I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16

All believers are filled with the Spirit of God since no one can call Jesus “Lord” except by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:3). Being filled with the Spirit does not guarantee obedience. This is why Paul calls believers to “walk in the Spirit”. As believers walk in the Spirit they will have victory over the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Successful walking in the Spirit consists of three steps.

First, Recognizing the Reality of the Conflict. We must understand that there is a war going on inside of every believer as the Spirit and the flesh war against one another (Galatians 5:17).

Second, Saying “Yes” to the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is not accomplished by brute determination. That will only lead to pride when one temporarily succeeds, followed by discouragement when one fails. Victory is not attained by trying harder so much as by surrendering more and by abiding in Christ and in His Word (John 15:7-8).

Third, Saying “No” to the Flesh. Although walking in the Spirit is not accomplished by brute determination, we are called to deny ourselves, that is our flesh (Matthew 16:24). A biblical picture of the relationship between saying ‘yes’ to the Spirit and ‘no’ to the flesh is seen in Paul’s words about putting off the old self and putting on the new self (Colossians 3:9-10). (See also Ephesians 4:20-24.)

Walking in the Spirit, which is the pathway to sanctification, requires our cooperation with the indwelling Holy Spirit. There is no victory if we are irresponsible to obey the Lord. Neither is there any victory apart from the supernatural empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

Because He always does His part: When we fail, the fault is ours. When we succeed, all glory is His.