Walking in Step with the Spirit

by Ryan McCoy*

Occasionally, we will feature devotionals written by believers living the Epic Life!

"Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."  

Romans 8:5-6  

A few days ago, I was pondering this scripture and thinking of its implications in my life--how there was once a time in my life when sin had complete authority over my actions and thoughts. Apart from Gods redemptive work I was unable to please Him, nor was I able to submit to His law. At the time I believed I had peace with my sin until my conversion to Christ. From that moment on the Holy Spirit convicted me, giving me a new heart, a heart that no longer could walk peacefully while loving the things of the flesh.

 Even though I've been a believer for many years, I still have to deal with making daily choices to either please my flesh or the Spirit.  For example, recently while driving, a vehicle pulled out into traffic without looking and almost hit me and my pregnant wife. The driver was not only careless with what they had done but also rude about it by failing to even acknowledge their error by arrogantly staring at me. I instantly became angry and began gesturing to the driver my disgust with swearing and hand waving. Immediately I knew I grieved the Holy Spirit and I ought to do better as an ambassador of Christ. This conviction is the ongoing sanctifying work that God does in all His children until we get to Heaven.  

In Romans 8 Apostle Paul addresses the important issue on where our heart lies and what governs these decisions. We who are in Christ must be aware of the dichotomy of the flesh and the spirit. Sometimes we desire what the world desires instead of desiring what God desires. We easily fear men and succumb to what they think of us rather than fearing the Lord and aiming to please Him above all.

Do we choose our sin over our obedience to Christ? When suffering, do we run to the world for answers or to our loving Father and his counsel? 

Because of Christ we are no longer slaves to sin and spiritually dead. We have been delivered, no longer having a mind governed by flesh that leads to death, but a mind governed by the Spirit who gives life and peace! Every day, we make choices in our lives. When we make decisions to please our flesh, we can sense a lack of peace and joy. But when we choose to please God in everyday decisions, we reap the fruit of His joy and peace.   

Today, let us be encouraged and reminded of His Spirit who lives in us. In all things let us strive to be holy as He is holy, putting into practice the things of God. Let’s spend more time in God's Word, pray for others, serve where God is leading and honor God in the decisions we make. Every day when we rise, we rise by the grace of God who gives us life and the power to walk in step with His Spirit.

Let us set our minds on things that honor God and walk in step with the Holy Spirit throughout the day!   

In 2024, the Ryan and Tiffany experienced the tragic and devastating loss of their precious newborn son, Azuriah. Yet God was so merciful and gracious to give them the desire of their hearts recently ~ their beautiful daughter, Kai’a!