Walking in the Flesh vs. Spirit

[VerticalReality]

How do you intepret the meaning of walking in the flesh versus walking in the Spirit? For example, do you think walking in the Spirit is more of a state of being or identity since we are now in Christ, or do you view walking in the Spirit as something that can come or go depending upon single acts committed?

Put differently, if you commit a single act of sin, e.g. lashing out in anger, would you say you are walking in the flesh and no longer in the Spirit? It seems these two thoughts are what I most commonly see.

[Indueseason]

Well Jesus lashed out in anger when He turned over the money tables in the temple, so it would depend why you were angry. We are not walking in the Spirit when we sin, for we will not sin when yielded to His Spirit. It is more to do with our mindset than it is to do with our sin. It is all about our focus and desire. When we sin, we've lost our focus (that being Christ) and we need to get into that mindset again.

blessings to you

[Kahtar]

I struggled understanding the difference for years. Finally one day as I was pondering it, the Spirit asked me how I walk in the flesh. The answer to that was simple enough. To walk in the flesh is to do the things the flesh desires, to 'obey' the flesh. And thus, to walk in the Spirit is the same, that is, to obey the leading of the Spirit.
So the difference is in who you are following, yourself, or the Holy Spirit. If you are doing what the Spirit says to do, you are walking in the Spirit. It is not some sort of mystical state of being, or state of mind.

[-SEEKING-]

So, when I have food because I'm hungry, am I being led by the flesh?

[Kahtar]

So, when I have food because I'm hungry, and I being led by the flesh?

Clearly, yes. Is it your flesh that seeks food or your spirit?

[Slug1]

So, when I have food because I'm hungry, am I being led by the flesh?

This is actually a strong point dude!!

Tell me if you agree with this... your "spirit" is in need of nourishment just as much as your flesh.

Do any of us truly "feed" our spirit as consistently as we feed our flesh?

By walking in the "spirit," does this feed our spirit?

Feeding the spirit is through that daily prayer and reading of the Bible as we draw close to God. Feeding the spirit is attending church, ministry work and fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Feeding the spirit is the actual resistance of feeding the flesh because feeding the flesh is NOT only about food. Pornography feeds the flesh, greed feeds the flesh, malice/anger/hate feeds the flesh and I can go on and on. These are all carnal desires that "feed" the flesh and when we walk in the "spirit", then we will not feed the flesh what destroys it spiritually. By NOT feeding the flesh means that you are NOT fulfilling the desires of the flesh.

To do this... deny the flesh, a person needs to walk in the spirit.

Gal 5:16 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.

Many seem to think that a person must FIRST stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh so they can THEN, walk in the spirit. That is backwards thinking because the scripture is clear... FIRST walk in the spirit and "then" a person will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

By doing that, you will starve the flesh of immorality and iniquity. The flesh struggles and is an overpowering force against us as we are in the spirit. That is why God ensures us and strengthens us through prayer and through the reading and understanding of the Word of God. He's provided the death of His very Son so that we are in victory... now it's about walking in that victory while still in the flesh and this is only possible when we read the Bible and apply ALL that God has provided for us to walk in that victory.

So many read the Bible for understanding God... there is so much more and through the APPLICATION of the scriptures into our lives, we will walk in the spirit and NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

[VerticalReality]

Well Jesus lashed out in anger when He turned over the money tables in the temple, so it would depend why you were angry. We are not walking in the Spirit when we sin, for we will not sin when yielded to His Spirit. It is more to do with our mindset than it is to do with our sin. It is all about our focus and desire. When we sin, we've lost our focus (that being Christ) and we need to get into that mindset again.

blessings to you

Yes, I was referring more toward sinfully lashing out in anger. I should have been more clear.

[VerticalReality]

I struggled understanding the difference for years. Finally one day as I was pondering it, the Spirit asked me how I walk in the flesh. The answer to that was simple enough. To walk in the flesh is to do the things the flesh desires, to 'obey' the flesh. And thus, to walk in the Spirit is the same, that is, to obey the leading of the Spirit.
So the difference is in who you are following, yourself, or the Holy Spirit. If you are doing what the Spirit says to do, you are walking in the Spirit. It is not some sort of mystical state of being, or state of mind.

Your interpretation is how I would understand it as well; however, I have seen the alternative point of view mentioned quite a bit, also. I thought I would present them with the opportunity to explain how they see things.

[Realist1981]

This is actually a strong point dude!!

Tell me if you agree with this... your "spirit" is in need of nourishment just as much as your flesh.

Do any of us truly "feed" our spirit as consistently as we feed our flesh?

By walking in the "spirit," does this feed our spirit?

Feeding the spirit is through that daily prayer and reading of the Bible as we draw close to God. Feeding the spirit is attending church, ministry work and fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Feeding the spirit is the actual resistance of feeding the flesh because feeding the flesh is NOT only about food. Pornography feeds the flesh, greed feeds the flesh, malice/anger/hate feeds the flesh and I can go on and on. These are all carnal desires that "feed" the flesh and when we walk in the "spirit", then we will not feed the flesh what destroys it spiritually. By NOT feeding the flesh means that you are NOT fulfilling the desires of the flesh.

To do this... deny the flesh, a person needs to walk in the spirit.

Gal 5:16 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.

Many seem to think that a person must FIRST stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh so they can THEN, walk in the spirit. That is backwards thinking because the scripture is clear... FIRST walk in the spirit and "then" a person will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

By doing that, you will starve the flesh of immorality and iniquity. The flesh struggles and is an overpowering force against us as we are in the spirit. That is why God ensures us and strengthens us through prayer and through the reading and understanding of the Word of God. He's provided the death of His very Son so that we are in victory... now it's about walking in that victory while still in the flesh and this is only possible when we read the Bible and apply ALL that God has provided for us to walk in that victory.

So many read the Bible for understanding God... there is so much more and through the APPLICATION of the scriptures into our lives, we will walk in the spirit and NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

This really helped me.
Thank you

[Frances]

Well said Kartar, and Slug.

I sugest 'walking in the Spirit' invoves praying for Guidance regarding every aspect of life - and following the Guidance, however unnecesary it may seem . . .

[-SEEKING-]

This is actually a strong point dude!!

Tell me if you agree with this... your "spirit" is in need of nourishment just as much as your flesh.

Do any of us truly "feed" our spirit as consistently as we feed our flesh?

By walking in the "spirit," does this feed our spirit?

Feeding the spirit is through that daily prayer and reading of the Bible as we draw close to God. Feeding the spirit is attending church, ministry work and fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Feeding the spirit is the actual resistance of feeding the flesh because feeding the flesh is NOT only about food. Pornography feeds the flesh, greed feeds the flesh, malice/anger/hate feeds the flesh and I can go on and on. These are all carnal desires that "feed" the flesh and when we walk in the "spirit", then we will not feed the flesh what destroys it spiritually. By NOT feeding the flesh means that you are NOT fulfilling the desires of the flesh.

To do this... deny the flesh, a person needs to walk in the spirit.

Gal 5:16 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.

Many seem to think that a person must FIRST stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh so they can THEN, walk in the spirit. That is backwards thinking because the scripture is clear... FIRST walk in the spirit and "then" a person will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

By doing that, you will starve the flesh of immorality and iniquity. The flesh struggles and is an overpowering force against us as we are in the spirit. That is why God ensures us and strengthens us through prayer and through the reading and understanding of the Word of God. He's provided the death of His very Son so that we are in victory... now it's about walking in that victory while still in the flesh and this is only possible when we read the Bible and apply ALL that God has provided for us to walk in that victory.

So many read the Bible for understanding God... there is so much more and through the APPLICATION of the scriptures into our lives, we will walk in the spirit and NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Good post my friend. This is one I need to read a few times and let it marinate in my mind. Thanks.

[Brother Mark]

I recommend a spiritual study of food. Look at all the times in the NT when Jesus refers to food but it's spiritual food and not physical food. Very interesting. It is through this "food" that comes by grace, that we are made holy.

[Slug1]

I recommend a spiritual study of food. Look at all the times in the NT when Jesus refers to food but it's spiritual food and not physical food. Very interesting. It is through this "food" that comes by grace, that we are made holy.

Living water is a good place to work from as well.

[Watchman]

It might be helpful to get a definition, or description, of the flesh. I believe it is the sum total of us apart from the Holy Spirit. Since we are constituted spirit, soul, and body, and since we are one spirit with the Lord, walking by the flesh, to me, means walking by the dictates of our mind, will, feelings, and physical appetites.

blessings,

W

[Slug1]

walking by the flesh, to me, means walking by the dictates of our mind, will, feelings, and physical appetites.

blessings,

W

I agree...

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.