“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh,” (Gal. 5:16, ESV).

Whether it is a journey through the snow or a forest, we often follow a path that has already been marked. The psalmist notes, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to our path,” (Ps. 119:105, ESV). The Holy Spirt works through the Word to guide our steps in this journey through life. King David describes the wisdom of a path guided by the Spirit, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way,” (Ps 37:23, ESV).

Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, we follow the selfish and foolish path, seeking to serve our own sinful desires. This is a self-destructive path that we have seen others walk, and one we’ve even walked ourselves. However, by the Holy Spirit’s work, we are to follow a different path, one that seeks not to serve ourselves, but to serve the Lord and, in turn, our neighbor. A journey guided by God’s Word means walking in the Spirit, with our steps established by the Lord.

The entirety of Psalm 119, along with much of the wisdom literature and Paul’s parenesis sections, describes the life of Christians, living and walking by the Spirit. This is what the life of the baptized child of God looks like in the home and at work, among friends and family. Walking by the Spirit means walking in love for God and love for our neighbor, and turning away from our enslavement to serving the desires of the flesh.

May our steps be guided by the Holy Spirit, working through the Word, so that we may walk in love throughout our journey!

Prayer – O Holy Spirit, by Your Word enlighten my path to guide my steps, so that I may walk in love for You and for others; through Jesus Christ, who with You and the Father are one God, now and forever. Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan