You may have heard the expression “you have to act according to the Word”. This usually means doing what is written in the Bible, especially doing what Jesus said. But Paul wrote: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” [Gal.5:25] Walking by the Spirit and acting by the Word are two very different things. Acting by the Word means acting by the letter, by the law, while walking by the Spirit means acting on the desires the Lord puts in our hearts. For example, the Scriptures teach us to help the poor and feed the hungry, and believers are even often frightened that they may be counted among the goats if they don’t do good works. But if we feed the prodigal son, we will only delay the moment he meets his father. So does the Spirit contradict the Word, as some may accuse us? Not at all! The Word builds us up and establishes us in the truth that is in Christ Jesus, and then the Spirit leads us, doing through us deeds pleasing to God and producing in us the fruits of righteousness.