Walk
324. What It Means to Walk in the
Spirit?
From “Times Square Church Pulpit
Series” by Rev. David Wilkerson – August 15, 1994
God’s
purpose for every one of His children is that we surrender to the reign and
rulership of the Holy Spirit: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in
the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). In other words, “If He lives in you, let Him
direct you!”
In this message, I want to show you two things:
1. What it means to walk in the Spirit; and
2. How you can obtain such a walk.
I have not yet fully arrived in this glorious walk – but I
am gaining ground!
I believe Acts 16 is one of the best examples of what it
means to walk in the Holy Spirit. We’ve heard this expression all our lives –
to “walk in the Spirit” – but what does it mean?
1.
Walking in the Spirit means Incredible, Detailed
Direction and Unclouded Decisions!
The
Holy Ghost provides absolute, clearly detailed instructions to those who walk
in Him. If you walk in the Spirit, then you don’t walk in confusion – your decisions
aren’t clouded ones.
The early Christians did not walk in confusion. They were
led by the Spirit in every decision, every move, every action! The Spirit
talked to them and directed them in their every waking hour. No decision was
made without consulting Him. The church’s motto throughout the New Testament
was: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit has to say!”
You probably have heard preachers and missionaries say,
“The need represents the call. Jesus said, ‘Go’ – so, go! Go into all the
world, preach the gospel and make disciples!” Beloved, this is only half-true. We are to go into all the
world with the gospel. And the call is to the entire church. But we are to go
only when and where the Spirit leads! The idea that we’re simply to “pack our
bags and go” has nothing at all to do with walking in the Spirit.
I am ministering in New York City today because the Holy
Ghost told me very clearly: “Go to New York City and help raise up a church.”
And He told me when to come. No devil or demon can move me from this – because
the Spirit gave detailed instructions. I remember standing between Broadway and
Seventh Avenue, weeping and raising my hands. The Holy Ghost said, “In this
very area I am going to raise up a church. Obey me, David. Start a church in
New York City!” Times Square Church is not just an accident. It is the result
of clear, detailed instructions from the Holy Ghost!
The Bible says, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses
shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1; Matthew 18:16). I want to
give you three witnesses for my message: Paul, Silas and Timothy. Each of them
was full of the Holy Ghost and walked daily in the Spirit. And in chapter 16 of
Acts, these men show us what we can expect in such a walk.
Paul had chosen Silas and Timothy to go with him throughout
the churches, to establish them: “And so were the churches established in the
faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16:5). Now, in Paul’s day there was
no continent more needy than Asia. That land was in total darkness. And, like
many zealous ministers today, Paul wanted to go where the need was. But the
Spirit forbade him to preach in Asia on this occasion: “...they had gone
throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost
to preach the word in Asia...” (verse 6). They started to go, but the Lord
said, “No – you can’t go right now!” Paul said, “Well, let’s go to Bithynia!
The people are in darkness there, and we have been commanded to go. So let’s
go!” But again, the Spirit didn’t permit them: “After they were come to Mysia,
they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not” (verse 7).
No wonder so many missionaries come home from the field
after a short time. Many come back disillusioned and despairing because they
haven’t been led by the Spirit. They went with zeal – but without seeking the
counsel of the Holy Ghost. They were not sent out by the Holy Ghost! Paul and his men ended up in
Troas, undecided and wondering where to go next. That’s when Paul received a
vision:
“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a
man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help
us” (verse 9).
Please note: It’s a good thing the Spirit didn’t tell Paul
the whole story in this vision. You see, the man calling him was a jailkeeper –
beckoning him to come spend a night locked in a stockade within the walls of
his prison!
Beloved, you also will be tested when you begin to walk in
the Spirit. Paul surely was, along with his two young servants. When they
arrived in Philippi, a city in Macedonia, they didn’t encounter any such man –
only women! “And on the sabbath we
went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we
sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman
named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God,
heard us: whose heart the Lord opened… And when she was baptized, and her
household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the
Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us” (verses
13-15).
Can you imagine what Paul must have said to his two young
associates on the way to Lydia’s house? “I thought I saw a man calling for
help. Yet there’s nobody around here but women – not a man in sight! I trust I
heard the Lord correctly.”
We get upset when God tells us something and it doesn’t
unfold exactly as we heard it. We want every detail to fall into place. And if
we don’t “see the man” right away, soon we’re ready to discount everything! In
the meantime, however, God had opened Lydia’s heart. A number of women were
getting saved, God was moving – but there wasn’t a man in sight! Indeed, God
will perform all kinds of wonderful, unexpected miracles on the way to the
vision – and on the way of obedience!
Philip and Peter also walked in the Spirit – and they
got very detailed, incredible directions!
God was using Philip powerfully to lead a revival in
Samaria. People were being saved, healed, delivered from demons. But the Spirit
directed Philip to leave Samaria – and to go instead to the desert of Gaza. So,
in obedience, Philip packed it in, said good-bye and started walking to his
destination.
Along came an Ethiopian eunuch in a chariot, reading the book
of Isaiah.
“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join
thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him…” (Acts 8:29-30). Suddenly Philip was opening the message
of Isaiah 53 to this man, revealing Jesus. And the next thing Philip knew, the
man received Christ and was baptized. Then, “…when they were come up out of the
water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no
more…” (verse 39).
Many people have a problem with this last verse: “The
Spirit caught away Philip…” But I don’t. The Spirit had been present when the
heavens and earth were created; He was Co-Creator with the Father. So He
certainly could carry a man to his next preaching assignment!
Peter was on the rooftop praying when God showed him a
vision. The Lord was teaching him, “Don’t call anything unclean that I have
said is clean.” As this took place, three men stood at Peter’s gate, calling,
“Is Simon Peter in the house?” The
Spirit said to Peter, “Go downstairs – there are three men standing at the
gate. They’re going to ask you to go with them, and you are to go. Don’t doubt
anything – just go!” (see Acts 10:19-22). These were absolutely clear, detailed
instructions!
Later, in Jerusalem, Peter told the brethren why he ate
with uncircumcised Gentiles:
“And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting…” (Acts
11:12). Peter said, “The
Spirit told me to do it. I ate with them because the Holy Ghost spoke clearly
to me!”
The early church never sent out workers or missionaries
unless the Holy Ghost chose and ordained them. A person didn’t just walk up to the apostles and say,
“Look, I’ve got a call to Cyprus, to Paphos, to Perga, to Pergamus. Please
anoint me, ordain me – send me forth with your blessing!” No – the Holy Ghost
spoke clearly in prayer meetings, appointing those who were truly anointed of
God: “As they ministered to the
Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the
work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and
laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the
Holy Ghost, departed…” (13:2-4).
If you ask the Holy Ghost, He will tell you everything you
need to know – including where and when to go! Included in these incredible directions are precise warnings
about what is coming. The Holy Spirit will warn you in order to prepare
you: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit
of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew
you things to come” (John 16:13).
Jesus isn’t talking merely about prophecy and future
events. He’s talking about your life! Walking in the Holy Ghost is about being
led by Him in very practical, daily living. For example, He showed the early
church a famine was coming:
“And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified
by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which
came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according
to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in
Judea” (Acts 11:28).
The Holy Spirit warned them a famine was coming – so they
began to take offerings to share with other believers!
The Spirit also warned Paul that his trip to Jerusalem
would result in his being taken prisoner: “…there came down from Judea a
certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s
girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost,
So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall
deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles” (21:10-11).
Paul was being warned – told to prepare! The Holy Spirit
always warns us!
2.
Walking in the Spirit Means Never Being Intimidated by Demonic Harassment!
If you
walk in the Spirit, you will constantly be harassed by demonic powers. But you
do not have to be intimidated by any demon power – anywhere, at any time!
Paul was continually harassed by demonic powers. He was
preaching to Sergius Paulus, deputy of the isle of Paphos, when demons
attempted to interfere: “…a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus…
withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith” (Acts 13:6-8).
Barjesus means “son of Jesus” or “angel of light.” This was the devil standing
up against Paul! But the Holy Ghost welled up inside the apostle:
“Then Saul… filled with the Holy Ghost… said… thou child of
the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the
right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and
thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there
fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him
by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being
astonished at the doctrine of the Lord” (verses 9-12).
Paul, “filled with the Holy Ghost,” brought down all the
powers of darkness! In Acts
16, the devil again came against the ministry of the Holy Ghost – and again
Paul responded: “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel
possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much
gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These
men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of
salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said
to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.
And he came out the same hour” (16:16-18).
I want to stop here and challenge every Christian who
claims to walk in the Spirit: It is not enough to “be grieved” by the attempts
of Satan to harass you! Paul was grieved – meaning “disturbed, troubled.” And
he allowed it for many days. But how long should you put up with Satan’s
troubling you – putting unnecessary grief on you, hindering you in your work?
This could have gone on with Paul for a long time. It might
have affected his physical body. But the Spirit of God welled up in Paul, and
he said, “That’s it – that’s enough! In the name of Jesus, be gone!” Beloved, we take too much from
the devil! There comes a time when we’ve got to stand up in the power of the
Holy Ghost and say, “Enough – that’s it! I command you in Jesus’ name to go!”
3.
Walking in the Spirit Means Being Worry-Free – No Matter What Happens to You!
When
you take authority and command devils to flee, Satan will come at you with
everything in his arsenal. He’ll bring down all kinds of trouble and crises on
you!
Just after Paul had cast the demons out of the possessed
girl, Satan started stirring things up. He enflamed the crowd against Paul and
Silas – and suddenly they were in a terrible crisis!
The city magistrates had them whipped and cast into prison.
And with every stripe on their backs, I can hear the devil saying, “So you
think you’ve won the victory? You think you’re going to cast out my demons and
take authority over me? Take that! I’m going to beat you, cast you into prison,
lock you up hands and feet. Then let me see how much you praise the Lord!”
The devil didn’t seem to know: The more you whip a servant
of God who walks in the Spirit, the more praises you whip up from him! If you
throw him in a crisis, tie him up with problems and troubles, he’ll sing, shout
and worship! “And at midnight Paul
and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them”
(Acts 16:25).
If we are to walk in the Spirit, then we must believe God
for supernatural deliverance from every bondage of Satan. It doesn’t matter if
God has to create an earthquake to do it. In fact, that is exactly what he did
for Paul:
“And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the
foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were
opened, and every one’s bands were loosed” (verse 26). Satan will try to bring upon you
the most dreadful temptation or trial you have ever faced. He wants you to get
bogged down in guilt, condemnation, self-examination. Dear saint, you have to arise
in the Spirit and get your eyes off your circumstances and bondage. Don’t try
to figure it all out. Start praising, singing, trusting God – and He will take
care of your deliverance!
4.
Walking in the Spirit Means Never Again Fearing Man!
When
the magistrates ordered Paul and Silas out of jail, Paul refused to leave. He
said, “They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us
into prison; and now do they thrust us out…? nay verily; but let them come
themselves and fetch us out” (Acts 16:37).
God does not want you to sneak away from men who have been
the devil’s tool to harass you. He wants you to experience deliverance with
your head held high. He wants to prepare a table for you in the presence of
your enemies! “Let them come themselves and fetch us out!” This was not Paul’s pride
speaking. It was the Holy Spirit in him, saying, “Those who walk in the Spirit
don’t fear men. And the shame they tried to put on you is going to come down on
their own head!”
God, give us Paul’s holy boldness! We know we are more than
conquerors through Christ who strengthens us. Let the devil and his people be
put to shame. But those who walk with God will never be put to shame!
Now,
for the second part of my message:
How
Can You Obtain Such a Walk in the Spirit?
The
command to walk in the Spirit is given to all – not just to a few super-saints!
Here is how you can obtain this walk:
1. You must go after this walk with everything in you!
First, ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide and friend: “…Ask, and it shall be
given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”
(Luke 11:9-13).
If you are saved, then the Holy Spirit has already been
given to you. Now ask Him to take over – surrender to Him! You have to
determine in your heart that you want Him to lead and guide you. Moses,
speaking of the latter days, said,
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou
shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul”
(Deuteronomy 4:29). “…he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee…”
(verse 36).
2. Focus on knowing and hearing the Spirit – and get your
eyes off your trouble and temptation. Paul, Silas and Timothy would have
wallowed in fear and depression if they had focused on their troubles. Instead,
they focused on God – praising and worshiping Him!
Most of the time when we go to prayer, we focus on past
failures. We replay our defeats time after time, saying, “Oh, how far up the
road I could be if I hadn’t failed God and messed up in my past!”
Beloved, you’ve got to forget everything in your past! It’s
all under the blood – and worrying about it is a waste of time. So forget
yesterday – forget even the last hour. And forget about the future too, because
only the Lord knows what’s ahead. Instead, focus only on the Holy Spirit, with
your whole mind and heart. Give yourself completely to loving Him!
3. Give much quality time to communion with the Holy
Spirit. He will not speak to anyone who is in a hurry. All of God’s Word is
about waiting on Him!
When in prayer, you dare not think the first thing that
comes to mind is the voice of the Spirit. No, your flesh and the devil know
your desire to hear His voice – and they will rush in and inject words that are
not right!
Wait patiently. Seek the Lord and minister praises to Him.
Take authority over every other voice that whispers thoughts to you. Believe
that the Spirit is greater than these, and that He will not let you be deceived
or blind. Be willing to set your heart on Him as Jacob did – and not let go
until He blesses you!
Now,
Let Me Show You a Higher Meaning of Walking in the Spirit!
I thank
God for all the things I’ve described about walking in the Spirit: incredibly
detailed direction, power over demonic interference, worry-free dependence on
the Lord, freedom from fearing men. But each of these blessings should be only
a by-product of a higher walk in the Spirit. I believe the highest form of
walking in the Spirit goes beyond all these things!
Our example is found in 1 Samuel 9. In this chapter, Saul
was sent by his father to find some runaway donkeys. Taking a servant with him,
Saul searched throughout the lands of Ephraim, Shalim, Benjamin and Zuph.
Finally, he got discouraged and was ready to give up the hunt. But then his
servant told him about Samuel, a seer; maybe he could tell him where to find
the donkeys. On this
occasion, I see Saul as a type of believer who seeks direction only. All he had
in mind was: “Where are my donkeys? Where should I go? I’m at my wits’ end!”
Meanwhile, God had already told Samuel a young man was
going to come to him, and that he was to anoint him. Samuel here is a type of
the Holy Spirit, who knows the mind of God; he has more on his mind than just
direction. He knows Saul has been chosen by God to play a part in heaven’s
eternal purposes!
The first thing Samuel did when Saul arrived was to call
for a feast: “…go up before
me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will
let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart” (1 Samuel 9:19).
This is exactly what the Holy Spirit desires of us: to sit
at the Lord’s table and minister to Him – having quality time alone, hearing
His heart. Samuel asked Saul to
clear his mind so they could commune together: “And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set
not thy mind on them; for they are found…” (verse 20). Samuel was saying, “Don’t focus on
getting direction now – that’s all settled. There’s something more important at
hand. You’ve got to know God’s heart – His eternal purposes!”
Samuel laid a whole shoulder of meat before Saul, and they
spent time communing: “And… Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the
house” (verse 25). After that night of communion, Samuel asked Saul to send his
servant out of the room, so they could have an intimate, face-to-face session:
“…Bid the servant pass on before us… but stand thou still a while, that I may
shew thee the word of God. Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon
his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed
thee to be captain over his inheritance?” (9:27; 10:1).
Do you see what God is saying here? “If you really want to
walk in the Spirit – if you really want My anointing – you need to seek more
than direction from Me. You need to come into My presence and get to know My
heart, My desires! You see, I want to anoint you – to use you in My kingdom!”
Beloved, forget direction – forget everything else for now!
Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you the deep, hidden things of God. Stand still
in His presence, and let Him show you the very heart of the Lord. That is the
walk of the Spirit in its highest form! When you do this, direction will come – and you won’t
even have to ask! As Saul was leaving, Samuel said, “By the way – go to
Rachel’s sepulchre and you’ll get the information you need about your donkeys”
(see 10:2). Then Saul received some of the most incredibly detailed
instructions in all of God’s Word!
God has a precious oil of anointing He wants to pour on
you. He wants you to come out of His presence with the aroma of His anointing
on you. And as you’re leaving, He will whisper, “Oh, by the way – here’s what
you wanted to know…” He promises:
“And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard…”
(Isaiah 30:30).
Do you want to walk in the Spirit? Then set your heart to
seek Him today. You will learn to know His voice – with clear, detailed
directions. Amen!
COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS:
This data file is the sole property of World Challenge. It may not
be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for
circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this
data file must contain the copyright notice [i.e., "Copyright (C)1994 by
World Challenge"]. This data file may not be used without the permission
World Challenge for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This
includes all of its content with the exception of a few brief quotations.
Please give the following source credit: Copyright (C)1994 by World Challenge,
Lindale Texas.