Walking in the Spirit: Feeding Our Spirit on God’s Word
I. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT: BEING PROACTIVE IN OUR WAR AGAINST LUST
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh…16 I
say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust (sinful desires) of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts
(wars) against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you
do not do the (holy) things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law…25 If
we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:13–18, 25)
A. In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul described the internal war that every believer faces, by giving us a command, “Walk in the
Spirit,” with a promise, “You shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Our “flesh” includes physical (pleasures) and emotional
(pride) desires.
B. We can only find liberty from sinful fleshly desires as we maintain a healthy vibrant relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Paul used three verbs to describe a dynamic interactive relationship with the Spirit. He called us to walk in the Spirit
(v. 16, 25), to be led by the Spirit (v. 18), and to live in or by the Spirit (v. 25).
C. We must be proactive in our relationship with the Spirit as the way to overcome our lusts.
1. To “walk” in the Spirit (v. 16) means to walk out our daily life by embracing what the Holy Spirit values and
refusing what the Holy Spirit is grieved by (Galatians 5:19-22).
2. To be “led” by the Spirit (v. 18) is to follow His leadership by being watchful of the Spirit’s promptings, especially
in our spiritual life (thoughts, words and deeds). We honor instead of ignore the Spirit’s leadership in the small
decisions of our spiritual life. For example, we cultivate an awareness of the Spirit’s leadership in what we say
(speech), what we look at (eyes), how much time we give to feed our spirit (schedule) and how we spend our finances
(money). In other words, how we develop the spirit of our mind.
3. To “live” in or by the Spirit (v. 25) is to be empowered (or given life) by being fed by the Spirit’s food which is
the Word of God. It matters how much time we give in our schedule to feed our spirit or in other words, it is how we
develop the spirit of our mind.
D. We are transformed by renewing the spirit of our mind as we feed our spirit on God’s Word. The Living Bible
translates this, “learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy.”
2 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (experience, openly display) what is
that good and acceptable (pleasing, NIV) and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)
23 Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and…put on the new man which was created according to
God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)
II. OUR INHERITANCE IS A FULLY ALIVE HEART AND MIND IN GOD
16 "This is the covenant (promise) that I will make with them… “I will put My laws (Word) into their hearts
(emotions) and in their minds (understanding) I will write them…" (Hebrews 10:16)
A. Mind: God promises to release the spirit of revelation to our mind until we progressively gain living understanding of
His Word. Heart: God promises to empower our emotions until we feel the power of His Word with new holy desires. God
promises to write His Word on our heart and mind (2 Corinthians 3:3) as He wrote the ten commandments on tablets of
stone (Exodus 31:18).
32 Did not our heart burn (with desire) within us…while He opened the Scriptures to us?…45 He opened
their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. (Luke 24:32, 45)
B. God writes His Word on our heart as we live by it. We are to live by or be spiritually healthy in our heart by feeding
on God’s Word. Our heart lives and becomes strong and healthy by feeding on God’s Word in spirit and truth. The opposite
is also true. Our heart dies and becomes weak and sick without feeding on God’s Word. The most substantial way in which
we feed our spirit and bolster our spiritual strength is by feeding on God’s Word in spirit and truth (each applies this
differently). Many are spiritually in the ICU with a sick heart and a diminished spiritual appetite.
4 He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4)
C. Prayer, fasting, meditation on the Word, and obedience positions our heart before God to freely receive. These
activities do not earn us God’s favor. Analogy: we put our cold heart before the bonfire of God’s presence by seeking Him
in the Word in spirit and truth. God opens His Word to us progressively (little portions) and in accordance to the time we
feed our spirit on His Word.
III. ENCOUNTERING GOD: PRAY-READING THE WORD (COMMUNING WITH THE WORD)
39 You search the Scriptures (Bible study), for in them you think you have…life; these are they which testify
of Me. 40 You are not willing to come to Me (dialogue) that you may have life. (John 5:39-40)
39 Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard (encountered) His word. (Luke 10:39)
A. It is not enough to study the Word, we must give our heart to God and receive from Him as we read it. We allow it to
create an active dialogue with God as it gives us the “conversational material.” We must actually speak the Word back to
God and against Satan’s attack on our lives. Many do not speak the Word back to God or against Satan (they only speak
it to others).
B. Two broad categories of truth related to pray-reading the Word (meditating on Scripture): First, Scriptures that focus
on exhorting us “to believe” God’s Word. For example, use Scriptures that declare that God loves, forgives, leads, protects,
or provides for us, etc. Second, Scriptures that focus on exhorting us “to obey” God’s Word. For example, use Scriptures
that command us to bridle our tongue, serve one another, humble ourselves, give time and money to Him, etc.
C. We actively dialogue with God by praying truths back to Him that exhort us “to believe” His Word. Spiritual warfare:
we speak these truths against Satan’s attack on our lives.
1. First, we thank God for a particular truth. We turn these truths into simple declarations of thanksgiving. For
example, we declare, “Thank you that You love me, have forgiven me, that I ravish Your heart (Song 4:9), along
with I trust You and Your Word (promises).”
2. Second, we ask God to reveal particular truths to us. We ask God to release a spirit of revelation to us
(Ephesians 1:17). For example, we say, “Father, reveal to me the certainty of Your provision, how much You love me,
forgive me, or how I have ravished Your heart. We ask God to release the promise that He desires to give us and that
we believe Him for.
D. We actively dialogue with God by praying truths back to Him that exhort us “to obey” His Word. Spiritual warfare: we
speak these truths against Satan’s attack on our lives.
1. First, we commit ourselves to obey God in the specific way set forth in a biblical person or passage. We make
simple declarations of our resolve to obey Jesus. For example, we declare, “I set my heart to love You and obey You
with my speech, time and money, etc. or, I set my heart to love you like David, endure hardship like Paul, pray like
Daniel or do miracles like the apostles in the Book of Acts.”
2. Second, we ask God to empower us to obey a particular truth. We ask God for help to obey in specific areas.
For example, we say, “Father help me to love You, to bridle my speech, or to use my time and money in full obedience.”
We may pray, “lead me away from temptation (Mt. 6:13) or deliver me from the works of the evil one” (John 17:15),
or, “Father, I so desire to love and obey You more, give me power to love you like David, endure hardship like Paul,
pray like Daniel or do miracles like the first apostles.”
E. Two ways to focus our mind in seeking God: God on His Throne (Revelation 4) and God in our spirit
14 …The love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14, NAS)
38 Out of his heart (belly, KJV) will flow rivers of living water… (John 7:38)
F. Linger in God’s presence: in dialoging with God in the Word. Take time to linger as you speak slowly to God
(include declaring your love and praise, praying with your spirit and being quiet).
G. Journaling: take time to record thoughts and prayers as you “pray-read” through Scripture. This helps us capture the
truths that the Spirit gives us and to grow in our prayer dialogue with God. The anointing of the Spirit in you is your best
teacher. When you pray the Word in spirit and truth, you and the Spirit work together to provide you with a tailor made
teaching in the Word.
27 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… (1 John 2:27)
IV. EXAMPLES OF PRAY-READING THE WORD
A. God promises to show His power to those who are loyal to Him. Pray: I thank You for desiring to show Yourself
strong in me, please release it. I set my heart to be loyal to the Holy Spirit’s leadership in all that I do with my speech, eyes,
actions, time and money and with my commitment to prayer with fasting (Sacred Trust). Release Your power to help me
walk this out.
9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of
those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
B. God promises to save or deliver those who lay aside filthiness as they meditate on His Word. Pray: I thank You for
desiring to deliver my soul from filthiness in me, please release it. I set my heart to lay aside all filthiness and to implant
your Word in my heart with meditation and meekness. Please help me to do this with consistency.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted
word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)
C. Jesus promises to reveal the Father’s personality to us as the way to impart love in us for God. Pray: I thank You
for desiring to reveal Your Father’s heart to me, please release it. I thank You for Your commitment to impart Divine love to
my heart, please release it. I set my heart to be filled with the knowledge of God and walk in love for You. Spirit, help me
do this consistently.
26 I (Jesus) have declared to them Your name (Father’s), and will declare it, that the love with which You
loved Me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:26)
D. Jesus promises to manifest God’s presence to those who obey His commandments. Pray: I thank You for desiring
to manifest Your presence to my heart, please release it. I set my heart to keep (obey) Your Word in my speech, time, money,
etc. Holy Spirit, help me to do this.
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved
by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him… (John 14:21)
E. We are called to obey the Holy Spirit’s leadership in our speech. God promises that our whole body (our humans
passions) will be bridled as we obey the Spirit in our speech. Pray: I set my heart to keep (obey) Your Word in my speech.
Holy Spirit, help me to do this with consistency.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may
impart grace to the hearers. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit…. (Ephesians 4:29-30)
2 If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body (human
passions)…6. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the
course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (James 3:2-6)
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may be blameless. (Philippians 2:14)
18 In everything give thanks…19 Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:18-19)