1. Understanding How the Spirit Empowers Obedience
Many assume that the Holy Spirit replaces obedience to the law, but the Spirit actually enables us to keep the law.
A. The Spirit Writes the Law in Our Hearts
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. (Hebrews 8:10, quoting Jeremiah 31:33)
This means that under the New Covenant, the same Torah (Law) of God is now internalized within us. Instead of just outward compliance, we desire to obey through the Spirit.
B. The Spirit Helps Us Overcome the Flesh
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
The Spirit gives us power to resist sin and walk righteously. If we allow the Spirit to guide us, we will not transgress the law.
2. Walking in the Spirit: Daily Practical Steps
Walking in the Spirit is not just about feeling spiritual—it requires discipline, commitment, and action. Here are practical steps:
A. Renewing Your Mind Daily with the Word
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
- Read and meditate on the Torah daily (Psalm 1:2).
- Memorize scriptures that reinforce obedience (Psalm 119:11).
- Filter all decisions through the Word of God—don’t act on emotions.
B. Keeping the Commandments in Love
If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
- Walk in obedience out of love for Yahuah, not just duty.
- See the commandments as a privilege and not a burden (1 John 5:3).
- Use the fruits of the Spirit to guide obedience (Galatians 5:22-23).
C. Praying in the Spirit for Strength
Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
- Daily prayer for guidance (Luke 18:1).
- Pray for wisdom to apply Torah correctly (James 1:5).
- Pray against sin and temptation (Matthew 6:13).
D. Fasting to Subdue the Flesh
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:21)
- Fasting helps weaken fleshly desires that lead to sin.
- It brings spiritual clarity and strengthens obedience.
3. Identifying & Overcoming Wilful Sin
Since wilful sin makes one an enemy of God (Hebrews 10:26-29), we must diligently examine ourselves.
A. Recognizing the Difference Between Wilful & Ignorant Sin
- Ignorant Sin – Done without full understanding (Leviticus 4:2).
- Wilful Sin – Deliberate disobedience after knowing the truth (Numbers 15:30).
B. Guarding Against Wilful Sin
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. (2 Corinthians 13:5)
- Self-examination daily: Are my actions aligning with Torah?
- Accountability: Having like-minded believers hold you to righteousness.
- Repentance quickly: Don’t allow sin to take root in your heart.
4. Discerning Between the Law of God vs. Man-Made Laws
Many confuse God’s Torah with man-made religious traditions. Yahusha rebuked the Pharisees for replacing God’s law with their own rules:
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9)
- Torah (Law of God) → Permanent and righteous (Psalm 19:7).
- Ordinances of men → Traditions that contradict Torah (Colossians 2:8).
How to Know if a Law is from God
- It is written in Torah (Exodus-Deuteronomy).
- It is consistent throughout Scripture (Isaiah 8:20).
- Yahusha upheld it in His teachings (Matthew 5:17-19).
5. Walking in the Spirit and the Sabbath
The Sabbath is a key part of walking in the Spirit. It is a sign between God and His people:
Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. (Exodus 31:13)
Keeping the Sabbath in the Spirit
- Not just resting, but dedicating the day to Yahuah.
- Studying the Word deeply to grow spiritually.
- Fellowshipping with others who walk in the truth.
- Avoiding worldly distractions (Isaiah 58:13-14).
Keeping the Sabbath in Spirit and in truth is evidence that one is walking in the commandments through the power of the Spirit.
6. Bearing the Fruits of the Spirit While Keeping the Law
Walking in the Spirit means the law is not kept in a harsh, rigid way but through love, patience, and joy.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Examples of Applying the Law in the Spirit
- Law says: Love your neighbor (Leviticus 19:18) → Spirit says: Do good to even your enemies (Luke 6:35).
- Law says: Don’t steal (Exodus 20:15) → Spirit says: Be generous and give (2 Corinthians 9:7).
- Law says: Keep the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8) → Spirit says: Delight in it, don’t just avoid work (Isaiah 58:13).
Keeping Torah without the Spirit leads to legalism, but keeping Torah with the Spirit brings life, love, and power.
Final Conclusion
Walking in the Spirit while keeping the commandments means:
- The Spirit enables us to keep God’s laws from the heart.
- We resist wilful sin and strive for daily obedience.
- We follow the example of Yahusha, who kept Torah perfectly.
- We distinguish between God’s law and man-made doctrines.
- We bear the fruits of the Spirit while walking in righteousness.
This is the path of holiness—obedience to Yahuah’s commandments while being led by His Spirit.
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