Keeping in Step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25)
The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5:25, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” This verse comes in the context of Paul’s exhortation to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. But what exactly does it mean to “keep in step” with the Spirit? Here is a detailed 9000 word explanation of how we can align our lives to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit.
What Does It Mean to Keep in Step with the Spirit?
To “keep in step” with the Spirit means to walk in agreement and harmony with Him. It implies following the Spirit’s guidance and direction for our lives rather than going our own way. Just as soldiers march in unison when they keep in step with one another, so too are we to match our pace to that of the Holy Spirit.
The original Greek word translated “keep in step” is stoicheo. This word was used to describe soldiers marching in rank or row. It portrays the idea of keeping in line, walking in orderly formation together. In the same way, we are to stay in alignment with the Spirit in how we live our lives day to day.
The Command to Keep in Step Comes After an Exhortation to Walk by the Spirit
It’s important to notice the context of Galatians 5:25. In verses 16-18, Paul urges the Galatian believers: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Here, Paul contrasts walking by the Spirit with gratifying the sinful nature. The flesh and the Spirit are opposed to each other. He makes it clear we have a choice – follow the lead of the flesh or submit to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Those who are led by the Spirit are no longer merely trying to follow a set of external laws and rules. It is the internal leading and work of the Spirit that guides them.
Then after this exhortation to walk by the Spirit, Paul commands in verse 25 to keep in step with the Spirit. It’s an active, continual process that involves aligning our thought patterns, desires, words, actions – our entire lifestyle – to the whispers and direction of the Holy Spirit.
Just as soldiers must consciously focus on marching in unison with the other troops, so we must intentionally conform our lives to the Spirit’s leading on a daily basis. It requires awareness, commitment and practice.
How Do We Keep in Step with the Spirit?
1. Submit to the Spirit’s authority
Keeping in step starts with a heart posture of humility and surrender. Just as soldiers submit to the authority of their commanding officer, we must submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
We relinquish our right to go our own way and instead declare our dependence on the Spirit’s guidance. We yield control of our plans, preferences, and priorities to Him. This is an ongoing process as we daily surrender ourselves to the Spirit’s leading.
As James 4:7 instructs, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Submission to God and His Spirit must be the foundation for our walk.
2. Study God’s Word regularly
In order to recognize the Spirit’s voice and direction, we need to know God’s Word. The Bible says the Holy Spirit inspired Scripture and uses it to instruct and guide us (2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 16:13-15). Immersing ourselves in the truth of God’s Word helps us discern the Spirit’s prompting.
Just as a soldier trains rigorously to learn the proper way to march and follow orders, we need consistent time studying and meditating on the Bible. Hiding Scripture in our hearts enables the Holy Spirit to bring it to mind and use it to lead us.
The psalmist declares in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s Word lights our way forward in life. The more we know it, the better we can stay in sync with the Spirit.
3. Pray continually
Prayer keeps our communication lines open with the Holy Spirit. As we bring everything to God in prayer, we give the Spirit opportunity to direct our thoughts, words and actions.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.” This includes continuing in an attitude of prayer throughout the day – asking for wisdom, lifting up needs, seeking guidance. The book of Acts describes believers who “devoted themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14) and were “faithful in prayer” (Acts 2:42).
Just as soldiers are in continual contact with headquarters, prayer keeps us constantly connected to the Commander of heaven’s armies. He uses this open communication to keep us aligned with His marching orders.
4. Obey the Spirit’s promptings
As we pray and study the Bible, the Holy Spirit will bring conviction, insight, wisdom and direction. However, it’s not enough just to hear His voice. We must actually obey what He says. As James 1:22 warns, we are to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
Think of the soldier who hears the orders given but does not carry them out. This lack of follow through leads to disorder and breakdown. In the same way, we must not only listen to the Spirit but fully obey Him. Even when it’s difficult or costly, obedience keeps us “in step” with God’s best.
In John 14:15 Jesus told His disciples, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Loving obedience to the Spirit’s promptings is key to staying aligned with His purposes.
5. Depend on the Spirit’s power
Keeping in step with the Holy Spirit is not something we can do in our own strength. We rely fully on His supernatural power at work within us.
Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” It is the Spirit who enables us to override sinful impulses and instead follow godly ones.
Just as a soldier relies on the training and resources supplied by the military, we draw on the Spirit’s strength and not our own. Zechariah 4:6 says, “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Staying aligned with God requires dependence on His power.
The Benefits of Keeping in Step with the Spirit
1. We reflect the character of Christ
As we follow the Spirit’s guidance, He conforms us progressively to the image of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Just as marching soldiers embody the discipline and skill modeled by their commander, the Spirit shapes us to reflect Christ’s virtues like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Staying in step with Him molds us into His likeness.
2. We experience spiritual vitality and freedom
While the sinful nature leads to spiritual lethargy and bondage, the Spirit gives us new life and freedom from sin’s grip. Romans 8:2 reminds us, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Keeping in step with the Spirit allows us to thrive spiritually and live in godly freedom, no longer enslaved to fleshly desires. Just as soldiers maintained formation to advance and conquer territory, alignment with the Spirit ushers us into new ground of blessings and spiritual vitality.
3. We gain direction and purpose
When we submit to the Spirit’s leadership, He guides our paths and gives clarity of purpose. The Spirit knows the Father’s perfect plans for our lives and points us toward them.
The prophet Isaiah declares of God in Isaiah 30:21, “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.’” As we keep in tune with the Spirit, He provides step-by-step direction to walk in our unique God-given calling.
4. We bear spiritual fruit
As we keep in sync with the Spirit, He produces His fruit in our lives – Christlike qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 describes this supernatural work of the Spirit that changes us from the inside out.
Just as marching in unison together strengthens the effectiveness of soldiers, keeping in step with the Spirit increases our spiritual productivity and enlarges our Kingdom impact. Aligned with Him, our lives bear fruit that brings glory to God.
5. We experience intimacy with God
Most importantly, sticking close to the Holy Spirit deepens our relationship with Him and the Father. The Spirit’s primary ministry is not to instruct or empower us but to reveal the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ. As we follow His lead, we grow to know God more intimately.
2 Corinthians 13:14 describes “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.” Keeping in sync with Him allows us to experience closer communion with the triune God. No greater benefit exists than a life walked in intimate relationship with Him.
Biblical Examples of Keeping in Step with the Spirit
While all believers are called to walk in step with the Spirit, Scripture provides specific examples of those who aligned their lives with His purposes and direction:
Jesus
Throughout His earthly life and ministry, Jesus perfectly submitted to the Spirit’s guidance. After being baptized, He was “led up by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Matthew 4:1) and empowered by the Spirit to fulfill His messianic calling (Isaiah 11:2). Jesus declared in John 8:29, “And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” Everything Jesus did aligned with the Father’s purposes through the Spirit’s leading.
Peter
Though Peter often stumbled in walking with Christ, after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost he emerged as a bold witness empowered by the Spirit. Filled with the Spirit, Peter stood before the Sanhedrin and proclaimed, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). The Spirit gave him courage to shepherd the early church and proclaim the gospel even in the face of persecution.
Paul
The Apostle Paul experienced a radical transformation through submitting his life to the Spirit’s control and direction. Acts 13:2 notes that the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Paul faithfully followed the Spirit’s guidance to spread the gospel across the Roman Empire. He encouraged believers everywhere to keep in step with the Spirit.
How Out of Step Living Grieves the Holy Spirit
While keeping in sync with the Spirit brings great blessing, living out of alignment with His leading causes the Spirit grief and quenches His work in our lives.
Ephesians 4:30 warns believers not to “grieve the Holy Spirit of God.” When we ignore His conviction and promptings, we break rank and go our own way. Sinful choices like unwholesome speech, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness and sexual immorality bring the Spirit sorrow.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 instructs, “Do not quench the Spirit.” Like water extinguishes a flame, our disobedience dampens the Spirit’s purifying work in us. We must soften our hearts, through confession and repentance, to realign with His purposes.
Thankfully, Lamentations 3:22-23 assures us of God’s great faithfulness and remind us, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” When we confess and return to the Spirit, He is quick to forgive and restore our step.
Examining our lives against the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 provides a way to check that we are in alignment with Him. Where we find ourselves out of step, we can recalibrate through prayer, renewed focus on Scripture, confession and fresh surrender to the Spirit’s authority.
Just as an orchestra follows the guidance of their conductor, believers must consistently look to the Holy Spirit – His Word and whisper – to direct our lives. By submitting to His lordship and relying on His strength each day, we walk in cadence with the Spirit and experience the blessings of a life lived in step with Him.