Why It's Important to Walk in the Spirit

In one paragraph

This was week two of the Walking in the Spirit series. Brian walked through why it even matters to walk in the spirit, making the case that it is not an advanced topic for serious Christians but a basic need for anyone who will face hard seasons. The conversation drew on a wide range of scripture and a lot of back-and-forth with the room. Brian opened with a quick review of week one. Humans are...

Read together

1. Genesis 1 Spirit of God hovering over the waters of the deep before creation
2. Psalm 91 referenced briefly in connection with hovering imagery, though the specific verse was unclear in transcript
3. Deuteronomy 13:1-5 false prophets performing signs and miracles used to test whether Israel truly loves God
4. Matthew 24:11-13 many false prophets will appear and deceive many in the generation of the Lord's return
5. 1 John 4 congregation member quoted it: test the spirits, every spirit acknowledging Jesus came in the flesh is from God
6. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 people will follow their own desires and seek teachers who tell them what their itching ears want to hear
7. Luke 6:47-49 building a house on rock versus level ground, Jesus uses 'when' not 'if' the floods come
8. Proverbs 14:12 there is a way that seems right to man but leads to death
9. Jeremiah 17:9 the heart is wicked and deceitful above all else
10. John 15:5 apart from me you can do nothing
11. John 6:63 the spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing
12. Hebrews 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please God
13. John 15:1-8 Jesus as the true grapevine, remaining in him produces fruit, apart from him you can do nothing
14. Romans 8:5 those dominated by sinful nature think about sinful things, those walking in the spirit think about things that please the spirit
15. Galatians 5:16-17 let the Holy Spirit guide your lives and you won't do what your sinful nature craves
16. 1 Corinthians 13 congregation member referenced it in connection with self-seeking and the way of love

What was said

• Before you jump into your week, ask the Holy Spirit to show you one area where you have been running on your own strength instead of walking in the spirit.
• If you feel a tap from the Holy Spirit revisiting the tenderness of this morning, stop and listen instead of brushing past it.
• Ask yourself honestly whether what you are building in your life right now is built on the foundation, or whether it is a clubhouse that will not survive the storm when it comes.
• Join Brian and Lisa on the town square at 5 today to stand with the local Jewish community.
• If you are not already in one, hop into the men's Bible study Monday at 6 or the women's Bible study Wednesday at 5:30, both with dinner included.

Talk about it

1. Brian used the image of downshifting gears on a bike before a climb to describe why walking in the spirit matters even when life feels manageable. Where in your own life have you been caught in the wrong gear when a hard stretch hit?
2. Deuteronomy 13 describes signs and miracles occurring through someone who then leads people toward false gods, and Brian said God allows this as a test rather than a temptation. How do you personally go about discerning whether something that looks spiritually impressive is actually from the Lord?
3. Brian drew a sharp line between things done out of the spirit, which he said will be rewarded, and things done out of the flesh, even religious or impressive things, which he said will not. Sitting with that honestly, what in your life might fall into that second category?
4. The word in Luke 6 is 'when' the floods come, not 'if'. Brian said that word matters because the storm is guaranteed. What does it look like practically for you to dig down and build on the foundation before the hard season arrives, rather than during it?
5. Brian said there is no burnout when you are walking in the spirit, but that burnout can be a sign you are doing something in your own strength. Have you experienced that distinction, and what helped you recognize which one it was?