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Welcome to my first monthly reading wrap-up! Reading is a major part of my life, as well as for the rest of my family. Most of us read more than 50 books a year, some 70-100. I fall in the range of around 75-80 books on average and read a wide variety of genres- as you will soon see!

My monthly wrap-ups will not be detailed reviews but will have a rating out of 5 stars followed by a brief thought. Order of books is random but each one is awarded a label to convey my impression. Where applicable I will include content warnings.

I have maintained a Goodreads account for many years but I do not always take the time to write an in-depth review. Feel free to check it out and you can always ask me questions about a book or seek recommendations. I love talking books!

July Reads

July was a great month of reading! I completed 9 books, totalling 2,716 pages: 5.5 audiobooks, 3.5 physical books.

Biggest Press: An Experiment in Criticism by C.S. Lewis

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 149

Genre: Non-Fiction, Literary Criticism, Literature

Thoughts: If I could press this book into everyone’s hands I would! My perspective on reading (how to do it and what to do with the material) was shifted and I now have, or at least am working towards, having a more objective view of the material I consume, whether it be writing, art, or music. I read this book in a couple of days and my copy has about 50 post-it notes hanging out of it.

High recommendation for all readers.

Most talked about: The Lost Gutenberg by Margaret Leslie Davis

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 304

Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Biography

Thoughts: Some books you read and quickly move on, others you read and you want to talk all about it. I wanted to talk about The Lost Gutenberg with others. If you are a book lover (me), book collector (me), old and rare book appreciator (me), fascinated with the history of old and rare books (me), and enjoy being shocked at what people will pay for old and rare books (me) then this is a book for you. The Lost Gutenburg follows the history and impact of one of the rarest copies of the Gutenberg Bible in existence. I was captivated by the entire story.

Mid recommendation to any reader, high to those with an interest in the historical journey of an original Gutenberg Bible.

I learned the most: Ten Caesars by Barry Strauss

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 432

Genre: Non-Fiction, Biography, Ancient history, Roman

Thoughts: Barry Strauss keeps the narrative flowing and interesting as he tells the story of the Roman Empire from its founding to its becoming Christian. The men who played major roles in this story are: Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Diocletian and Constantine. I had a basic knowledge of all of these men and was able to grow in that knowledge by adding another layer of information. Sadly, my takeaway from the book was just how utterly sinful the caesars were. At one point I became so disgusted by the homosexuality and pedophilia that seemed so commonplace I had to take a break. By no means is this a dominant theme in the book, yet its place in these men’s lives is heartbreaking.

Low recommendation for all readers, high for non-expert history lovers desiring to get a grasp on these 10 caesars.

Best Fiction: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 321

Genre: Historical fiction, Young adult

Thoughts: I learned a lot about Communist Romania in 1989. Ruta Sepetys is known for her exhaustive, meticulous research on the topics she writes about. This allows for her books to convey the truth of an event, place, or time in a fictional book. Her method leaves the reader with more compassion and knowledge about something we have no experience with. I Must Betray You wasn’t a particularly fast read, nor was I on the edge of my seat, but it was a profitable read. If there is one reason to read this book or give it to a younger person, it is to teach them that Communism is BAD, horrible, tyrranical, oppressive…not good.

Mid recommendation for older teens to adults.

Most Surprising: The Blood Countess by Shelley Puhak

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 304

Genre: Non-fiction, Biography

Thoughts: I saw The Blood Countess by Shelley Puhak at Barnes and Noble and thought I’d give it a listen. I gave it the label “Most Surprising” because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found it fascinating and not at all boring like the majority of 1 star reviews on Goodreads state. I loved the Hungarian history and was highly interested in the Luther/Protestant Lutheranism vs Calvin/Protestant Calvinism split in Hungary. My takeaway was that rumors are easily started and near impossible to retract. Don’t believe everything you hear!

Low recommendation for most readers. I wouldn’t say this is a niche read, but if you are like me and enjoy learning about a wide variety of historical topics I would recommend.

Fulfulling Bedtime Read: The Silent Sisters by Robert Dugoni

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 400

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Espionage, Thriller, Crime

Thoughts: Pretty good book, not really my preferred genre, but entertaining. Suspenseful at times. I don’t recall any language (Don’t hold me to that, I often skip over without seeing) but there is mention of sexual activity. I picked up this book from a library end cap and I didn’t realize this was the end of a trilogy 😂

Low recommendation. Content warnings: sex and adultery play a part in the undercover role of one of “the silent sisters.”

Kept-My-Focus-While-Cleaning: Demetrius Sacker of Cities by James Romm

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 224

Genre: Non-fiction, Biography, Ancient history, Greek

Thoughts: Never heard of Demetrius before reading this. My library app notified me about its acquisition of this book thinking it would be of interest to me. I really appreciate that they know me so well. ha! I listened to Demetrius Sacker of Cities througout the day while cleaning. A synopsis of this book taken from Goodreads: “James Romm tells the story of Demetrius the Besieger’s rise and spectacular fall but also explores his vibrant inner life and family relationships to depict a real, complex, and recognizable figure.” I found it to be very engaging!

Mid recommendation for adult readers.

Classic (if you haven’t read this, why not?!): The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 366

Genre: Classics, Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy

Thoughts: I feel like there is not much to say about this book. Its reputation speaks for itself. To say it is “so good” seems trite. We read this book out loud as a family every few years and kids of every age are actually engaged. Truly. That is a feat when you have 10 children. Usually the chosen book interests either the young ones or the older ones but rarely all of them care to listen.

HIGH recommendation for ALL readers! Get a few copies and let the kids follow along while you read. Reading The Hobbit together is a treat.

Random Read That I Enjoyed: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 216

Genre: Mystery, Historical fiction, Young Adult, Middle grade

Thoughts: I don’t recall how this book came across my radar but I am glad it did. The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer was a clean mystery that 12+ aged readers could read and enjoy. Finding fun mysteries for tweens/teens isn’t easy. The audiobook narrator is a female (Enola Holmes) and she has a pleasant british accent that doesn’t overwhelm or annoy. I can be picky with my narrators, especially female narrators.

High recommendation for readers looking for a clean mystery.

“Why does my Bible reading feel flat? I am not getting anything out of it. My prayers are either non-existent or, at best, emotionless.”

I cannot recall an exception to the attitudes and circumstances of the women who have come to me seeking help with their spiritual disciplines. With each one, it pains me to see the burdens that they carry, their downcast spirit, and their overall hopeless state. The circumstances in their lives are varied, yet all boil down to one similarity: their circumstances dictate their emotions.

Each one loves the Lord Jesus Christ, each one desires not to feel the way they are feeling, each one yearns for the joy and peace they know are theirs in Christ. What then is the answer to their questions?

No single article, conversation, or focused counseling session is adequate to dig out the root issue from their heart, but we can start to till up the soil, making it easier to “weed the garden.”

Prayer

Of primary importance is the spiritual discipline of prayer. John Newton said of prayer1:

We must have this same urgency in our own lives and desire it for other believers. It makes no sense to attempt to drive a car without keys. Why then do we think we can learn from Scripture or walk in this life without first seeking the help of the Holy Spirit?

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.” Psalm 119:18

King David understood his need for Yahweh to open his eyes to glean from the Word.

Many women, myself included at times, neglect prayer because of busyness. Spurgeon, in a sermon titled “Degrees of Power Attending the Gospel”2, exhorted listeners to follow Martin Luther’s blessed logic.

I hope at this point you grasp the need for prayer. Before you enter into a privileged time of reading the Holy Scriptures, stop everything and clear the distractions; confess your sins, weaknesses, inadequacies; seek His guidance and wisdom; praise Him for all He has given you.

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Read the Bible

The secret to a rich time in the Word is to stop expecting an emotional response or that it will somehow make the rest of your day problem-free. If this is what you seek, you will be disappointed.

Consider Newton’s wisdom as he begins to describe the requisites, which he states, “without which it is impossible rightly to understand the Scriptures.”3

We must open God’s Word with a humble heart and sincerely desire to be changed through the conviction, admonition, exhortation, comfort, and encouragement it provides. Not to fix our problems, not to feel overwhelming peace, not to check a box, but to know God and what He expects of His children.

“My son, if you will receive my words

And treasure my commandments within you,

To make your ear pay attention to wisdom,

Incline your heart to discernment;

For if you call out for understanding,

Give your voice for discernment;

If you seek her as silver

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh

And find the knowledge of God.

For Yahweh gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and discernment.” Proverbs 2:1-6

The goal of Bible reading is to grow in one’s knowledge of God. The hidden treasure is the wisdom of God. And the depth of your understanding will be seen in your obedience to what it says.

I know the struggles of juggling many responsibilities, I am sympathetic to moms raising young children, and yet I know that if we don’t prioritize talking with God and studying His Word, the only result is failure. Failure results because we are attempting to live life on our own strength.

It is only through reading all of Scripture that we get a clear view of who we are as humans. Sinners, desperately in need of a Savior, and desperately dependent upon Him alone. In your own strength, your patience will run out, your service will be shallow, and your selfishness will be seen. If Paul could plead with the Lord three times to remove a thorn in his flesh and rejoice when God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness,” then every other child of God can do the same.

Why is your Bible reading flat? Because you have been seeking the wrong thing. Why is your prayer life non-existent or unemotional? Because you don’t find value in talking to the God who provides all things.

Do those answers sting? I feel the sting.

What should you do starting right now? Pray. Humbly cry out to God, speak to Him of your worries, trials, disappointments, and desires. There is no script to follow; just simply talk to the only true and living God who cares for you.

Your circumstances won’t likely change. But your attitude towards them will change as you thank Him for them and seek to grow through them.

Prints available of the above artwork! The Church in the Blue Mountains

However, there are those rare nights when I wake up at 3 a.m., and I can’t go back to sleep. Yes, I know, cortisol, perimenopause, eat more protein. Even rarer are those nights that I wake up at 3 a.m., get out of bed, and productively use those waking hours to grow in the Lord. It was a sweet time of learning that morning! The fruit of it included a poem I wrote entitled “When sleep doesn’t come”. I pray you are blessed by it and the artwork created by Paisley. You can find her work on Instagram and her website Art by Paisley. (The poem is below the image.)

“When sleep doesn’t come” by Autumn Beck

Like the breeze of summer

Is the refreshment of sleep.

The sun beats down, stealing vigor.

So too the absence of deep rest

Robs the mind of its clarity.

Waning, waning goes the energy

I call out for the respite of breeze,

Let the waves of slumber roll over me

Your will be done, to that I submit.

While sleep hides its face, Your Word remains.

In the dark, I rise to meditate on Your statutes.

Straining for breath, I began,

Yet soon the peace of Your word relaxed my anxious spirit.

Awake, I lie while others sleep.

Make my heart to rejoice as I sit with You.

Drifting, drifting, my eyes are weary.

The dawn is breaking, Your mercies are new.

I marvel at the strength that You alone provide

And drink deeply of all You freely give.

I would like to attempt to tell you about July 18, 2025, the perspective will be written from just following the events of that day.

A Look Back

For the past 10 days, I have prayed with an understanding of Paul’s command to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess 5:17) Haley, my oldest daughter, was admitted into the hospital 28 weeks and 3 days into her first pregnancy due to severe preeclampsia. For those like me who do not understand the danger of preeclampsia, I quickly learned from the medical staff that her condition was at a life-threatening point. We had no idea.

We have all prayed with such intense fervency and saw our church family respond in like manner. Do we even deserve this kind of love and support? We have cried out that the Lord will sustain the life of Haley and her baby. We have begged the Lord to preserve her health and to strengthen her husband in this tumultuous time.

I am acutely aware that throughout these 10 days, the Lord has revealed to me how fragile life is, one day we are laughing with loved ones, worrying about frivolous matters, and the next, lives are in limbo. The only stabilizing factor over these 10 days has been the perfect Sovereign will of God; none of this was a surprise to Him. I have done well to rest in this truth.

Then, the call came from Haley that they were inducing labor, and things were not going as they had hoped. Her kidneys were not rebounding, her blood pressure continued to rise, and my baby girl was not doing well. I needed to be there, by her side as her mommy, as her counselor, as one who could be stable in a time of instability.

My heart was exploding with feelings of worry, fear, and helplessness. I could feel the tension creeping up my chest. I knew that this panic was outside of resting in the peace of God. I stayed in prayer, communing with my Father who controlled all things. His Word was a balm to my chaffed nerves and a comfort to my weary heart. Be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 as it was recited by memory in the moment of great need.)

The day progressed with moments of hope that Haley would be able to birth her baby naturally, despite being only 29 weeks and 6 days. But that hope was shattered when the baby’s heart rate plummeted to single digits.

Oh, how my heart clinched in agony at the thought that my grandbaby might not survive.

From where I stood in the room, I had a view of everything, and all I could think was that they needed to go now. Get this baby out now! I have never felt so desperate. I knew Haley and Robert wanted a homebirth, but when that was no longer an option, avoiding a c-section was the next goal. But in that moment, I knew I had to set aside my emotions and be strong for them. I whispered to Robert, “It’s time to go.” Saving the lives of Haley and the baby was everyone’s priority.

The nurses yelled “stat section” and rushed Haley out. The air was sucked out of that room. In the dim lights, the eerie quiet, I looked over and saw my precious son-in-law standing there broken, speechless, helpless. I said that God broke me and sanctified me in ways I didn’t know I needed. Robert forever became a part of my heart that night, like one of my flesh and blood children. I prayed with him, I comforted him with words of God’s faithfulness, and I learned that you could give to someone what you think you don’t have when you rely on the Spirit. We stood there for what seemed like hours. There were no answers, and no one came to check in.

Finally, we learned that the baby was here and doing beyond amazing for being 10 weeks early. The tears flowed, releasing weeks of tension, but the fear remained. Is my Haley alive? Is she okay? They could not give us an update on Haley; there were complications (why are there always complications!?), and they were trying to get her stable.

Oh, Lord, how much more can I take? Please don’t leave Robert a widower with a new baby. Please, God, spare her life.

It was an hour after the baby’s arrival before we were told that Haley was stable. To simultaneously rejoice at being a grandma and hurt for the uncertainty of my daughter was a pull almost too great for my flesh. But now Robert and I could breathe a sigh of relief knowing that both mom and baby were well. There was a hard road still to travel in the months to come, but they were alive!

I needed to be broken of my reliance upon the immediate status of health and life, I needed to be broken of my assumption that plans we make will come to pass, I needed to be broken of my pride that I could control or fix things. The Lord used July 18, 2025, to conform me more into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Today

Today, a year later, I am more grateful for life, and almost daily, one or more of the people in our family prays with thanksgiving for Willow Eloise. We all grew as a family and learned to trust God more deeply. I have also grown in my compassion for others’ suffering. All too often, we read of a family’s trial and think, “At least they’re alive!” True, to have life is a great gift. However, while one’s trial might not be loss of life or crippling disability, the pain of the dark valley is appropriately intense. I still have much growth to achieve in compassion for others and in gratitude for all of life.

I pray that I will faithfully live out these words of Paul to the Thessalonians:

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18

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The broken woman sitting across from me has red, swollen eyes and cannot imagine ever feeling joy again. Her life has not gone as she hoped and planned; actually, things are so tragic that not even her worst nightmares included this scenario. This woman has many names, for she represents the dozens of women I have counseled over the years. I am not a seasoned biblical counselor, but in a few short years, I have wept with, comforted, and encouraged women with more sadness than I ever imagined coming my way.

To every woman going through a dark valley, the circumstances have the temptation of sinking one into despair. The trials of today feel like a nightmare she cannot wake from. Yet, no matter the tragedy, my counsel is always the same.

The God who created the universe, the Lord who was crucified for your sins, the Holy Spirit who has equipped you to live a life of godliness, HE cares for you. I can, and do, go to many truths in His all-sufficient Word, but 1 Peter 5:7 is a neon sign in my mind: “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

Those of us in Christ need to hear this. He, Our Father in Heaven, cares. As I sit with these women for weeks and months, the pain begins to lessen, but it isn’t merely the passage of time that has lifted the spirit; being continually driven deeper into God’s Word is the key. Along with giving these hurting women Scripture to read, study, and memorize for homework throughout the week, I have them study biblically sound hymns. My most recommended hymn, originally written by Samuel Radigast in 1765, is entitled Whate’er My God Ordains is Right. Sovereign Grace Music has taken the original and updated the lyrics for modern understanding. Their recording from Together for the Gospel Live IV is my favorite.

I have my counselees listen to the hymn a specified number of times a day and meditate on the lyrics. I then have them answer questions about the hymn:

• What is the author conveying?

• What lines do you struggle with the most?

• Why are you struggling with that line?

• Find a bible verse that matches up with the truths in each stanza.

• What did this hymn teach or remind you about God?

• How does this hymn change the way you are responding to your circumstances?

• Write out a prayer to God in humble adoration and seek His strength.

There are many other questions one could ask, but the main focus is to reorient her thinking from the darkness she perceives all around her to an upward worship of the One who ordains all things.

Are you familiar with this hymn? I am grateful that my church sings old and new hymns; it allows the truths of who God is to penetrate my heart in all aspects of the worship service.

The next time you sit with a friend in need consider taking her to the hymns and singing with her.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

Easier said than done, of course! I am not naive to the hard work and self-promotion it takes to grow a blog. In 2008, I launched a website all about cloth diapers called…All About Cloth Diapers. Back then, with SEO optimization and unique content, it was a lot easier to become the big fish in the pond.

That was then. Now I’m back in the pond, swimming with hundreds of thousands of other focused, talented, niche-oriented writers, trying to impart the wisdom we have to an audience. So why read my blog? You first need to know who I am.

Who Am I?

I am Autumn Beck. It’s great to meet you! A little about me:

• I have been married since 1998 to my college sweetheart. He’s amazing and everything a girl dreams of marrying!

• I was saved by Grace Alone through Faith Alone in Christ Alone in the spring of 2000. I love my salvation testimony and will share it in a separate post. Teaser: Eccentric, charismatic faith-healing chiropractor shares enough of the gospel at a chiropractic seminar to pierce the heart of a pagan.

• In 2002, our first child was born in the comfort of our home and completely changed our lives from that point forward! We thought she was so adorable, we repeated it in 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. What can I say?? They were all so delightful, I needed 10! The Lord was gracious to bless us as He did, and I am forever grateful.

• In 2008, I launched a successful cloth diaper blog that I sold in 2014.

• Around 2013-2014, I wrote for Dr. Greg Harris on his Glory Books blog. I wrote articles similar to what you will see here on A Life Worthy of Christ.

• In 2015, my husband graduated from The Master’s Seminary, and we moved back to Texas to plant Grace Bible Church of Boerne (you pronounce that Bur-nee).

• I began teaching the women’s Bible study in the spring of 2016 and have been blessed to teach every year since! I have had the privilege of teaching through dozens of books, Old and New Testament, verse by verse, using a literal, historical, grammatical hermeneutic.

• In March 2023, I completed the certification process with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. ACBC is everything a biblical counseling organization should strive to be, with its high standards of certification and unwavering commitment to the sufficiency of Scripture.

• Who knew it could get better? In 2025, our first grandbaby was born! Being ‘Marmee’ to Willow is beyond anything I could put into words.

• But, wait, there’s more! In the fall of 2025, I began the MABC (Master’s in Biblical Counseling) program at The Master’s University. What a fun, busy, eye-opening experience it has been so far!

• In my spare time, I homeschool the kids,* read a LOT of books, play strategic board games, and snuggle my kitty cat (Kleya). ^{*joking, this is way too hard a task to do in one’s spare time.}

Why subscribe to my blog?

My goal with A Life Worthy of Christ is to teach women how to live out biblical truths, understand and study their Bible, grow in discernment, and share what I have learned over the years in all areas of womanhood. There will always be Scripture to back up anything I say; otherwise, I neglect the Sufficiency of God’s Word in all things.

Is this what you are seeking?

I know there are thousands of voices you could listen to, but here you will get meat, not milk, and truth, not fluff.

I love interacting with readers, so please comment. I will respond, and I am always grateful for every subscriber.

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There are times when we have to be able to say that we are doing too much. Throughout my 24 years of parenting, one particular season stands out to me as pivotal in realizing we had to change something. If we didn’t, our family was susceptible to falling apart or at least losing sight of what really matters.

This moment came years ago when we only had 4 children. It involved a day filled with soccer games in the sweltering heat. We knew then that practices during the week and games on the weekend weren’t going to work for our family. Did our kids enjoy playing? Not really. But even if they did, the decision had to be made by the parents.

Perhaps sports aren’t an issue for your family. Many other good things can eat up family time: music lessons, theatre, dance, fieldtrips, playdates, library, etc. Each of these activities is enriching and fun, but add them all up, and the family unit is stretched thin. It isn’t easy to cut things out; therefore, we have learned to be slow to add.

Is there a biblical principle for my argument?

1. Worship over busyness.

Luke 10:38-42 is the well-known passage of Mary and Martha. Luke brings out the principle in the first part of verse 40.

“But Martha was distracted with all her preparations.” Having much to do and focusing on the “things” in life, distracts us from learning from and worshipping our Lord. Many nights away from home or days spent running around, leave little time and energy for the family to come together at the end of the day.

The Christian is to read this passage and consider in what areas they are being like Martha. Martha was concerned about the preparation, perhaps your “preparation” is cloaked in social activities, educational events, or volunteer opportunities.

Does your life have room for sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to His Word (Luke 10:39)?

2. Pursue the things that last

In Ecclesiastes chapter 2, King Solomon conveys the temporalness of the things we strive after. He doesn’t say that the things are useless but that the focus on earthly things is foolishness. He writes that the fruit of all that he worked for just passes on to the next man when he dies.

In the New Testament, Paul commands us to fix our eyes on the heavenly, eternal things not on the earthly, temporal things (Col 2:2).

There is a balance to be found in our lives. We have to be aware of the earthly dominating our time. Taking account of how we spend out days will reveal the imbalance and in humility we can shift our priorities to those with eternal benefits.

Are you pursuing the spiritual things individually and as a family regularly each week?

There are many other passages in the Old and New Testament the show the importance of rest and order in our lives. This post is directed at the busyness of our personal lives and is assuming a regular church attendance on Sundays and other opportunities your church offers to grow and fellowship.

Have you ever felt too busy and had to make changes to your family schedule? Please share your experience in the comments!

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“But HOW do I walk by the Spirit?”

This is the question that every counselee asks me after we read Galatians 5:16.

But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

It is clear from reading this verse alone and out of context that Paul is showing two paths: walking by the Spirit or walking by the flesh.

To get clarity on what the two paths look like we need to look forward at verses 19 through 23: (emphasis added)

How one walks describes their everyday pattern of life. The true believer cannot habitually walk by the flesh but they do veer off the path often, failing to submit to the Spirit. How does one walk by the Spirit in every day life and thereby not carry out the desires of the flesh?

1. Know your bible!

Psalm 1:2 reveals the vital difference between the righteous man and the wicked: the blessed man knows the Word of God.

Psalm 119 reiterates that same truth over and over throughout its 176 verses.

If you want to walk by the Spirit you must know what God desires. Reading God’s Word doesn’t mean one instantly begins to walk rightly. It is, however, the necessary first step for the Christian. If you are not currently reading your bible regularly or have never read the bible beginning to end, today is the day to start. Bible Reading Plan Generator allows you to create a personalized reading plan.

2. Daily confession and repentance of sin.

Yes, you repented of your sins the moment you were saved, all your sins were forgiven, and there is now no condemnation for those in Christ. (Psalm 103:12; Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9) But, every day since your salvation you have continued to sin. Your ongoing confession and repentance isn’t about cleansing you from the stain of sin but is an act of humility and a reverence to a Holy God. Hate the sin that still remains and acknowledge your sin to the One whom you have sinned against.

3. Take captive every thought.

“But that is so hard!” Of course it is! It is exhausting. And it is profitable. We must consider every thought we have because it reveals the state of our heart.

Proverbs 4:23 commands us to guard our hearts (mind) with all diligence. We must do this because from our heart flow the springs of life. What our heart treasures our mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Our thoughts form the words we speak, therefore we must cultivate the soil our thoughts spring from.

How do we take captive every thought and therefore walk by the Spirit? We make sure that we know what the will of God is by reading and studying His Word, we acknowledge our remaining sin against our loving Father in humble repentance, we dismiss any thoughts that do not stand up to the test of Truth (Phil 4:8). A believer carefully considers their words because we will give an account to God for every word, motive, thought, action, and lack of action (Romans 14:12).

A believer must be slow to speak in the sense that we consider every word we speak. A believer must choose wisely the words spoken to ensure that they bless the hearer (Ephesians 4:29).

4. Beliefs determine emotions, not vice versa.

What do emotions have to with walking by the Spirit? In order to not be driven by our emotions and thereby carry out the desires of the flesh, believers must have a firm understanding of their beliefs. Beliefs about who God is, how He works in our lives, and our responsibility to Him.

Matthew makes it plain to us: out of the heart come evil thoughts, words, and actions. It’s that simple. What comes out of you (all those hairy, sticky emotions) is birthed from what your heart really believes. Christians say they love God but if anger and slander and abusive words come out of your mouth habitually, then you reveal that your heart doesn’t fully believe. There’s a remaining root(s) of sin. This is where the hard work begins.

To walk by the Spirit, one’s heart must be firmly rooted in biblical doctrine.

5. Use the tools you possess.

Walking by the Spirit is done through the Spirit. An obvious statement, yet Paul asked the Galatians “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” It is a temptation to try to do things by our own strength. Yet, how foolish is this when we have divinely granted tools at our disposal?

Christians were never intended to use human strength for life. Paul understood this when he stated that it is no longer he who lives but Christ who lives in him (Gal 2:20) and again in 2 Corinthians 12:10 he admits that when he is weak, only then is he strong because of power of Christ dwelling in him.

Conclusion

The Christian life is a war. There is war between those in the world and those in Christ. There is a war within every believer between the Spirit and the flesh. It is not an undetermined war, the Spirit will win, but the battle rages until our flesh is made perfect. In this life our only hope of victory is relying on the strength given to us by the Spirit. How marvelous a truth are Paul’s words: Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24)? It is preposterous to attempt to resurrect the flesh in every trial we face if one truly understands this truth.