“What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?”—she asked. She was a young lady who had just started attending the church and was not yet used to some expressions. So the pastor answered, “It means to be in the spirit of faith.” She nodded, as though she had understood his simple and, at the same time, complex explanation. Still confused, she went home and prayed, but nothing happened.

One day, one of her co-workers lied about her, getting her in trouble with her manager. She became so frustrated that she took her belongings and, without asking her manager’s permission, she went home early. On the bus, she cried and asked God why He had allowed all that to happen; after all, she was being faithful to Him for the past two months, which was when she had converted. All she could think of was, “Walk in the spirit…”

“But, Lord, how can I walk in the spirit if I don’t know what it means?” That was when, without a word, God spoke clearly to her. She had to walk in the spirit when the going got tough. That meant she had to displease herself and obey the voice of faith. Then she got off the bus, went back to work and apologised to her manager for her bad behaviour. Her manager was so impressed that she decided to forget everything that had been said about her. Not only did she show who she really was, but she was eventually promoted to manager as well.

This is what happens every day to people who “walk in the spirit”. Everyone has problems, but if we don’t use our faith to overcome them, we end up using our emotions, which always cause even bigger problems. For example, when your husband says something that you don’t like, you answer back in the same manner and start an argument; when you find out that someone gossiped about you, without thinking twice, you demand an explanation, making things even worse; or you make a scene in public because you were not treated well in a shop.

To walk in the spirit is a daily commitment. When we are in spirit, we behave differently from other people, as though we were untouchable or above being involved with the little things of this world. We learn to bite our tongue, ignore certain things, and move on.

People who walk in the spirit are always in control of their emotions. Those who are in the spirit also walk in it. So if you are in the spirit, walk in the spirit.

Cristiane Cardoso