Step 7: Walk by the Spirit

The Good Way Discipleship Course | Step 7 of 12

Living by the Holy Spirit’s Power, Guidance, and Fruit

Central Truth: The Holy Spirit is God, who dwells in those who belong to Jesus Christ. He makes Christ known, strengthens believers to resist sin, produces Christlike character, and equips God’s people to serve one another. We learn to walk by the Spirit through trusting Christ, receiving his Word, and responding to his grace in everyday life.

Learning to Live by the Spirit

You may know that Jesus commands you to love others, yet still struggle with impatience. You may understand the importance of forgiveness, yet find resentment returning. Perhaps you sincerely desire to follow Christ, but your thoughts, words, and choices do not always reflect that desire.

How does a Christian actually change? Can we become more like Jesus simply by trying harder, building better habits, or exercising stronger willpower?

Jesus did not save his people and then leave them to produce holiness by themselves. He gives them the Holy Spirit, who works within them to form a new way of living. Christian growth involves real decisions and obedience, but its power comes from God rather than our independent effort.

In earlier lessons, we learned to abide in Christ, receive his Word, and approach God in prayer. Now we will consider the divine Person who makes this dependent life possible. The Holy Spirit is not a distant religious idea. He is God present with his people, teaching them the truth, directing them toward Jesus, and transforming their lives. If we are saved, then he promises that he dwells within us!

This lesson will help you understand who the Holy Spirit is, recognize his work, discern his guidance, and learn what it means to walk by the Spirit throughout an ordinary day.

Begin With Scripture

Principal Reading: Galatians 5:13–26

Before continuing, open your Bible and read this entire passage carefully. If possible, begin at Galatians 5:1 so you can understand Paul’s larger argument about Christian freedom.

As you read, notice three important movements:

• Freedom and love (verses 13–15): Paul explains why freedom in Christ should lead believers to serve others rather than indulge selfish desires.
• The flesh and the Spirit (verses 16–21): Paul describes the conflict between sinful desires and the Spirit’s leading, including the serious consequences of an unrepentant life.
• Fruit and a new way of life (verses 22–26): Paul identifies the character produced by the Spirit and calls believers to live consistently with the life they have received.

These verses are not an isolated collection of moral advice. They belong to Paul’s larger explanation of salvation by grace and the new life that follows faith in Jesus Christ.

Two Companion Readings

Read both passages during this step, either before meeting with your discipler or together during your study.

1. John 16:5–15

Jesus explains the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, who will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. He also explains how the Spirit guides his apostles into truth and glorifies Christ. Notice how the Spirit’s ministry directs attention toward Jesus and his saving work.

2. 1 Corinthians 12:4–13

Paul explains how the Holy Spirit distributes different gifts among believers for the common good. Notice that Christians receive different gifts but belong to one body through the same Spirit. These gifts are intended for service, not personal status or spiritual competition.

If you are reading through the Gospel of John alongside this course, spend extra time in John 16. Jesus explains why the coming of the Holy Spirit is important for his disciples and how the Spirit’s continuing work will glorify him.

Main Teaching: What It Means to Walk by the Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit Is God, Not an Impersonal Force

Some people imagine the Holy Spirit as a peaceful feeling, a sudden religious excitement, or a mysterious power that helps Christians accomplish extraordinary things. Scripture reveals someone far greater.

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. Christianity confesses one God eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These are not three gods or three temporary appearances of one person. The Father, Son, and Spirit are personally distinct and fully share the one divine nature.

In John 14:15–27, Jesus prepares his disciples for his coming departure. He promises that the Father will send another Counselor, the Spirit of truth, who will remain with them. The Spirit will teach them and bring Jesus’ words to their remembrance.

Jesus speaks these words first to his apostles during his final evening with them. Their particular calling included remembering and faithfully communicating his teaching. Through their inspired witness, preserved in Scripture, Christians continue to receive the truth about Jesus. The same Spirit also works within believers to help them understand and obey God’s Word.

Notice the relationships Jesus describes. The Son asks the Father, the Father sends the Spirit in the Son’s name, and the Spirit continues making Christ known. The Spirit is not merely the influence Jesus leaves behind. He is the living God actively working among his people.

Scripture describes several aspects of his ministry:

• He gives spiritual life. Jesus teaches that new birth comes through the Spirit (John 3:5–8).
• He dwells in believers. Those who belong to Christ have received the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9).
• He makes Christ known. The Spirit teaches and directs attention toward Jesus and his truth (John 14:26; 16:13–15).
• He helps us pray. The Spirit intercedes for believers in their weakness (Romans 8:26–27).
• He produces holy character. Love, patience, goodness, and other spiritual fruit develop through his work (Galatians 5:22–23).
• He equips the church. The Spirit gives different gifts for the good of Christ’s people (1 Corinthians 12:4–13).

These ministries belong together. The Spirit brings sinners to new life, strengthens believers, forms Christlike character, and builds up the church.

He does not teach a different gospel or lead us away from Jesus. Instead, he glorifies Christ and helps believers live according to the truth Christ has revealed.

Christian discipleship is more than imitating Jesus from a distance. Those who belong to him have received the Holy Spirit, who makes genuine transformation possible.

2. Freedom in Christ Leads Us to Love

Galatians 5:13–15

Before explaining the fruit of the Spirit, Paul reminds the Galatian believers that Christ has called them into freedom. To understand this freedom, we need to remember why he wrote the letter.

Certain teachers were troubling the churches by insisting that Gentile believers needed circumcision and obedience to the Law of Moses to be fully accepted by God. Paul rejected making these requirements a basis for justification. Sinners receive righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, not by earning acceptance through religious performance.

Christ has accomplished what we could never accomplish for ourselves. His saving work is sufficient, and our obedience cannot improve upon the basis of our acceptance before God.

Yet Paul knew that people could misunderstand Christian freedom. If salvation does not come through religious effort, does that mean our behavior no longer matters?

Certainly not. Paul explains that believers must not use freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Instead, they should serve one another through love.

Consider two common misunderstandings:

• Legalism: Believing that enough obedience, prayer, or spiritual effort will finally make God accept us.
• License: Believing that God’s grace allows us to disregard his commands or continue deliberately in sin.

Neither reflects the gospel Paul teaches. Legalism tries to earn salvation, while license separates salvation from the transforming work of God.

The biblical answer is that we are saved by grace through faith, and that grace leads us into a new life of love and obedience. Christians do not obey in order to purchase adoption. They obey because Christ has brought them into God’s family and given them his Spirit. If we truly trust in God, we should also trust in his work in our lives and allow him to perform that work.

Paul connects this freedom with the command to love our neighbors as ourselves. He also warns that hostility and selfishness can destroy Christian fellowship. Freedom in Christ should produce servants, not people who use their supposed liberty to harm one another.

Jesus taught the same connection between love and obedience. In John 14:15 (WEBU), he says:

If you love me, keep my commandments.

Love for Christ does not replace obedience, nor does obedience replace love. Through the Spirit, the two belong together.

3. The Flesh and the Spirit Are in Conflict

Galatians 5:16–21

Paul now explains why believers experience an ongoing struggle with sin. He describes two opposing influences: the flesh and the Spirit.

In this passage, the flesh does not simply mean our physical bodies. God created human beings with bodies, and Scripture promises the future resurrection of those bodies. Here Paul describes fallen human desires and patterns of life that resist God’s will.

The flesh seeks independence from God. It places our own desires above his truth and often treats other people as obstacles to getting what we want.

Paul identifies several kinds of sinful conduct, including sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and outbursts of anger. He also names rivalry, division, and other behaviors that damage the church.

Notice how much of the list concerns relationships. Spiritual maturity cannot be measured merely by avoiding publicly visible sins. A person may appear religious while remaining deeply proud, resentful, divisive, or cruel toward others.

Paul gives a serious warning in verses 19–21. Those who continue practicing such sins as a settled way of life will not inherit God’s kingdom. The warning confronts anyone who claims Christ while remaining committed to conduct that rejects his rule.

This does not mean that every failure proves a genuine believer has lost salvation. Christians still struggle with temptation and must continue repenting. The New Testament does not treat sin lightly, but it also directs repentant sinners back to the grace of Christ.

Paul explains that the flesh and Spirit oppose one another. Consequently, believers may experience desires that conflict with what they know is right.

Temptation is not itself proof that the Holy Spirit has abandoned you. The question is whether you surrender to sinful desires or respond to the Spirit’s leading through faith and obedience.

Imagine someone speaking harshly to you. Your immediate desire may be to retaliate, embarrass them, or remain resentful. Walking by the Spirit does not require you to manufacture a pleasant feeling. Instead, you can acknowledge your anger, ask God for help, and remember Christ’s teaching about truthful and loving conduct.

A faithful response might involve speaking calmly, refusing retaliation, or establishing an appropriate boundary. Patience does not require tolerating abuse, and gentleness does not prevent necessary correction. The Spirit teaches us to respond according to God’s truth rather than simply following our impulses.

Paul’s command concerns our ordinary way of life. Walking by the Spirit means learning to depend upon God as we make decisions, respond to others, and face temptation throughout the day.

4. The Fruit of the Spirit Reveals His Transforming Work

Galatians 5:22–26

After describing the deeds of the flesh, Paul turns to the fruit of the Spirit. He identifies nine qualities that together describe a life increasingly shaped by God.

Notice that Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit rather than presenting nine separate spiritual achievements. His emphasis is on the character God produces in those who belong to Christ.

The qualities are familiar, but they deserve careful consideration.

• Love: Seeking another person’s good rather than always demanding our own way.
• Joy: A deep gladness rooted in God and his promises, even during difficult circumstances.
• Peace: The confidence that comes from reconciliation with God and shapes our relationships with others.
• Patience: Enduring difficulty or provocation without needless anger or retaliation.
• Kindness: Showing sincere concern through helpful and compassionate actions.
• Goodness: Choosing what honors God and benefits others rather than what is merely convenient.
• Faith: Trusting God and displaying dependable faithfulness. The WEBU also gives faithfulness as an alternative rendering in verse 22.
• Gentleness: Treating others with humility and restraint rather than using strength harshly.
• Self-control: Resisting impulses and desires that would lead us away from faithful obedience.

These qualities are not merely personality traits. Someone may naturally appear calm or friendly without possessing genuine faith in Christ. The fruit Paul describes comes from the Holy Spirit’s transforming work.

Nor should we use the list as a spiritual performance chart. A Christian does not need to assign a daily score for kindness, patience, or peace. Such exercises can easily redirect attention toward personal achievement rather than dependence upon Christ.

Instead, consider the direction of your life and your desires. Are you learning to recognize sinful attitudes and turn from them? Are you becoming more willing to love, forgive, and serve? Do you desire to do so? Do you increasingly understand that Christ, rather than your own spiritual strength, is the source of your hope?

Growth may be gradual, and some struggles may remain difficult for a long time. Nevertheless, Scripture calls believers to genuine transformation rather than passive acceptance of sin.

In verse 24, Paul grounds this new life in belonging to Christ. Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. This language describes a decisive break with the old allegiance to sin. It does not mean that every sinful desire has already disappeared.

Verse 25 then calls believers to live consistently with the Spirit-given life they have received. Paul concludes by warning against conceit, provocation, and envy. The fruit of the Spirit must shape the way Christians treat one another, not merely the way they evaluate themselves.

Spiritual growth is therefore both personal and communal. The Spirit changes individual believers so that their relationships increasingly reflect the character of Jesus.

5. The Holy Spirit Assures Us That We Belong to God

Review From Step Three: Romans 8:1–17

The Holy Spirit does more than help Christians make better decisions. He also confirms their relationship with God and strengthens their confidence in Christ.

Recall Romans 8:1–17 from Step Three, where we considered the Spirit’s work in our new life and identity in Christ. Paul begins by teaching that those who are in Christ Jesus are no longer under condemnation. This freedom rests upon God’s saving action through his Son, not upon the believer’s flawless obedience.

Paul then describes the Spirit dwelling within God’s people. According to Romans 8:9, belonging to Christ and possessing the Spirit belong together. Christians do not need to earn the Spirit’s presence through enough prayer, worship, or religious effort.

The Spirit also leads believers to resist sinful conduct. Romans 8:12–13 calls Christians to put sinful deeds to death through the Spirit rather than surrendering to the flesh. God’s prior gift of life makes this response possible.

Paul then introduces another wonderful truth: believers have been adopted as God’s children.

Through the Spirit, they can approach God as Father. Romans 8:16 explains that the Spirit bears witness with their spirit that they are God’s children. This assurance belongs to the Spirit’s ministry, but it should not be reduced to the pursuit of extraordinary feelings.

Some Christians experience deep comfort during prayer or worship. Others pass through seasons of sorrow, spiritual dryness, or uncertainty. These experiences do not carry the same authority as God’s promises in Scripture.

Our confidence must remain grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ, his saving work, and the truth God has revealed. The Spirit strengthens assurance by directing believers toward that truth and enabling them to live as God’s children.

Later in Romans 8, Paul explains that the Spirit also helps Christians when they are weak and do not know how to pray. His intercession assures us that our relationship with God does not depend upon perfect words or constant emotional strength.

We still await the resurrection and complete renewal that God has promised. Until then, believers experience the Spirit’s presence while continuing to face weakness, suffering, and temptation.

The Spirit’s ministry gives us confidence to continue trusting Christ, even when we do not feel particularly strong.

6. The Spirit Gives Gifts for the Good of the Church

1 Corinthians 12:4–13

The Holy Spirit also equips believers to participate in the life and ministry of Christ’s church.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul explains that the same Spirit distributes different gifts among God’s people. These gifts are not rewards for becoming spiritually important. God gives them for the good of the whole body.

Scripture describes various forms of Spirit-enabled service, including teaching, encouragement, mercy, administration, and other ministries that strengthen the church. First Corinthians 12 also discusses gifts involving healing, prophecy, and different kinds of tongues.

Christians have historically disagreed about the continuing operation of certain miraculous and revelatory gifts. Some believe all the gifts described in the New Testament remain available in essentially the same ways. Others believe some gifts served a particular foundational purpose during the apostolic period.

These differences deserve careful biblical examination and respectful conversation. They should not distract us from Paul’s central teaching: the Spirit gives gifts so that believers can serve one another and honor Christ.

Different Christian traditions also understand Spirit baptism and subsequent spiritual empowerment differently. Yet an extraordinary experience or one particular gift should not become our measure of another person’s salvation. Romans 8 grounds belonging to Christ in possessing his Spirit, while 1 Corinthians 12 emphasizes the Spirit’s varied distribution of gifts.

Spiritual ability must never become an excuse for pride. Someone may have impressive talents yet lack patience, humility, or love. Paul addresses this danger by placing his teaching about spiritual gifts alongside the necessity of Christian love in 1 Corinthians 13.

Important Note: Spiritual gifts belong to God, not to us. They are entrusted to believers by the Holy Spirit, and at the end of this life, we must give an account to God for how faithfully we used what he provided (1 Peter 4:10; Romans 14:12). Therefore, again, no spiritual gift should ever become a source of personal pride.

We should also distinguish spiritual gifts from ordinary natural talents. A spiritual gift is an expression of the Spirit’s work in someone who belongs to Christ, not merely an ability that person possessed before salvation. However, this does not mean every spiritual gift must appear as an entirely new skill. The Holy Spirit may also transform and empower existing abilities for purposes they never served before or amplify certain talents to new levels. What matters is that the gift comes through the Spirit’s gracious work, serves the church, and brings glory to God rather than ourselves.

If you are uncertain where you can serve, begin with ordinary faithfulness. Participate in a healthy local congregation, learn from trustworthy leaders, and notice opportunities to encourage or help others.

You do not need to identify a remarkable spiritual gift before serving someone. The Spirit often works through quiet, faithful acts that receive little public attention.

7. How Do We Recognize the Spirit’s Guidance?

One important question for growing Christians is how to recognize God’s guidance.

You may hear someone say they felt the Holy Spirit directing them toward a decision. Others describe an inward conviction, a peaceful impression, or a strong thought during prayer.

We should neither dismiss these experiences automatically nor assume that every feeling comes directly from God. Scripture gives us a trustworthy foundation for spiritual discernment.

The Holy Spirit does not contradict the Scriptures he inspired. God’s written Word, contained in the 66 canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, remains the authoritative standard for Christian faith and conduct.

Through Scripture, the Spirit teaches us about Jesus, exposes sin, corrects mistaken thinking, and helps us understand faithful obedience. Listening to God therefore begins with listening carefully to his Word.

The Spirit also works through prayer, conscience shaped by biblical truth, wisdom, and the counsel of mature Christians. These supports help us consider how God’s teaching applies to particular circumstances.

When evaluating a possible spiritual prompting, ask:

1. Does it agree with Scripture? God does not direct us to commit sin or reject what he has clearly taught.
2. Does it reflect the character and commands of Jesus? Genuine spiritual guidance will not excuse pride, cruelty, dishonesty, or selfish ambition.
3. Have I sought wise counsel? Mature Christians and accountable church leaders can help us recognize assumptions or dangers we may have overlooked.
4. Have I considered the circumstances responsibly? God calls us to use wisdom, understand our obligations, and consider how our decisions affect others.

Suppose you feel strongly that God wants you to leave a job, move somewhere new, or undertake a particular ministry. Instead of immediately declaring that your impression is a divine command, examine the decision through Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and reliable information.

There will also be situations in which Scripture has already given a clear command. We do not need an unusual impression to know that Jesus commands us to love our neighbors, tell the truth, forgive others, and follow him faithfully.

Other decisions require careful judgment. Scripture may not identify which particular job to accept or which opportunity to pursue. In those matters, we can pray for wisdom, consider biblical principles, seek counsel, and make responsible choices before God.

A strong emotion is not automatically the Spirit’s voice. Likewise, the absence of an unusual experience does not prove that God has stopped guiding us.

The Spirit’s ordinary ministry is wonderfully sufficient. He leads believers toward the truth of Christ and helps them live according to that truth.

Christians Before Us: The Holy Spirit in Historic Christian Faith

The early church took the identity and work of the Holy Spirit seriously. In the fourth century, Basil of Caesarea defended the Spirit’s full divine dignity in his influential work On the Holy Spirit, arguing that the Spirit deserves the same honor and worship as the Father and the Son. This conviction was expressed in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (AD 381), which confesses the Holy Spirit as Lord and giver of life, worshiped and glorified with the Father and the Son. The church did not understand the Spirit as an impersonal force, a lesser divine being, or merely a source of extraordinary power. He is truly God, the third person of the Trinity, actively giving life and sanctifying God’s people. This historic confession continues to remind Christians that knowing the Holy Spirit is essential to understanding the God we worship.

Cyril of Jerusalem, another fourth-century Christian teacher, emphasized the Spirit’s personal involvement in the lives of believers. In his Catechetical Lectures, Cyril described the Spirit as the one who teaches, strengthens, enlightens, sanctifies, and distributes gifts throughout the church. He recognized that the same Spirit works in different people according to their needs and God’s purposes. This understanding closely reflects Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 12: the Spirit gives different gifts, but all come from the same divine source. The lesson from Christians before us is that the Holy Spirit must be both honored as God and depended upon in daily life. His presence is not something to neglect, and his gifts are never grounds for personal pride. Everything he provides is intended to draw us closer to Christ and strengthen his church.

What Is True in Christ

One of the most remarkable statements Jesus made about the Holy Spirit appears in John 16:7. As Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, he told them, “It is to your advantage that I go away.” He explained that his departure would lead to the coming of the Counselor, the Holy Spirit. Consider the significance of those words. The disciples had walked with Jesus, heard his teaching, and witnessed his miracles. Yet Jesus told them that his departure would be for their good because he would send the Holy Spirit. This does not diminish the importance of Christ’s earthly presence. Rather, it reveals how essential the Spirit’s coming would be to God’s saving plan. Jesus considered the sending of the Holy Spirit so important that he described his own departure as an advantage to his disciples. Through the Spirit, Christ would continue his work among his people, strengthening them, guiding them in truth, and empowering them to bear witness to him (John 14:16–17; 16:7–15).

The Spirit Has Been Given to Those Who Belong to Christ

Every person who genuinely belongs to Jesus Christ has received the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13–14). His presence is not a special privilege reserved for unusually mature Christians or those who have experienced remarkable spiritual events. The Holy Spirit dwells in every true believer, bringing God’s presence into everyday Christian life. We do not need to earn his presence through extraordinary devotion, discover a particular spiritual gift, or demonstrate an emotional experience to prove that he belongs to us. The Spirit is God’s gracious gift to those who belong to Christ, and his presence reminds us that we have not been left to follow Jesus through human strength alone.

The Spirit Is Transforming and Equipping Us

The Holy Spirit does not leave believers unchanged. He works within us to produce holiness, strengthen our faith, help us resist sin, and cultivate the fruit described in Galatians 5:22–23. This transformation is often gradual, involving repentance, obedience, prayer, and continued dependence upon God’s grace. Spiritual maturity is not measured by how impressive someone appears, but by a life increasingly shaped by Christlike love and holiness. The Spirit also distributes gifts for the good of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7–11). Some believers serve in visible ministries, while others faithfully encourage, help, teach, or care for people in quieter ways. These gifts are entrusted to us, not owned as personal achievements. We are responsible for using them faithfully, humbly, and for God’s glory.

The Spirit Is the Promise of What Is Coming

Although the Spirit lives within believers now, we have not yet experienced everything God has promised. Christians still face weakness, suffering, temptation, and death. Yet Scripture describes the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14) and the firstfruits of the redemption we eagerly await (Romans 8:23). His presence assures believers that God’s work is not limited to improving our present circumstances. He is preparing us for the day when Christ returns, our bodies are raised, and we experience the fullness of life in God’s renewed creation. The same Spirit who strengthens us today gives us confidence that God will faithfully complete what he has promised.

These truths should shape how we approach the Christian life. We must neither neglect the Holy Spirit nor make extraordinary experiences the measure of genuine faith. Instead, we should depend upon him daily, test our understanding against Scripture, pursue the fruit he produces, and faithfully use whatever gifts he provides. The Spirit does not draw attention away from Jesus Christ. As Jesus explained in John 16:14, the Spirit glorifies him. A life increasingly guided by the Holy Spirit will therefore become a life increasingly devoted to Christ.

If you are still exploring Christianity, remember that the Holy Spirit is not a spiritual power you must learn to obtain before coming to Jesus. Christ calls you to repent, believe the gospel, and follow him. Those who truly belong to Christ receive the Spirit as God’s gracious gift, not as a reward for having already become spiritually mature.

Learning to Follow Jesus In The Spirit

The command to walk by the Spirit comes from the apostle Paul in Galatians 5. It is an authoritative apostolic instruction explaining how believers should live in light of Christ’s saving work.

Jesus himself commanded his disciples to love him, keep his commandments, and love one another. In John 14, he connected this obedience with the promised ministry of the Holy Spirit. Paul is not introducing a different Christian life. He is explaining how followers of Jesus live faithfully through the Spirit whom Christ has given.

Walking With Christ in Ordinary Moments

Imagine beginning your day with a difficult responsibility ahead of you. Perhaps you already feel worried, frustrated, or impatient.

You can turn to God in prayer, acknowledge your concerns, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember and practice Christ’s teaching. Never feel that you need to create an unusual spiritual atmosphere. You are simply bringing your circumstances before the Lord.

Later, someone tests your patience. You remember that kindness and self-control belong to the Spirit’s fruit. Rather than immediately reacting from resentment, you ask Christ for help and choose a response that reflects his commands.

In the evening, you recognize that you also failed in some ways. You can confess those failures honestly, trust the sufficiency of Christ’s saving work, and ask for continued growth. Repentance brings sin into the light rather than hiding it or treating it as harmless.

These ordinary moments are opportunities to walk consciously with God. Over time, the Spirit forms Christian character through our continuing dependence and obedience.

This does not mean that prayer guarantees immediate victory over every struggle. Some habits require sustained repentance, careful boundaries, pastoral accountability, or qualified professional support. The Spirit’s presence never removes our responsibility to seek wise help when necessary.

Yet we do not face Christian growth as though we were spiritually alone. The Lord who calls us to obey has also given his Spirit.

Let the Spirit’s Fruit Bless Someone Else

The fruit of the Spirit is not given merely so that we can feel spiritually mature. Love, patience, kindness, and faithfulness should become visible in the way we treat others.

Perhaps someone in your family needs a gentler response. A fellow church member might need encouragement, while a neighbor could benefit from practical help or a listening ear. You may also have an opportunity to explain gently how Jesus has changed the way you approach a difficult situation.

You do not need an impressive ministry opportunity or a conversion quota. Ask how the love of Christ might become visible through your conduct toward someone already in your life.

The Spirit who draws believers toward Jesus also teaches them to love the people Jesus loves. This outward service belongs to our discipleship now, not merely after completing the course.

For the Discipler: Walking Through This Step Together

Before You Meet | Read Galatians 5:13–26 carefully, along with John 16:5–15 and 1 Corinthians 12:4–13. Recall Romans 8:1–17 from Step Three, especially the Spirit’s indwelling presence and the believer’s adoption into God’s family. Notice how the Spirit produces Christlike character, gives gifts for the common good, and directs attention toward Jesus. Review the Good Way Galatians 5 commentary if helpful. Prepare to explain the Trinity, spiritual fruit, and discernment in ordinary language. Pray for the learner and approach the meeting as a fellow disciple rather than an examiner.

During the Meeting | Begin by reading the principal passage together. Ask what Paul means by Christian freedom and why he contrasts the flesh with the Spirit. Explore the fruit of the Spirit as God’s transforming work rather than a self-rating exercise. Discuss an everyday example of patience or kindness, and connect it to Christ’s prior grace. Give some of your own examples here. Allow honest questions and close with prayer, without requiring the learner to pray aloud.

What to Watch For | Some learners may believe they lack the Spirit because they have never experienced an unusual spiritual event. Others may interpret every strong emotion as divine guidance. Return gently to Scripture without demanding private disclosures or demonstrations of spiritual gifts. Respect legitimate Christian differences. Explore them openly.

Before Moving Forward | Invite the learner to explain who the Holy Spirit is, how spiritual fruit differs from religious performance, and how Scripture guides discernment. Together identify one suitable opportunity for loving service and a healthy connection to church life. Prepare to examine repentance and practical holiness in Step Eight, emphasizing that these responses begin with grace.

Discuss Together

Read the relevant passages again as needed. Discuss these questions openly with your discipler, or consider them in writing if you are studying independently.

1. Spiritual Gifts: According to 1 Corinthians 12:4–13, why does the Holy Spirit give different gifts to believers? How should this affect Christians who feel unimportant or who compare their abilities with those of others? What are your own gifts?
2. Testing a Spiritual Claim: Suppose someone says, “The Holy Spirit told me to make this decision,” but that decision could neglect an important responsibility. How would you evaluate that claim using Scripture, prayer, wise Christian counsel, and responsible consideration of the circumstances?
3. Freedom Through the Spirit: What does Paul mean by Christian freedom in Galatians 5:13–15? How is freedom to love and serve different from either earning God’s favor or assuming our behavior no longer matters?
4. The Spirit Points to Christ: How does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit’s ministry in John 16:5–15? Why is it important that the Spirit glorifies Jesus rather than drawing attention away from him?
5. The Fruit of the Spirit: What distinguishes the deeds of the flesh from the fruit of the Spirit? Why should we understand spiritual fruit as evidence of God’s transforming work rather than a list of personal achievements?
6. Depending on the Spirit Daily: Think about an ordinary relationship in which patience, kindness, or self-control is difficult. What might it look like to depend upon the Spirit and respond faithfully to Christ? You do not need to share private details.
7. The Spirit and Assurance: How does Romans 8 help us understand Christian assurance? Why should our confidence rest in Christ and God’s promises rather than requiring unusual spiritual experiences?

Put It Into Practice

These activities are opportunities to receive God’s Word, grow in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, and put Christ’s love into practice.

Return to Galatians 5 in Prayer

Read Galatians 5:13–26 several times during the coming week. As you reflect on the passage, pay attention to Paul’s description of walking by the Spirit, the works of the flesh, and the fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in believers. Pray specifically for the fruit of the Spirit throughout the week.

During a quiet moment, thank God for the new life He has given you through Jesus Christ. Confess any sin you recognize, and ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen your desire to walk in truth, love, and obedience. Consider which aspects of the Spirit’s fruit are especially relevant to your present circumstances.

You may find it helpful to return to this passage at the end of an ordinary day. Rather than counting successes or failures, reflect on God’s faithfulness and your continuing dependence upon Him. If you have a discipler, share one observation from the passage and discuss how walking by the Spirit differs from attempting to produce holiness through self-effort.

Respond With Spirit-Dependent Love

Think of one relationship or situation in which patience, kindness, gentleness, or self-control would be a blessing to another person. This might involve a family member, coworker, neighbor, fellow believer, or someone with whom you have experienced disagreement.

Before responding, spend a moment in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your attitude and actions, and remember a relevant command or example from Jesus’ teaching. Then choose one wise and practical response, such as listening carefully, speaking kindly, offering assistance, exercising patience, or refusing to retaliate when frustrated.

Choose a situation where you can respond safely and appropriately. Christian love does not require remaining in abusive circumstances, tolerating mistreatment, or exposing yourself or others to unnecessary danger.

Afterward, consider what the experience taught you about depending upon the Spirit. Remember that spiritual growth is not demonstrated by flawless performance, but through a continuing life of faith, repentance, and obedience to Christ.

Explore Serving Within Christ’s Church or a Local Mission Organization

Consider how the Holy Spirit equips believers to encourage, strengthen, and serve one another within the body of Christ. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4–27 and reflect on Paul’s teaching that every member of the church has value and contributes to the well-being of the whole body.

If you participate in a local congregation or organization, consider speaking with a pastor, ministry leader, or trusted Christian about opportunities to serve. You might help with a practical need, encourage another believer, participate in a ministry, or offer your abilities where assistance is needed. You do not need to identify a particular spiritual gift before beginning to love and serve others.

If you are not yet connected to a local organization, consider taking an initial step toward finding healthy Christian fellowship where Scripture is faithfully taught and believers encourage one another toward maturity in Christ or are on mission locally for Christ.

If you have a discipler, discuss how spiritual gifts and everyday acts of service relate to the Holy Spirit’s work in the church.

If You Are Studying Alone

You can study this lesson meaningfully without a mentor. Read Galatians 5:13–26, John 16:5–15, and 1 Corinthians 12:4–13. Reflect on the discussion questions, pray about what you are learning, and consider one opportunity to practice Spirit-dependent love or service. Remember that you do not need an unusual spiritual experience to demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is at work. The goal is to keep following Christ faithfully through the Spirit’s help.

If you have questions about spiritual gifts, Christian assurance, or how to recognize the Spirit’s guidance, consider speaking with a trustworthy pastor or mature Christian. Independent study can be valuable, but life in the Spirit is meant to be lived among God’s people and the lost.

Suggested Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to save sinners and bring us into fellowship with you. Thank you that those who belong to him are not left to live the Christian life through their own strength. Holy Spirit, I acknowledge that you are God, and I need your help. Teach me to know Jesus more deeply, understand his Word, and recognize the things in my life that do not honor him.

Where I am impatient, teach me patience. If I am selfish, form love in me. Where I am afraid, help me remember God’s promises. Where I am tempted, strengthen me to turn away from sin and choose what is right. Keep me from pride, spiritual comparison, and the desire to impress others. Give me wisdom to recognize your guidance through Scripture, prayer, and faithful Christian counsel.

Help me use whatever you have given me to encourage and serve others. Teach me to walk with Christ in ordinary moments, trusting his grace and obeying his Word. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Scripture to Remember

Galatians 5:16 (WEBU):

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.

This verse reminds us that Christian holiness does not come through independent human strength. Paul calls believers to a continuing life of dependence upon the Holy Spirit, who leads them away from sin and toward obedience to Christ.

Memorize the verse if it is helpful, but take time to understand its meaning. Return to it when you need to remember where the strength for Christian living comes from.

Continue Studying With Good Way

Begin with the biblical passages assigned in this lesson. After reading them for yourself, these Good Way Library resources can deepen your understanding.

• Galatians 5 Commentary: Freedom, Spirit, and Love — The primary companion commentary for Step Seven. Its walkthrough explains Christian freedom, the conflict between flesh and Spirit, and the fruit produced by the Spirit. The Application and Leading sections are useful for discussing everyday obedience and relationships.
• Romans 8 Commentary: Life in the Spirit — Explores the Spirit’s indwelling presence, the believer’s adoption as God’s child, freedom from condemnation, and future resurrection. Use this study to understand how Christian assurance rests upon God’s saving work in Christ.
• Acts 2 Commentary: Pentecost and the Spirit — Explains the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter’s proclamation of the risen Christ, and the formation of the earliest Christian community. It connects the Spirit’s work with gospel witness, repentance, baptism, fellowship, and church life.
• Nicene Creed Explained: Full Text, History, Trinity, and Scripture — Explores historic Christian teaching about the Trinity, including the divine personhood of the Holy Spirit. This study helps connect the Spirit’s ministry with the church’s longstanding confession of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

For additional Bible study, visit The Good Way Commentary Library. You can explore the entire Bible through chapter-by-chapter explanations, then return to Scripture to examine what you have learned.

Before the Next Step

Walking by the Spirit is not a spiritual achievement we complete once and leave behind. It remains part of our continuing relationship with Jesus Christ.

As you finish this lesson, remember that the Holy Spirit does not ask you to produce holiness independently. He dwells in those who belong to Christ, and his work leads believers toward greater love, truth, and obedience.

That includes learning to recognize and turn away from sin. The Christian life is not passive, and grace never makes repentance unnecessary. Instead, the Spirit teaches us to live according to the new identity Christ has given.

In Step 8: Put Off the Old, Put On the New, we will study Ephesians 4:17–32 and consider what repentance and practical holiness look like in everyday life. We will explore why Christians must put away sinful patterns, how God renews our thinking, and what it means to replace destructive conduct with truthfulness, kindness, forgiveness, and love.

Most importantly, we will see that repentance is not an attempt to earn the salvation Christ provides. It is part of learning to live according to the new life he gives.

Before beginning Step Eight, read Ephesians 4:17–32. Notice how Paul connects the believer’s new identity in Christ with practical commands for daily conduct.

Continue walking with Jesus; always trust the Holy Spirit who helps his people follow him.