Dear Judy,

I’ve been hearing some talks about walking in the flesh vs. walking in the Spirit. Can you enlighten me as to what this really means? What’s the difference? Thanks.

December is an excellent time to ask this question because a lot of people let their flesh rule and reign during the Christmas season!

The Bible has a lot to say about the flesh vs. the Spirit. Walking in the flesh is allowing our human nature or impulses to control our path through life which is full of making decisions. “If it feels good, do it!” Walking in the Spirit is allowing our new spirit nature to control our path through life and our decision making.

When we give our life to Christ, scripture says in Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. We live in a flesh body but now we are to live by God’s principles by faith. We do not allow our human nature or impulses to rule and direct us. We now belong to the Lord, and we must live accordingly.

Paul made it very clear in the book of Romans about carnality or fleshly minds and fleshly living or doing things my own way which is contrary to the way of the Lord.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5   

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6  

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Romans 8:9  

We could go on and on in comparing the flesh (our human nature) and the spirit nature, but if we belong to Christ, the Holy Spirit will help us stay away from the fleshly path with its wrong ways and wrong decisions. We’ll be on one side or the other — it’s our choice. Hope this helps

Do you have a question? Send your questions to Judy Baus, baus1@juno.com