Between the flesh, this fallen world system, and Satan himself, we face real hindrances to spiritual growth, according to Pastor Chuck Smith. Spiritual growth is a choice each of us must make daily, but when we choose to walk in the Spirit, the practical results can be breathtakingly beautiful. Follow along in our continuing series taken from Chuck’s book, Why Grace Changes Everything.

Understanding the Word

It is interesting to see how some people who have yet to receive the Lord end up incredibly discouraged when they attempt to read the Bible. They see the tremendous influence the Scriptures have had on the lives of millions and its impact on western civilization, and they want to understand what it has to say.

This continuing revelatory ministry of the Spirit is vital. It is amazing how often I can read through a chapter of Scripture and get nothing out of it. I find myself coming to the end of the chapter and saying to myself, “Now what was it that I just read?” At this point I will often stop and pray, “Lord, surely this chapter has something to say to me. Please open my understanding and allow Your Spirit to minister to me from Your Word.” Then as I reread the chapter, I am amazed at the truth that breaks forth on my heart.

During our Sunday morning services at Calvary we usually have a responsive reading from the Psalms. By our third service, I end up seeing things in the Scripture text that hadn't occurred to me in our first hour. One of the verses will begin to minister to me in a very special and powerful way. This experience of being led into all truth is a vivid part of what it means to walk in the Spirit.

Press On!

Between the flesh, this fallen world system, and Satan himself, we face real hindrances to spiritual growth. But the counsel of Scripture is to press on for the prize of the high calling of God which is in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Jesus said, “Strive to enter in at the [narrow] gate” (Luke 13:24). The Greek word translated “strive” is agmonizomai, from which we get our English word “agonize.” Make no mistake; it isn't easy or natural to walk in the Spirit. It takes genuine effort, devotion, and moment-by-moment concentration.

It can't be overemphasized that this is a choice each of us must make daily. When we choose to walk in the Spirit, the practical results can be breathtakingly beautiful. We will enjoy a wonderful depth and consistency in our fellowship with God. As the apostle John observed, If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7, KJV).

What's especially exciting about fellowship with God is that the more we experience it, the more we desire it. The more we are personally touched by the peace and fulfillment of intimate communion with the Father, the harder it is to live without it. When we find ourselves out of fellowship, an inner emptiness calls us back to prayer and the Word.

As we walk in the Spirit, we begin to enjoy the tremendous benefits of a close relationship with God. We feel a conscious sense of joy welling up within our hearts. We can whistle while we face the aggravating responsibilities of life, because even in the midst of a dirty job, our joy is in the Lord. There is a sense of peace, a depth of understanding, a patience, a kindness, and a gentleness that comes from walking in the Spirit. There is a strength and power to cope with the persistent desires of the flesh. Suddenly, we are able to see the big picture and find the wisdom to deal with our fallen nature in a realistic and rational way. As Paul concluded, To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6, KJV).

How could we fail to be drawn with all our hearts to the glorious new life, which God freely offers to us in His grace? A life strengthened by the Spirit—with joy, love, and peace flowing through us—is exactly what we passionately desire.

But in order to experience this blessing, we must choose to walk in the Spirit. We must come to God and ask Him to plant a great desire for prayer, for time in the Word, and for fellowship with Jesus in our hearts. We must pray for the grace to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. It is then that we will know tremendous victory over our most besetting sins, and it is then that the Spirit of God is able to use us in the most extraordinary ways. Even when all we can do is blubber.

Follow the series, “Grace: One Step at a Time” at Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

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