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When I was a girl, my grandmother had a beautiful cherry tree in her front yard. I would climb up into the tree and enjoy fresh cherries to my heart’s delight. That tree did what it was made to do–it made cherries! In the same way, the Spirit of God longs to do what the Spirit does–bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” 

Galatians 5:16

That’s an amazing promise! Amazing! If I walk by the Spirit, then I won’t indulge my flesh with extra servings, cheats, emotional eating. I won’t eat when I’m not hungry!

Why is it so difficult to walk in the Spirit? Galatians 5:17 says that “the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”

I’ve gotten the fruit of the Spirit wrong so much of the time. I’ve focused on growing in the fruit of the Spirit–having more self-control, working on patience, memorizing verses on faithfulness. I’ve studied the fruit of the Spirit. I’ve “worked” at bearing fruit. I was wrong. Did my grandmother’s cherry tree have to “work” at bearing cherries? Or did it just do what flowed from within?

Instead of working at it, I’ve needed to focus on walking in the Spirit so the Spirit can bear fruit in my life.

Let’s dig into this word by word!

Galatians 5:16 says to “walk” by the Spirit. The word “walk” in Greek is peripateo and it means to tread all around, proof of ability, live, deport oneself, follow as a companion, go, be occupied with, walk about.

Which of those definitions speaks to you the most? For me, I ask myself: What am I most occupied with? Is it the things of the Spirit or the flesh? What would it look like to be occupied with the Spirit of God at all times?

Galatians 5:18 says to be “led” by the Spirit. This Greek word is Ago and it means to be carried; it’s a navigation term which has the same meaning as to set sail. Think about that. Just as the wind carries a ship over the waters, we are to be carried by the Spirit. I believe being led by the Spirit is much more effortless than we’ve made it. And I’ve tried to get in touch with what it would mean to be more focused on the spiritual part of who I am–rather than my mind and body.

For just a minute, try this. Consider that you are mind, body, and spirit. Think about just your body. Got that isolated? Close your eyes and focus on your physical body for 30 seconds.

Now think about just your mind. Stay there and be very aware of the energy and the thoughts that are in your mind. Focus on your mind for 30 seconds.

Now think about your spirit. The inner person that is you. It’s not body or mind but it’s deep inside of you. Focus on your spirit for 30 seconds.

That is the part of you that the Holy Spirit inhabits. And if you’re like me, that’s a part of you that’s undernourished in your relationship with God. I’m so much in my mind when it comes to my faith. I study the Bible and I think about truth. This, of course, is important!

But God isn’t saying to “walk in my mind.” He wants me to walk in the Spirit. I must get in touch with what that means because if I walk in the Spirit that lives in my spirit, I won’t carry out the desire of the flesh. Remember that great promise!

Galatians 5:18 says “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” This is freedom! If we are led by the Spirit, we don’t need to obey rules (diets) to be free. The Spirit makes us free!

Am I walking in the Spirit? The most powerful evidence is in Galatians 5:22-23: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Are these things evident in my life fully? If they are, I am walking in the Spirit. If they aren’t, I’m not walking in the Spirit.

It seems so clear to me. If I need more self-control, what I really need is more Spirit! It’s ridiculous to work on having more fruit, as though we can will more of this fruit by our effort. What we need is to yield more to the Spirit!

Galatians 5:25 says “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” The Greek word for “live” is Zao and this means to live under the Spirit’s constant guidance and influence. We need more constant guidance and influence of the Spirit!

I don’t pretend to have this figured out, but I do know that I don’t need a diet; I need a new lease on living in, walking with, following the Spirit of God who lives within me. I’m excited about how God is going to use this weakness in my life to grow me in spiritual maturity.

May God build into our lives the truths below.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” Isaiah 30:21

“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” Romans 8:6

Imagine what a mighty force of men and women who walk in the Spirit and hear God’s voice would be for the Kingdom of God!