“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Our goal as Christians is to please our heavenly Father. As great and straightforward as that may sound, it is not easy.

Our flesh tends to tempt us toward what displeases God. We often try to resist with our strength—logic, reasoning, and effort—but ultimately fail.

However, the Bible tells us that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). Our remedy for overcoming the flesh and living for God is to walk by the Spirit.

What does that mean? What does that look like?

Feed on Godly Things

Our flesh and spirit are in constant battle. The winner is determined by which we decide to feed.

We are instructed to guard our hearts because it is our life’s foundation and determine its course. Thus, to strengthen our spirit, we need to consume what gives life:

1. The Word of God: You cannot be led by the Spirit if you don’t know His Voice. Read the Word. Meditate on it day and night. Inscribe Its precepts on your heart. It is the Bread of Life. If you don’t desire to do so, do it despite that, and ask God to change your heart and perspective.
2. Edifying Messages: God speaks through His people. Listen to Biblically sound messages and participate in Bible study. Replace secular content with faith-based ones. Choose edifying media over gossip and hate-filled ones.
3. Worship and Praise Songs: “… speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:19
4. Godly Community: Surround yourself with other Christians. We are not meant to do life alone. Get planted in a local church. Seek accountability. Get discipled.

Get as close to the things of God as possible. And as it says in Romans 12:2, your mind will be renewed, and you won’t conform to this world’s pattern.

Continually Seek God

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

The more we want to avoid something, the more we focus on it, and the more present it becomes. 

This is true when it comes to overcoming sin. We often find ourselves in an unending cycle of brokenness. Trying to stop rarely, if ever, helps.

Instead, we should turn our focus to God.

Light and darkness cannot cohabitate (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Thus, being in the Presence of God and filled with His love ultimately drives out sin.

When we seek God, He will supply all our needs, including our need to be free of sin and do His will.

Instead of focusing on “fighting” the flesh, seek God. Pursue Him. Chase after Him.

Study Christ’s Character

Ultimately, we are meant to be like Christ (Philippians 2:5-8). Yet, we don’t often know what that means. So it makes sense to be intentional about understanding who Jesus is:

• His Actions and Choices: How does Jesus treat those who are weak, sinful, or suffering; respond to people who misunderstand or oppose Him; balance truth and love?
• His Words: How does Jesus teach or correct people? What does He emphasize in His conversations? How does He use Scripture when He speaks?
• His Emotions: How does Christ express His emotions? What does His emotional response teach us about godly compassion, anger, grief, or joy?
• His Relationships: How does Jesus interact with His disciples? How does He approach strangers, outsiders, or enemies? How does He honor the Father in His relationships with others?
• His Inner Life: How does Jesus model humility and dependence on God? How does he handle temptation, weariness, or suffering?

As we study Christ’s character, we will see where we fall short and become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Surrender Your Will to Walk by the Spirit

We are governed either by our flesh or the Holy Spirit. They are in conflict with each other, so that we are not to do whatever we want (Galatians 5:17).

To please God, we are to refuse and distance ourselves from anything outside His will and surrender to the influence of His Spirit.

Surrendering means giving yourself entirely to Christ’s Lordship. It means recognizing Him as your Master and aiming to please Him. 

Surrendering is letting go of our “Self” and submitting to God’s leading. It is trusting God and choosing His wisdom over our limited one.

It is desiring God over everything else. It is substituting any fleshly gains for heavenly rewards. 

It is setting our minds on the things above (Colossians 3:2).

Obey

Walking in the Spirit means discerning His voice and obeying Him. You may recognize that God is speaking, but are you listening? What do you do with what He tells you?

The Holy Spirit brings about a change in us. But it is only possible through our obedience.

We may have an extensive knowledge or understanding of the Word of God, but if we don’t apply it, what good will it serve?

Obedience is what gets you from carnal to spiritual, from thirsty to satisfied, from slavery to your flesh to submission to Christ, from emptiness to fulfillment.

When the Holy Spirit speaks or nudges you in a direction, listen and obey.

Conclusion

How do we know that we are walking in God’s will?

2 Peter 1:3 tells us that His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. That power is manifested through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in us.

He is our helper, our teacher, our guide. He will instruct us in the way we should go (Psalm 32:8).

As we continue to practice obedience, we will see less of the works of the flesh and more of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-23).

Start seeking God, and be responsive to His leading.