This is an apt follow-up for the blog, "Connecting the Dots". This excerpt is taken from Book 6, Studies on Walking in the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit: Sequence and Consequence
Here is a general algorithm (step-by-step sequence) for walking in the Spirit:
1. A believer sins, putting the sinful nature in charge.
2. The sinful nature produces sin, legalism, and/or self-dependence in the life of the believer.
3. Divine discipline kicks in and the soul is in anguish, often without knowing why. This goes on until sins are confessed.
4. Upon confession, the control of the Holy Spirit is restored, but the sinful nature is outraged at the loss of his control over the believer.
5. The sinful nature teams up with Satan and the world to plot the overthrow of the Spirit's control and return the believer to sin (and/or legalism). The believer can be drawn into sin, in which case the power of the Spirit is neutralized. This entire process takes about a nanosecond, but the effects may last a long time.
6. The believer confesses sins again at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, and the Spirit moves back into authority in the heart of the believer.
7. While the believer is filled with the Spirit, he is able to grow spiritually, a process accelerated by the intake of Scripture and the endurance of tests brought on or allowed by God.
8. Learning and believing Scripture while in fellowship builds the believer's faith, which sustains a walk in the Spirit for longer and longer periods of time.
9. The believer's maturity continues to build by confessing, praying, studying, trusting, and enduring God's training. This is also aided by edification from other believers.
10. The Holy Spirit produces righteousness through the believer, which reflects the character of Christ...and demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit.
11. Rewards are accumulated in heaven for the believer for acts done under the control of the Spirit.
12. The life of the believer glorifies Christ, satisfies the Holy Spirit, and honors the Father.
This is the path we are intended to walk. This is the "walk in the Spirit".
Walking in the Spirit: Sequence and Consequence
Here is a general algorithm (step-by-step sequence) for walking in the Spirit:
1. A believer sins, putting the sinful nature in charge.
2. The sinful nature produces sin, legalism, and/or self-dependence in the life of the believer.
3. Divine discipline kicks in and the soul is in anguish, often without knowing why. This goes on until sins are confessed.
4. Upon confession, the control of the Holy Spirit is restored, but the sinful nature is outraged at the loss of his control over the believer.
5. The sinful nature teams up with Satan and the world to plot the overthrow of the Spirit's control and return the believer to sin (and/or legalism). The believer can be drawn into sin, in which case the power of the Spirit is neutralized. This entire process takes about a nanosecond, but the effects may last a long time.
6. The believer confesses sins again at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, and the Spirit moves back into authority in the heart of the believer.
7. While the believer is filled with the Spirit, he is able to grow spiritually, a process accelerated by the intake of Scripture and the endurance of tests brought on or allowed by God.
8. Learning and believing Scripture while in fellowship builds the believer's faith, which sustains a walk in the Spirit for longer and longer periods of time.
9. The believer's maturity continues to build by confessing, praying, studying, trusting, and enduring God's training. This is also aided by edification from other believers.
10. The Holy Spirit produces righteousness through the believer, which reflects the character of Christ...and demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit.
11. Rewards are accumulated in heaven for the believer for acts done under the control of the Spirit.
12. The life of the believer glorifies Christ, satisfies the Holy Spirit, and honors the Father.
This is the path we are intended to walk. This is the "walk in the Spirit".
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