Now, let's consider an illustration of the value of walking with the Spirit.
In Matthew 25, we read a parable Jesus told about five wise virgins and five foolish ones who all went out to meet the bridegroom and enjoy the bridal ceremony. “The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps” (Matthew 25:3-4).
The bridegroom was delayed a long time, and the virgins eventually fell asleep waiting for him. Finally, when the bridegroom arrived, the wise virgins were able to light their lamps and go into the celebration, but the foolish and unprepared ones had no oil and so they missed out.
I’m sure you have read this parable before, but have you ever noticed why the foolish virgins did not bring oil? That is, why were they foolish? Jesus tells us the answer:
“Later, the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you” (Matthew 25:11-12).
In this parable, the foolish actions of five of the ten virgins are traced back to a lack of relationship between the virgins and the bridegroom. The implication is clear: if the virgins had been known by the bridegroom, if there had been a relationship cultivated, the bridegroom would have communicated with them, and they would have known to bring oil to the reception. He would have given them the plan, and they would have followed it, just as the five wise virgins did.
And here we see the tremendous value of a daily relationship with the Lord, of daily walking with the Spirit, for when we do, we hear from God. We get wisdom. We make different choices than we would have in our flesh because He communicates with us, giving us His plans and revealing Himself to us.
All foolish decisions stem from a lack of daily walking with the Spirit, not cultivating a relationship with Jesus, not listening to His instruction, and or fellowshipping with Him.
When it comes to gaining wisdom to live differently, when it comes to receiving a plan from God as to how to live (including eating, exercising, and everything else), we must learn to not only walk by the Spirit but also to walk with Him.
Question 6. How does walking with the Spirit keep us from living foolishly?
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Sue's answer to the above question is instructive for us. She writes:
"When I walk with the Spirit I am in constant fellowship with Him, always listening and asking for wisdom, thus I can’t act foolishly. He tells me how to act, how to be, how to eat, how to “everything”.
Then there is no room for foolishness."
And Wende's answer is likewise helpful:
"If my thoughts and decisions are not influenced by the Spirit, then I am left all by myself with only my own wisdom which is easily tossed about by my sinful desires, my unreliable emotions, and my faulty thinking. When I am walking with the Spirit I am not alone but walking in relationship with Him. I have His strength and clarity. I can see through the lies and I can do what is right and good."