Note 6 at Gal. 5:16: How do you walk in the Spirit? The Greek word that was translated "walk" is PERIPATEO, which means "to tread all around, i.e. walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow" (Strong-see note 10 at Rom. 8:4, p. 794). The figurative meaning is what Paul is referring to here. He is speaking of living by, conducting our actions according to, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit (see note 12 at v. 18, p. 1083).

The way we do this is through living by, conducting our actions according to, and following the leading of the Word of God as quickened to us by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God agree perfectly because the Holy Spirit is the one who inspired the written Word of God (2 Pet. 1:21).

The Spirit is truth (1 Jn. 5:6) and God's Word is truth (Jn. 17:17). The Word of God is spirit and life (Jn. 6:63). Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one (1 Jn. 5:7), and Jesus was the Word of God made flesh (Jn. 1:1-3, 14).

When a person walks according to the spirit of God's Word (see note 5 at Mk. 2:27, p. 160), then he is walking in the Spirit. Anyone who walks contrary to God's Word is not in the Spirit.

So, walking in the true revelation knowledge (see note 9 at Jn. 6:45, p. 243; see note 1 at Lk. 2:26, p. 56) of God's Word, as quickened to us by the Holy Spirit, is the way we walk in the Spirit. When we do that, we reap the benefits promised in this verse (see note 7 at this verse, below).

Note 7 at Gal. 5:16: The deliverance from sin and its influence does not come from ourselves. This can only be achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit (see note 1 at Rom. 8:1, p. 791). When we let the Holy Spirit control us, He breaks the power of the flesh (see note 3 at Rom. 7:18, p. 790). One of the true differences between Christianity and other religions is that God provides us with His power through the Holy Spirit to enable us to perform His will. Other religions preach that God will accept us in proportion to how we overcome sin. What a difference!

Note 8 at Gal. 5:16: It is important to notice what this verse does not say. Denying the flesh will not produce walking in the Spirit, but walking in the Spirit will produce denying of the flesh (see note 3 at Rom. 7:18, p. 790). This is a subtle difference to some, but the difference is truly profound.

As a whole, false religions teach that as we overcome our flesh, then there is a noticeable increase in the presence and power of God in our lives. That was what the Pharisees of Jesus' day and these legalistic Jews of Paul's day taught. It's just the opposite that is true. As we experience more of the presence and power of the Spirit of God, then the influence of the flesh is diminished. Victory must come in this order. We don't get the Spirit as the result of overcoming the flesh, but the overcoming of the flesh is the result of having the Spirit.

It's similar to how you fill a dark room with light. You don't shovel out the darkness and then light comes. No! You simply turn on the light and darkness flees. Much of religion is preaching to us to stop sinning (get rid of the darkness) and then the Holy Spirit will come and empower us (the light will come). That's not the way it works. Man can no more get rid of the power of the flesh on his own than he can get rid of the power of darkness without light. We have to receive the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives by grace and then that union with the Holy Spirit breaks the power of the flesh.

So, the key to breaking the dominion of the flesh is to appropriate the power of the Spirit through faith while the flesh is still giving us problems. Those who are waiting on the Spirit to come after they have subdued the flesh will be waiting as long as the man who is trying to get rid of all the darkness so the light can come.