How to walk by the spirit.

[JLB]

No Christian is walking according to the flesh.
If he is, he is no Christian.

The scriptures teach us the truth -

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1

• There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus

The context of this verse is about those who are in Christ Jesus.


Do you believe people who are in Christ Jesus are saved?

 

[JLB]

I believe the old nature that we got from Adam is totally destroyed the moment the spirit of Christ entered the Christian. You can still function in the memory of it if your not interested in putting on the mind of Christ which we are told to do.

Ok. Please share the scripture that says our old nature we got from Adam is totally destroyed the moment the Spirit of Christ enters the Christ.


Here is what the scripture teaches -


There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

• to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh

Does someone who is in Christ have the Spirit of Christ in them?

 

[Corinth77777]

I believe the old nature that we got from Adam is totally destroyed the moment the spirit of Christ entered the Christian. You can still function in the memory of it if your not interested in putting on the mind of Christ which we are told to do.

Hi Peter, I love your humbleness. You speak profoundly so I want to learn.

Let's start from a beginning

When God has revealed Jesus to someone
and they believe Jesus is who God shows in Him to be with intent to follow. That person now has received the Spirit(life)of the son.

Correct?

They are now freed from sin in the sense that
there is a new and living way within them. So now blessings and cursings are set before them. Where before there was only one way the course of life would flow which is etenal seperation from God, death.

Correct?

So a person is now free to choose blessings or cursings.

Correct?

Choose to follow the Spirit( the way of Christ)
and you receive blessings choose to respond to the old nature, the habits of the flesh, cursings.

Correct?

So I do not believe the old is gone because then it removes one from choice. So what is gone? But I believe one has to have the ability to choose-hence, the choice of following the teachings of Christ. Therefore, as long as you choose Christ everyday the old things associated with Adam are passing away.

That may mean the way we think, we dont think anymore. It sounds like it describes how we are given a new heart. Having a new heart does not mean evil does not exist. It means you can overcome the world, satan, and the flesh.

If this happens automatically, then we'd have no reason to labor to enter His rest.

Correct me where I went wrong in my understanding.

Part 2, I've been brought up a Baptist so my thinking most likely reflect those views.

I've heard in the Pentecostal Churches what is called the Second work of grace( I think)

I think they call it the Baptism of the Holyghost, now if I could be honest this is when you are sold out for the Lord. Maybe this is ^just^ the baptism Jesus is speaking of to His disciples to actually "make disciples". Immerse them in the surroundings of the father, son, and HolyGhost.

This is the power to work the works of the kingdom.

I believe if we want to be a part of His kingdom then we must do what is in the kingdom...hence the passage pursue peace with all man for without it you cant see the Kingdom.

When asked what must He do to inherit the kingdom, it was sell all you have come follow me. That just shows the attachments that must be loosed.

Anyway thank you for listening

 

[for_his_glory]

Romans 6:6-7
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For he that is dead is freed from sin.

That sin might be destroyed, not our physical body.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Now read in that chapter what we are to do from vs. 5-17. The body of sin is that of the carnal, but those in Christ are now Spiritual and no longer being carnal with fleshly desires.

 

[for_his_glory]

I walk in the spirit of Christ that puts me in fellowship with the resurrected Lord Christ and God and I get as close to them as I can in my mind. As close as I can get right inside the spirit. In Romans 8:4, it's suggesting we walk after or by this spirit. In Romans 8:9, it calls this spirit the spirit of Christ. In Romans 8:11, it calls this spirit the spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead and that it dwells in us. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, it calls it the spirit of God that dwells in us. In Galatians 4:6, it's called the spirit of his son. And in Galatians 5:16, it talks about walking in the spirit.

Why not call this the Holy Spirit in whom indwells us and teaches us all things, John 14:26, Romans 8:9; 1Cor 3:16, and is it not the Holy Spirit that dwells in us, because how can we get right inside the Holy Spirit.

Do you see a difference between the spirit of Christ, the resurrected Lord Christ and God?

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all apart of the Godhead being the very Spirit of God.

Scriptures that refer the Holy Spirit as being God:
Psalms 139:7, 8; John 14:17; 16:13; Isaiah 40:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10, 11; Zechariah 4:6; Luke 1:35; Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 1:21; Jude 1:20

 

[for_his_glory]

You write as if the mortal fleshly body is still yours .
If one is actually "in Christ", the vessel is the Lord's.
Paul writes..."I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)

We are still housed in a fleshly body in where the nature to sin dwells, but everyday we overcome this flesh in order to walk in the Spirit.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.


This happens when Christ returns and then we are all changed before being caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air, but until that day we are still living in this fleshly body. This is why we need to learn how to walk in the Spirit so we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

 

[for_his_glory]

Rom 8:11..."But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

You and I will never agree on sinless perfection. If we say we have no sin then that makes us a liar, but yet we do not go willfully sinning.

 

[deepfaithpraise]

A belief system called Gnosticism was taking root in Christianity at the time the book of John was being written that taught there was a supreme and unknowable Being, which they designated as the "Monad." The Monad produced various gods, who in turn produced other gods, and one of these gods called the "Demiurge" created the earth and then ruled over it as an angry, evil and jealous god. Gnostics believe this evil god was the god of the Old Testament who is called"Elohim" and so the Monad had to send another god known as the "Christ"to bring special knowledge to mankind and free them from the influence of the evil Elohim. And this is why the gnostics do not seek salvation from repenting of their sin(but rather from the ignorance of which sin is a consequence) that they believe the evil creator God and his angels caused. They emphasize salvation of select humans from bodily existence through their awakening to the knowledge of their original divine identity. I believe the Apostle John had them on his mind when he wrote the Epistle of 1 John saying you must realize you have sin and repent. John was not talking to the already saved Christian as the Catholics would like you to believe.

I see this 1 John chapter 1 and 2 as we are either walking in our old dead nature if we are into sin. Or we are walking in the spirit if we are not into sin.

Chapter 1
6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"
6. Not in him because we are either not saved or have not put on the new man.

7"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
7. In him because we are saved and have put on the new man.

8 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
8. Not in him because we are either not saved or have not put on the new man.

9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
9. In him because we are saved and have put on the new man.

10 "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
10. Not in him because we are either not saved or have not put on the new man.

Although the historical context about Gnosticism is largely accurate, I feel compelled to offer a different perspective on the interpretation being presented.

I'm struck by how the early Church faced challenges remarkably similar to what we see today - people seeking to reconcile their understanding of good and evil, and their relationship with God. The Gnostics' attempt to resolve this through a complex cosmology of competing deities is fascinating from a psychological perspective.

But I must respectfully disagree with the assertion that 1 John was written exclusively to address non-Christians or that it doesn't apply to believers. The epistle's language consistently uses "we" and "us," suggesting John is addressing the Christian community as a whole. I can tell you that early Christian documents typically used such inclusive language when speaking to the faith community.

The binary interpretation presented (either completely in sin or completely in the spirit) doesn't align with the psychological reality of human nature or the historical understanding of Christian spirituality. The early Church Fathers understood that sanctification is a gradual process. Even Paul speaks of this ongoing struggle in Romans 7.

The Catholic position isn't that believers must repeatedly get "re-saved," but rather that growth in holiness is a lifelong journey. This understanding actually aligns better with what we know about human psychology - change is typically gradual and involves ongoing effort and awareness.

What do you think about viewing these passages as speaking to the universal human experience of struggling with sin while growing in faith, rather than as a stark either/or proposition?

 

[Peterlag7]

Although the historical context about Gnosticism is largely accurate, I feel compelled to offer a different perspective on the interpretation being presented.

I'm struck by how the early Church faced challenges remarkably similar to what we see today - people seeking to reconcile their understanding of good and evil, and their relationship with God. The Gnostics' attempt to resolve this through a complex cosmology of competing deities is fascinating from a psychological perspective.

But I must respectfully disagree with the assertion that 1 John was written exclusively to address non-Christians or that it doesn't apply to believers. The epistle's language consistently uses "we" and "us," suggesting John is addressing the Christian community as a whole. I can tell you that early Christian documents typically used such inclusive language when speaking to the faith community.

The binary interpretation presented (either completely in sin or completely in the spirit) doesn't align with the psychological reality of human nature or the historical understanding of Christian spirituality. The early Church Fathers understood that sanctification is a gradual process. Even Paul speaks of this ongoing struggle in Romans 7.

The Catholic position isn't that believers must repeatedly get "re-saved," but rather that growth in holiness is a lifelong journey. This understanding actually aligns better with what we know about human psychology - change is typically gradual and involves ongoing effort and awareness.

What do you think about viewing these passages as speaking to the universal human experience of struggling with sin while growing in faith, rather than as a stark either/or proposition?

I have had a number of Christians tell me about Romans 7 when I tell them I do not believe Paul taught about a "sin nature" for the Christian. Romans 7 tells us right up at the top of the chapter that Paul is talking to those who are into or know the law. And then the context of the whole chapter is how we can see it's all about Israel and their Law and how they toy with their flesh. What Paul talks about in the seventh chapter of Romans is what occurs to the believer who still thinks the Law applies to them. They end up spiritually dying by the commandment and realize that the commandment does not produce life. The war is with their flesh because they are still believing the Law has power over them. In the eighth chapter of Romans is where it explains how we overcome this whole issue by living in the spirit and being dead to the Law. We cannot live by faith in what Christ has done for us and still think our obedience to written laws are necessary. To do so takes away from the perfect work of Christ and places salvation and righteousness back in our own hands. Romans 8 states "the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin..."

 

[Peterlag7]

Why not call this the Holy Spirit in whom indwells us and teaches us all things, John 14:26, Romans 8:9; 1Cor 3:16, and is it not the Holy Spirit that dwells in us, because how can we get right inside the Holy Spirit.

Do you see a difference between the spirit of Christ, the resurrected Lord Christ and God?

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all apart of the Godhead being the very Spirit of God.

Scriptures that refer the Holy Spirit as being God:
Psalms 139:7, 8; John 14:17; 16:13; Isaiah 40:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10, 11; Zechariah 4:6; Luke 1:35; Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 1:21; Jude 1:20

I cannot have a conversation with you about walking in the spirit if you think the spirit of Christ is God.

 

[Peterlag7]

That sin might be destroyed, not our physical body.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Now read in that chapter what we are to do from vs. 5-17. The body of sin is that of the carnal, but those in Christ are now Spiritual and no longer being carnal with fleshly desires.

Our sin nature is gone.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

 

[Peterlag7]

Hi Peter, I love your humbleness. You speak profoundly so I want to learn.

Let's start from a beginning

When God has revealed Jesus to someone
and they believe Jesus is who God shows in Him to be with intent to follow. That person now has received the Spirit(life)of the son.

Correct?

They are now freed from sin in the sense that
there is a new and living way within them. So now blessings and cursings are set before them. Where before there was only one way the course of life would flow which is etenal seperation from God, death.

Correct?

So a person is now free to choose blessings or cursings.

Correct?

Choose to follow the Spirit( the way of Christ)
and you receive blessings choose to respond to the old nature, the habits of the flesh, cursings.

Correct?

So I do not believe the old is gone because then it removes one from choice. So what is gone? But I believe one has to have the ability to choose-hence, the choice of following the teachings of Christ. Therefore, as long as you choose Christ everyday the old things associated with Adam are passing away.

That may mean the way we think, we dont think anymore. It sounds like it describes how we are given a new heart. Having a new heart does not mean evil does not exist. It means you can overcome the world, satan, and the flesh.

If this happens automatically, then we'd have no reason to labor to enter His rest.

Correct me where I went wrong in my understanding.

Part 2, I've been brought up a Baptist so my thinking most likely reflect those views.

I've heard in the Pentecostal Churches what is called the Second work of grace( I think)

I think they call it the Baptism of the Holyghost, now if I could be honest this is when you are sold out for the Lord. Maybe this is ^just^ the baptism Jesus is speaking of to His disciples to actually "make disciples". Immerse them in the surroundings of the father, son, and HolyGhost.

This is the power to work the works of the kingdom.

I believe if we want to be a part of His kingdom then we must do what is in the kingdom...hence the passage pursue peace with all man for without it you cant see the Kingdom.

When asked what must He do to inherit the kingdom, it was sell all you have come follow me. That just shows the attachments that must be loosed.

Anyway thank you for listening

I don't walk in my flesh making choices. I walk in the spirit and have no choices. I do not have lust when I see a beautiful woman with no clothes. I see the beauty God created.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

 

[Hopeful 2]

I believe the spirit of Christ is my new nature and therefore I have been able to function in it. To live in it, walk by it, and be in it. When I finally figured this out is when the lights turned on. Most of my life I believed I was in a battle between what I thought was my old man fighting against what I thought was my new man. Now I'm not fighting. I moved right in the darn thing. It seems to me one cannot walk in or by the spirit if our old nature (which is dead) thinks it's fighting against our new nature. I was taught being in Christ meant I was in fellowship with God because I was walking upright in my flesh. I now understand being in Christ is being in the spirit and neither of them (in Christ or in the spirit) has anything to do with the darn flesh.

I rejoice to God for the opening of your eyes !
Now, you need to learn to say "skin and bones" while discussing the "vessel"; and "flesh", only while discussing the worldly oriented mind of the unbelievers.
There seems to be much confusion when these are discussed, so a clear delineation seems necessary.
I too walk in the Spirit, not the "flesh".

 

[Peterlag7]

Ok. Please share the scripture that says our old nature we got from Adam is totally destroyed the moment the Spirit of Christ enters the Christ.


Here is what the scripture teaches -


There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

• to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh

Does someone who is in Christ have the Spirit of Christ in them?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

 

[for_his_glory]

I cannot have a conversation with you about walking in the spirit if you think the spirit of Christ is God.

You have every right to reject what I am posting here, but if you do then you are rejecting that which has already been written in scripture.

1. God is Spirit, John 4:24, not flesh and blood and in the OT either spoke directly to the prophets or by angels and also various objects like a burning bush or an ass for example. Between the OT and NT God was silent towards Israel as when they returned to Israel from the Babylonian captivity they came back as merchants and not shepherds as they were disobedient to God going after other gods, Book of Malachi.

2. Jesus being the very Spirit of God before the foundation of the world as He and the Father are one was prophesied by the Prophets in the OT and spoken of by John the Baptist in the NT as John being the forerunner of Christ calling all to repent. As foretold Christ did come as the word of God made flesh (skin, bone, blood) to be that light that shines in darkness. He came as redeemer Savior through Gods grace as Christ is our faith that all can repent of their sins and have eternal life with the Father to all who will believe in Him as Lord and Savior. John 1:1-4; 1 Peter 1:13-21

3. After the sacrifice of Christ God raised Him from the grave and as He had to ascend back up to heaven the promise was that He would never leave us or forsake us as when He ascended He sent down the Holy Spirit (Spirit of God) to indwell all who will believe in Christ and His finished works on the cross. In the OT Gods Spirit fell on them for a time and purpose under heaven. Now we are indwelled with that power and authority through Gods grace that the Holy Spirit now works in us and through us teaching all things God wants us to learn. All three are Spiritual and Spiritual awaking's in us to know the will of God and walk in His statures. John 16:7-15

Ephesians 4: 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit as all three coequal Gods Spirit.

Jesus being the right arm of God. Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Jesus is the word of God. John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Jesus is word, light and life that is God come in the flesh. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Gods Holy Spirit has come to indwell us and teach us. John 14: 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

[Peterlag7]

My spouse and I discussed this part the other day.
What is the Spirit of Christ?
Excuse me as I think out loud.

He said the Spirit of Christ were the teachings of Christ and maybe in some contextes it can be.




If the Spirit of God dwells in us- right?

good thought- Why would a person be new? In what aspect is one new?

Is He a new creation as the beginning of what is being transformed?

Or

Is He new because of His new Surroundings?

So the answer to one being a new creation is water baptism?
So a person is new because they have died with Christ?
Ok

This reminds me of a passage that talks about a flower having to die, but yet coming up a new type of creation.

So..which brings about a thought in why we can be a new creation.

I wonder though if new creation refers to something that is being created? OR does the new creation already exist as it is finished being created.

The thought in why we are a new creation is maybe that our lives are interactively/ intertwined with Christ's.

So the old things that have passed away are associated with things in Adam.

The actuality of operating with, from or in our new surroundings.

If it is real to one, it is real because it is happening in one life and they know it. Therefore it can't make it fake to the one who live Christ's words.

Not if the self still has a physical body.
Which then does make an argument for the symbolic.
If you can walk through walls in faith I would say the old self has been obliterated.
But if not, and you still have to await a new body then the new has come. That would mean it has begun but not complete. Which would answer my question of how we are new.
We are a new creation- something in the process of being created.

Just my thoughts you are welcome to correct them by the word.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

 

[Free]

I cannot have a conversation with you about walking in the spirit if you think the spirit of Christ is God.

You don't believe the Spirit of Christ is the Holy Spirit?

 

[Peterlag7]

Define the terms "body" and " crucified".
What does this mean and entail? what makes you think this?

You don't believe the Spirit of Christ is the Holy Spirit?

I do not believe there's a trinity.

 

[Hopeful 2]

I don't avoid sin when I'm in Christ because there's no sin in him to avoid.

Though true, I was referencing your statement about Rom 6:12 not applying to those walking in Christ.
Those walking in Christ were the first not to allow sin to reign in their vessels.
Your perspective is from the "I already heeded that exhortation" clan.
But the scripture, Rom 6:12, was written for all mankind to heed.
It differentiates believers from unbelievers when seen from our "post-writing" perspective.

 

[Free]

I do not believe there's a trinity.

So, where do you get your understanding of "the spirit of Christ" from?