Walking
“Halak, to walk, go, come; Greek peripateo, to walk about, conduct oneself”
Summary
Walking is used throughout Scripture as a metaphor for one's manner of life, conduct, and spiritual direction—either walking with God in obedience or walking in darkness and sin.
☩Walking with God
Scripture commends those who 'walk with God'—maintaining conduct conformed to the Creator's will, drawing near through devotion, and manifesting piety and purity of life. Enoch walked with God and was taken; Noah walked with God in a corrupt generation. To walk in God's ways means to keep His commandments, follow His statutes, and pursue the path He has marked out. Walking with God implies ongoing fellowship, not merely occasional contact, but a life lived in conscious relationship with Him.
☩Spiritual Contrasts
Scripture contrasts different kinds of walking. To walk in darkness means involvement in unbelief and error; to walk in light means being well-informed, holy, and happy. Walking by faith means expecting promised things and living consistent with that belief; walking by sight means living only by what is visible. Walking after the flesh means gratifying carnal desires; walking after the Spirit means pursuing spiritual objects and cultivating spiritual affections, which is life and peace.
☩The Christian Walk
Believers are called to walk in newness of life, having been raised with Christ. This includes walking worthy of the Lord, walking in love following Christ's example, walking honestly as in the day, and walking circumspectly, making the most of time. Paul describes the Christian walk as being 'in Christ'—rooted and built up in Him. The goal is that one's daily conduct, relationships, and decisions all reflect the transforming reality of new life in Christ.
Related Verses389 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Walk," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Walk," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).