How Jesus Walked in the Spirit—and How We Can Too
Jesus’ Shocking Humility
Jesus lived a holy life of love and obedience to the Father—not by leveraging His divine power, but by listening to the Father and yielding to the Spirit.
He said so Himself: “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing…” (John 5:19).
Jesus didn’t operate on His own initiative. He wasn’t “just being Jesus.” When He preached, cast out demons, washed His disciples’ feet, or flipped the money-changers’ tables, He was doing the Father’s will.
Another time, He said:
“I do nothing on My own initiative… but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone.” (John 8:28-29)
Who hasn’t left Him alone? The Father.
How Jesus Walked in the Spirit
That’s key. The focus of Jesus’ relationship wasn’t the Holy Spirit but the Father. “He who sent Me is with Me.” Yet, as Jesus loved and served the Father, the Holy Spirit empowered Him.
The focus of Jesus’ relationship wasn’t the Holy Spirit but the Father. Yet, as Jesus loved and served the Father, the Holy Spirit empowered Him.
Similarly, our relationship is with the Father through the Son by the same Holy Spirit who led Christ.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God…?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
So, how can we live more like Jesus did—led by the Spirit?
It Starts with Relationship
Let’s not overcomplicate it. We start with relationship. Jesus tells us:
“Abide in Me, and I in you… Abide in My love just as I abide in the Father’s love.” (John 15:4,10)
Being led by the Spirit happens as we delight in Christ and our relationship with God.
Abiding means staying close. To be Spirit-led, we don’t chase spiritual highs or being “slain in the Spirit,” but we trust God’s love and love the Father and the Son. Being led by the Spirit happens as we delight in Christ and our relationship with God.
Being led by the Spirit doesn’t always feel spiritual.
Being led by the Spirit doesn’t mean automatic victory.
Paul doesn’t highlight spiritual fireworks but fruit! The fruit of the Spirit is love, patience, gentleness, and self-control. It is not all that flashy, but it’s super helpful and reflective of Christ.
Paul doesn’t highlight spiritual fireworks but fruit! The fruit of the Spirit is love, patience, gentleness, and self-control.
For the Skeptics
If you’re skeptical, I get it. Many have asked for guidance, waited for a word, longed for confirmation, and heard nothing. Or maybe we thought we did, but later realized it was just our own heart talking. Jeremiah wasn’t joking: “The heart is deceitful above all things.”
Spiritual Discernment
So, how do we know it’s the Spirit, not just our flesh or cultural programming? Here are three good filters:
1. God’s Word
Does this sense or idea align with Scripture, especially the New Testament?
If something contradicts the Bible—especially what the apostles teach about Christian living, love, and holiness—it’s not from the Spirit.
If something contradicts the Bible—especially what the apostles teach about Christian living, love, and holiness—it’s not from the Spirit.
2. God’s Character
Does it reflect the nature of God—especially as revealed in Jesus?
Does it reflect truth and love? Will it build up others? Does it sound like Jesus?
Not every decision has a clear moral answer. Choosing between job offers or cities isn’t always right vs. wrong. But you can still pray, seek His peace, and trust He’ll lead—even if He’s more open than specific. He’s not trying to trick you.
But He’s very specific regarding truth, love, humility, and godliness.
3. God’s People
Don’t do this alone. Spirit-led living is not a solo project.
God puts us in a community—the Church—for our good. He matures us, protects us, and leads us in the context of our church family.
So ask wise, biblical, Jesus-loving friends. Does this pass their smell test? Does it align with church history and how the Spirit has worked in other believers?
At the end of the day, we need humility. We don’t always know for sure. Sometimes, the Spirit’s leading is crystal clear. Other times, it’s a quiet nudge—or even silence.
But we can be sure that if you’re in Christ, the same Spirit who led and empowered Jesus is in you. So love the Father and the Son, and let the Spirit lead.