (1 Peter 3:13).  Thus, we are putting to death the sinful deeds of the body by living to the Spirit, which is living for God (Rom. 8:13).

God wants us to consider ourselves as dead to sin but alive to righteousness, by presenting our bodies as slaves to righteousness daily (Rom. 6:11; 1 John 3:7).  We prove whose side we are on when we live as slaves to Jesus Christ (1 John 3:10).  We continue doing this until we pass the hypocritical stage of the Pharisees and begin doing the Will of God gladly from the heart (Matt. 5:20; Eph. 6:6).

God is glorified by good works (Matt. 5:16).  We are admonished to be sure to engage in good works and to learn righteousness because this is how we walk in the Spirit (Titus 3:8, 14).  Salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned, but it only goes to those who are repentant and live to serve others for the glory of God.  Remember always, you were saved to serve.

(Feel free to give copies of this study to others who want to know God’s truth.   You will be doing God’s Will when you show and tell others how to live this special Way.)      

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