Spring 1978
Walking in the Spirit
Wade Taylor
President, Pinecrest Bible Training Center

To be led of the Spirit enables us to walk the path of God’s choosing for our lives, that His purpose and will may be worked out in us. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). The rights and privileges of being a mature son of God come through a very “earthly” and practical means—we are to walk in the Spirit. That is, we are to see the purpose and the hand of God in each step we take and we are to acknowledge Him in all things. This is a direct challenge each one of us can relate to. When we are led of the Spirit, we are no longer moved by our intellect or our reasoning, but rather by the directing and leading of the Holy Spirit in our life. His presence and His peace will guide us in the steps that we take. If we turn aside, it is written in the Scripture that we will hear a word behind us saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21). We will feel a check, and if we are obedient, we will come back to the path the Lord has chosen for us. So it is that we walk by the manifestation of the presence of the Lord in our life.

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11). The word “quicken” means “to make alive.” If the Spirit of God is dwelling in us, then this body of flesh that we are need not move any longer by feeling, by motives of insecurity or fears, or whatever it may be that is within us. But we can place all of this on the altar and begin to move by the desire of the Lord, knowing that what He has for us is so much better than anything we would have for ourselves. We should pray, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Mathew 6:10). That is, in this earth that we are. “Thy will be done.” He knows what is best for us because He is “Our Father.”

How do we walk in the Spirit? It begins right where we are; in the very situation we are in. It is the condescension of the Lord to the level of our faith and understanding. We begin exactly where we are and walk one step at a time, trusting His guidance and direction for our life. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31).

“Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father” (Galatians 4:1, 2). There are two words for “son.” One is that of a baby who has not yet come to the place of accepting responsibility. The other is a son of full age who is capable of accepting and carrying responsibility. “Under tutors and governors.” We are being disciplined; we are under the rule of particular situations and we are submitted to them. These rules are for a purpose. These are our tutors and governors to help develop us and to bring us to maturity. If we do not submit to these we will miss something of eternal value for our lives that can never be repeated or replaced. This is the day of opportunity for the formation of our lives.

“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law . . . that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4, 5). There are two things in this life: one is preparation, the other is manifestation. There are two steps in coming into the purposes of God for our life. First, we are under tutors and governors; we are to submit to this in order for something to be produced within us, that in the fullness of time we will be lifted up into manifestation. In Luke 19:17, the one who was faithful with the “pounds” was rewarded with “cites.” His faithfulness was lifted into a higher realm of expression and authority. We are to be faithful in our work, our attitudes, our responsibilities; in our walking in the Spirit, and in our dependence upon Him. Even if we are taken advantage of, we are to receive it as unto the Lord. If we walk in the Spirit, acknowledging him in all, the Scriptures says we are becoming sons. Secondly, this Christ-life, pushing through the circumstances we find ourselves in, will come to manifestation and the purpose and call of God for our lives will become evident. We will then receive the adoption or placement of a son by the Lord. We will be set in the body as a functioning member of the Body of Christ, as a result of our faithfulness while under tutors.

No two of us face the same situations or circumstance, but if we will begin to walk in the Spirit, He will lead us through them and cause them to accomplish His purposed desire to bring us to maturity. As we draw closer to the Lord through our circumstances, the Lord may change them to draw us still closer. It is a graduation from a particular set of circumstances that we face into a new opportunity to know the Lord in a deeper way. We are still to walk in the Spirit, trusting His guidance, not wandering, but knowing that there is an obtainable goal to be reached.

“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guide: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:4, 5). The Lord is calling a people to walk in the Spirit, to follow the Lamb where He would go. A people who will walk away from their own ambitions and reasonings and follow Him. They are not defiled because they are following the Lamb, keeping Him preeminent in their lives. Their hearts are pure and clean before Him.

God is no respecter of persons. We have the Spirit within us and we can walk in the Spirit. It is readily available for each and every one of us. The greater the problems in our life, the greater the opportunity will be for overcoming and rendering glory to the Lord.

He will enable us to walk in the Spirit. It is so simple, and yet so marvelous that we can be a part of that company that is following Him whithersoever He goes.