We live in a world that’s constantly changing — culturally, politically, and even spiritually. And often, the question arises: How do we walk faithfully in such a shifting world?
The answer, according to Scripture, is simple — yet deeply transformative:
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
But walking by the Spirit doesn’t always “look the same” from age to age. Don’t take the stones yet, hear me out.
It doesn’t always match our expectations of what “spiritual” should look like.
But Living by the Spirit ALWAYS means letting love and grace shape our actions — not pride, fear, or legalism.
What It Means to Live by the Spirit
When you live by the Spirit, you live according to the nature of God Himself.
That means:
- You express love that seeks others’ good, not your own.
- You show grace to those who fail or disagree.
- You demonstrate patience and kindness, especially when others test you.
Living by the Spirit is not about following a set of rules — it’s about expressing the fruit of the Spirit:
“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)
That’s what it looks like to walk by the Spirit in any age — in the first century or the twenty-first.
The First-Century Church and Today
In the early church, believers boldly preached Christ in the streets. It was radical and countercultural because Christianity was unknown and risky. Their boldness was a beautiful expression of faith and courage.
But in today’s world, things look very different. Christianity is widely known — and at the same time often misunderstood.
In some places, public preaching is received as judgmental, political, or hypocritical. In the first century people were awed by the message of grace, but many see us Christians as hypocrites these days (I’m not saying that street preaching is not helpful).
That doesn’t mean we stop sharing the Gospel — we should. If we are stuck with a formula, we might be like, this is the way the first century preachers did it, and all that. However, if you are guided by love, you will be like How can I help them best by getting this message to them?
Living by the Spirit means having wisdom to know how to show love and how to speak truth. It is not about publicly shaming others, but what is the best way to get this person out of their hell of a life.
Sometimes, that might mean quietly loving your neighbor instead of holding a megaphone.
Other times, it may mean standing for truth when the world demands silence.In both cases, the question is the same: Am I walking in love?
COVID and the Mask Moment: A Lesson in Love
During COVID, I learned this lesson the hard way.
I’ve always believed in divine healing — that by Jesus’ stripes, we were healed.
I wanted to live by faith, not fear. So at first, I refused to wear a mask, not because I doubted the science, but my intention was sincere: I wanted to show courage in a fearful time.
But something unexpected happened.
People didn’t see my faith — they saw a lack of love.
Conversations that I hoped would turn to “Where do you get such faith?”
instead turned into “Why are you putting us at risk?”
That’s when the Holy Spirit showed me something deeper.
Faith without love doesn’t reflect Jesus.
If my brother or sister is hurt or afraid because of my actions, then love compels me to care more about their conscience than my freedom.
So I began wearing a mask — not because I was afraid of sickness,
but because I didn’t want to cause someone else to stumble.
“If your brother is grieved because of what you eat, you are no longer walking in love.” (Romans 14:15)
That’s what walking by the Spirit looks like — not proving you’re right, but choosing to love even when you disagree.
Living by the Spirit Looks Different in Every Season
In the first century, living by the Spirit might have meant preaching in the streets.
In the twenty-first, it might mean sitting with someone no one else will talk to.
Living by the Spirit doesn’t always look bold — sometimes it looks quiet.
It doesn’t always look radical — sometimes it looks gentle.
But it always looks like Jesus.
The Spirit leads us not into formulas, but into love.
And love adjusts, adapts, and meets people where they are.
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.” (1 Corinthians 9:19)
That’s the essence of living by the Spirit in a changing world: freedom expressed through love.
When Faith and Love Meet
I still believe in divine healing, and I still walk by faith.
But now, I understand that faith and love are not opposites — they complete each other.
Faith trusts God.
Love reflects God.
And when both come together, we reveal Christ to the world.
So whether it’s wearing a mask, serving your neighbor, or staying silent when you could argue —
walking in the Spirit means asking, “What does love look like here?”
Final Reflection
Living by the Spirit doesn’t always look like the first century.
It looks like Christ in the twenty-first.
It looks like compassion that doesn’t care who’s watching.
It looks like patience that disarms pride.
It looks like grace that meets people where they are.
“The only thing that counts is faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6)
In every age and in every situation,
the Spirit’s leading will always look like love.
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