Walking in God’s ways means living our lives according to His will and commandments. Psalm 128:1 states “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!” This verse encourages us to follow the Lord’s ways so that we may be blessed and experience the abundant life God desires for us (John 10:10). Here are some key principles from Scripture on how we can walk in God’s ways:
1. Read, study and meditate on God’s Word
God’s ways and teachings are revealed in the Bible, so reading, studying and thinking deeply on Scripture helps align our thinking and lifestyle with God’s truth (Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). As we understand God’s ways through His Word, we can apply it in how we live. We should strive to read the Bible daily and ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom in applying it.
2. Obey God’s commands and teachings
We walk in God’s ways by living out what Scripture teaches, not just learning it. The Bible encourages us to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). As we grow in our knowledge of God’s ways, we must also grow in obediently applying it in our speech, conduct, faith, purity, love and other areas of life.
3. Rely on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit
God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us walk in His ways. As we submit to God, the Spirit empowers and guides us from within to obey God’s will (Ezekiel 36:27, Galatians 5:16). The Spirit’s work such as producing Christ-like character of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23) enables us to live in a way that honors God.
4. Follow and imitate godly mentors
The Bible encourages us to imitate the godly examples and faith of more mature believers who model following the Lord (Hebrews 13:7, 3 John 1:11). Wise and faithful mentors can help guide and encourage us to grow in areas where we struggle to walk in God’s ways. Their godly counsel provides wisdom for challenges we face (Proverbs 11:14).
5. Walk in holiness and purity
A key aspect of walking in God’s ways is living a holy life separate from sin, just as God is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16, Leviticus 19:2). The Bible exhorts us to put off ungodly behaviors and attitudes and instead walk in righteousness, purity and love (Ephesians 4:17-24, 1 John 3:7-8). This includes fleeing sexual immorality, impurity, evil desires and greed (Colossians 3:5).
6. Walk in love
Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Our lives should be marked by generous, sacrificial love for God and for other people, including our enemies (1 John 4:7-12, Matthew 5:43-48). Walking in God’s love fulfills His ways.
7. Walk in humility and repentance
A vital part of walking in God’s ways is acknowledging we fall short and depend fully on His grace. The Bible tells us God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6-7). We should regularly confess our sins to God and turn from them (1 John 1:9). This humility and repentance lead us to value Christ’s sacrifice for our forgiveness.
8. Walk in faithful obedience
Ultimately, our goal should be a steadfast commitment to follow the Lord and His ways no matter what challenges we face in life. God desires us to walk in faithful obedience to Him all the days of our life (Deuteronomy 5:33, Ephesians 2:10). This steadfast obedience comes from a loving, trusting relationship with Him.
9. Fix your eyes on Jesus
As Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us, walking in God’s ways requires “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Christ modeled perfect obedience to the Father and dependence on the Spirit. Keeping our focus on who Jesus is and all He taught and did equips us to walk as He did. Jesus emphasized we must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23).
10. Rely on God’s grace and forgiveness
Though God calls us to obedience, we all stumble at times. Walking in God’s ways is a lifelong journey. But we can rely on His unlimited grace and forgiveness when we fail through repentance and faith in Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). God uses even our failures to conform us more to His ways when we humbly seek Him.
11. Wait on the Lord through prayer
Prayer helps us walk in God’s ways as we bring Him our needs, cares, sins and desires. “Wait on the Lord” is a repeated refrain in the Psalms (Psalm 27:14). Bringing Him our weaknesses and waiting on His strength and guidance through prayer is key to living His way (Psalm 86:11, James 1:5).
12. Walk by the Spirit
The Bible contrasts walking by the flesh versus walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, Romans 8:4-6). As believers, we now have the Holy Spirit living in us to guide, convict and transform us. So we must submit each day to His leading over our natural desires. This empowers us to bear His fruit and live by His wisdom.
13. Let Christ’s peace rule your heart
As we follow Christ’s ways, Philippians 4:7 promises “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Even amidst trials, His supernatural peace arising from prayer and thanksgiving will guide us to choose God’s ways (Colossians 3:15).
14. Walk by faith, not sight
God often calls us to walk in obedience in areas we can’t see or fully understand. But we can trust His ways are perfect. 2 Corinthians 5:7 declares “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Our faith gives assurance of God’s faithfulness as we follow Him. Hebrews 11 highlights many who walked in faith in God’s promises.
15. Remember you are God’s workmanship
We can’t live God’s way through self-effort but by relying on His power in us. As Ephesians 2:10 declares, “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” His Spirit transforms us as we obey. We can’t manufacture change, but we cooperate with His work.
In summary, walking in God’s ways starts with knowing His heart through studying Scripture guided by the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. We must increasingly live out His commands in all areas of life, relying on Christ’s grace and forgiveness when we stumble. Following godly mentors’ examples helps us grow. Most importantly, we must stay focused on Christ and live each moment by trusting and obeying Him. As we do this, God promises we will bear fruit and experience His blessings and abundant life.