Living in the Spirit - Free Indeed - Ep. 44

Summary

Barry Bennett teaches that “walking in the Spirit” means choosing responses grounded in God’s Spirit rather than reacting from emotions, circumstances, or what he calls the flesh. He says this choice can make self-discipline less about struggling against impulses and more about consistently turning toward spiritual qualities.

Key Strategies and Practices

• Choose a spiritual response in the moment. When faced with offense, frustration, or conflict, pause and choose qualities such as love, patience, peace, kindness, and self-control rather than anger or bitterness.
• Use everyday situations to practise. Bennett gives driving as an example: practise patience and courtesy instead of road rage. He also encourages bringing the same self-control and kindness home that people may show at work.
• Pay attention to what you feed your heart and mind. He teaches that what you value, spend time on, and focus on shapes the responses you bring forth. He encourages focusing on God’s Word and promises rather than feeding on anger, lust, or other harmful influences.
• Don’t use feelings as the measure of spiritual progress. In his framework, acting with love or peace does not depend on feeling loving or peaceful first; it involves choosing those responses.
• Build prayer around promises and possibility. Bennett contrasts praying mainly as a reaction to fear or bad news with praying from fellowship with God, a vision of positive possibilities, and confidence in God’s promises.
• Expect guidance and encouragement. He encourages believers to expect to hear from God and receive ideas, wisdom, and faith.
• Practise repeatedly. He says choosing the Spirit over time can become a new default way of responding and can benefit relationships, family life, and work.
• Begin with gratitude. On Thanksgiving, he encourages thankfulness, describing each day as an opportunity to be grateful.

Bennett supports his teaching with references to Galatians 5:16, Hebrews 4:12, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 12:35, Romans 8:5 and 8:13, and Galatians 6:8.

Presenters and Sources

• Presenter: Barry Bennett
• Source Bennett mentions: Andrew, whom he credits for the explanation of the heart as the union of soul and spirit
• Booklet mentioned: You’ve Already Got It by Andrew; the transcript does not provide a surname
• Biblical passages cited: Galatians 5:16; Hebrews 4:12; Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 12:35; Romans 8:5, 13; Galatians 6:8