Romans 8:8–9 (KJV) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Recently, in the Sunday school class, someone asked what it means to be in the Spirit.
Oftentimes, I’ve heard worship leaders say something like “Let’s be in the spirit”. Then I wonder where we were before that time.
The idea of being in the spirit is seen by most charismatics as something involving ecstatic display, theatrics or speaking in tongues. If I shake my body and speak some tongues, many will assume I’m in the spirit.
In scriptures, being in the Spirit has nothing to do with ecstatic display though the move of the Spirit upon some persons may come with physical manifestation. No doubt but what is the bible saying about this?
Some charismatics are conscious of “physical manifestations”. That’s why some think one can’t prophesy except there’s a bodily display or shaking. So when they want to give a prophetic, they draw attention first whereas, if they have understanding, they can prophesy calmly and still speak the mind of God.
What about being in the Spirit? Galatians 5:16 says, “This I say then, Walk IN THE SPIRIT, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh”( KJV). Now I want you to observe clearly what Paul is saying.
Being or walking in the Spirit is being anti flesh. Paul said anyone that walk IN the Spirit will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. So if we’re to clarify what it means to walk in the Spirit from the context of that scripture, it simply mean to walk in a manner that is pleasing to God.
Walking or being IN the Spirit has nothing to do with ecstatic display. Often, we are conscious of seeing manifestations but we ignore the life that is expected of a believer- life in the Spirit.
A Spirit-led life that produces fruit is the hallmark of being IN the Spirit. It is a life that is anti-flesh.
Reading the book of Romans 8:8-9, Paul expressed the same line of thought when he spoke about being/walking IN the Spirit: “So then they that are IN THE FLESH CANNOT please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but IN THE SPIRIT, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his”.
Again, can you see that being or walking in the Spirit is tantamount to pleasing God while walking in the flesh is the exact opposite.
The man that is pleasing to God is that man IN the Spirit. He may be walking on the road, watching t.v.or reading news paper, as long as he’s not in alignment with the flesh and its appurtenances, he is in the Spirit.
Your desire should be to please him in your walk. Once this is in place, you’re IN the Spirit.
PRAYER: Father, I receive the grace to please you always in Jesus name