Habits of Jesus Day 7: Walking in the Spirit

Jesus walked in the Spirit (Luke 4:1,14) throughout His ministry and also as He walked towards Jerusalem and its culmination at the cross. He felt oppressed in the Garden of Gethsemane, but moved into His capture as God’s will, with the grace of the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit was more than a habit, because His Father was with Him everywhere that He went and in every conversation that He had. His desire was always to do the will of His Father and please Him (John 4:34).

And Jesus was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me, yet not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14: 36

For you have not received a spirit of bondage leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Daddy! Father!” Romans 8: 15

Jesus said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” Looking around, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, this is My brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3: 33-35

Oppression and bondage lead to discouraging feelings like helplessness, heaviness and fear. Whether that thing that is pushing on our heart and pressing on our body is external or internal, our spirit bows down and we wonder if we can get up again.

Maybe we are attached to the wrong people making a false claim on our lives or we are associating with an unsound group of people whose influence is controlling or exploiting us. Maybe we know people who feel trapped like this.

There are times when the battering comes from our own mind and our interpretations of the world where we live. We soon feel disheartened, weak and wronged but can’t seem to fit back together those feelings or those things that are unraveling and seem out of control.

We may feel that none of what is happening is our responsibility or that all of it is our responsibility. Neither is true, and we must see that assigning blame is not going to change anything. Surprisingly, understanding what is going on spiritually will have the most influence on a healthy outcome.

Know that, as a Christian, the Spirit of Christ lives in you and “walking in the Spirit” brings life and peace (Romans 8:6). Walk or move daily with Him on your mind and recognize Him in the small blessings of life. Feel Him walking beside you, hand in hand!

Oppression and bondage are not part of that Life with a capital L that He gives us. Walking in the Spirit will also bring into our reality the fact that we are adopted by Him as a son or daughter and cherished and chosen forever. Those ties enhance our identity, protection and security!

Identify how you are “walking in the flesh” (Romans 8:7-8).

In what ways might you be acting out of selfishness, misplaced pride, laziness, uncontrolled lust, belligerence or maybe greediness?

Own up to what you are doing or thinking that is wrong. Ask God for forgiveness and for His powerful Spirit to fill you and take a first step to change. Understand what someone else’s issue or action is and leave that for them to handle.

Be on the lookout for His daughters and sons and others who are not experiencing this freedom and peace. Ask God how you might show them that they can be your true sisters and brothers in Christ and belong to His family. Include them in your life and in your prayers.

Abba Father, show me where I need Your Spirit. Help me make changes to break a bondage in my life so that I may be free to see with Your eyes and love Your sons and daughters as You do. Amen.