Spirit Walk: The Extraordinary Power of Acts for Ordinary People

by Steve Smith

The Holy Spirit is the Hidden Mover behind all personal life transformation and ministry fruitfulness. Though we know the Bible says to walk in the Spirit, the majority of Christians are illiterate (and frankly even nervous) about how to practically live in His power. The result is lives marred by continuing brokenness and ministries plagued by fruitlessness. Jesus made the fullness of His presence in the form of the Spirit the foundation for the life He has called us to. Believers from Acts understood the ancient path of the Spirit Walk. That extraordinary power was not just for them, but for you also. Field tested around the world, Spirit Walk has helped thousands of ordinary people shift from a fundamental reliance upon methods and strategies—though important—to the essential reliance upon the Spirit who empowers these. Spirit Walk reminds us of the ancient path the Bible teaches and explains it in a practical spiritual discipline: how to S.W.A.P. your control for God’s daily. Surrender to His will and His every word Wait on God in prayer Avoid sin Pursue the purpose and promptings of the Spirit Discover how to start on the journey of being filled again and again by the Spirit. But more importantly, learn how to stay full of the Spirit as you abide in Christ throughout the day, and your life. The Spirit Walk must no longer be relegated to a small subset of Christianity but must become the standard operating procedure of ordinary believers again. The Spirit of Jesus is the key to all breakthroughs. Take the journey into the ancient path.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Faith, Spirituality, Christianity

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Alie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read on the Holy Spirit. It is simple, practical, and biblical. I especially love how the author breaks down exactly what it means to live a spirit-filled life, because there are a lot of assumptions and misunderstandings in the Christian church. Although there is occasional redundancy, I think it is intentional due to the subject matter. Highly recommend this book!

[Joyce Olij · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really convicting! It made me think about the work of the Spirit in my life. The main idea of the book is to follow the acronym SWAP to walk in the Spirit. Although I do think that SWAP (Surrender, Wait on God in prayer, Avoid Sin, and Pursue the promptings of the Spirit) basically fleshes out what repentance really is, it is good to think about the process and whether or not you are actually following what the Bible says! I agree with the author that many Christians today are committed to serving the Lord, but not willing to surrender to the Lord. I also like his stress on prayer in the book, and spending time alone or as a married couple with the Word to read, pray and meditate on it.

[Adam Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another one of the rare books I could not bring myself to finish. While the subject matter is arguably one of the most important to really understand, the writing style was just so darn redundant. He repeated the same concept over and over and over again. I couldn't take it any more. I quit.

[Jennifer Colquitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical book for what union with Christ through the His Holy Spirit looks like. He carefully explains the Biblical analogies of abiding in Christ, letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, and being filled with the Spirit. His SWAP method is very helpful. The author is now in heaven, and I’m looking forward to meeting him one day.

[Hallie Dumas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super practical! My only qualms with this book aren’t content related, but tied to aspects of the writing itself. Regardless it’s applicable - particularly for Christians in traditions that don’t emphasize the Holy Spirit!

[Mike Studdard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. One of the best books on the Holy Spirit that I have read. Simple advice. Plenty of scripture to back up the advice in the book.

I will buy other copies to give away.

[Carolyn Moore Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read in walking in the Holy Spirit.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content. Fairly practical. Extremely repetitious, perhaps to pad the page count to justify selling the thing. Could've been a brochure or something.

[Ron Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was slow starting and a little repetitive in places but if you stick with it there is a powerful change in your future. It gets down to the nitty gritty on building a life with God. How to do it at the level it really needs to be done.

Biggest take away is that we think the reason we aren't getting dramtic results in ministry is our methods, but in reality it is our own spiritual lives that are the problem. We don't even know we really have a problem or how to fix it. The key is surrender - not commitment - to do what the Spirit tells us in everything.

Ask what God's will is. Period. Then he'll reveal how you should act in it today.

[Becky Durstenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book. I think it gets at the heart of why Christians are not making as much of an impact in the world as we should. Steve uses lots of Scripture and what he says makes sense. It isn't a magic formula to follow, but is about how essential surrender is and being filled with the Spirit. I think both evangelicals and charismatic groups can both benefit from this book because I don't think either group gets it quite right. I read a few chapters a day and finished it in a few days, but I recommend taking longer to read it. I think reading it with others, especially in an accountability group would be great. I highly recommend this book

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having watched Steve live a Spirit filled life the last 21 years, I know this is not an academic exercise for him. He is living it out. He writes from personal experience and wisdom that has come from a love for the Word and time teaching others. Whether you are a new believer or a seasoned one, this book is for you. Read it slowly with your Bible close at hand. Take time to pause and pray as you read.

[Garrett Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am unsure if others have encountered this problem or not, but my copy ends a chapter in the middle of the book and suddenly goes to a new chapter. A whole 50 pages are missing in the middle of the book!

Like other reviewers have stated, I have found the book (well, what I was able to read) a helpful inspiration to lead a life led by the Spirit, while the writing style did at times seem to be leading in circles. Overall, not a bad book. Just frustrated by the flawed copy I received.

[Marcus Constantine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important work for those seeking to live a life of Spirit-empowered mission

A solid biblical guide with helpful exposition of Scripture, practical action steps, vivid illustrations, and actionable guides for personal and group revival prayer gatherings ~ this is an important read for any seeking to live a life of Spirit-empowered mission for Christ’s glory!

[Karen Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Simple, practical, Biblical! I have needed this for a long time and never knew it. The desire to be filled with the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit now seems so much more attainable - not by my power or just following a plan, but by surrendering fully to God. I think this will be one of those life-changing books for me.

[Ricky Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and compelling picture of walking with the Holy Spirit. While there cannot be a step by step guide, it outlines an acronym of SWAP to swap our power and control for the life with the Holy Spirit. I especially appreciated the mention of the distinction between commitment and surrender. We must give our all to God and seek to serve His plan for the world

[Jacob Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really practical and challenged me in my walk with the Holy Spirit. Has me asking questions and living out new practices I never have before in my daily walk with God.

Only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because of slight theological differences and not full scriptural backing for one of his main points.

[Jenn Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there was a book that I would recommend it would be this one! Such an encouragement and challenge to walk with the Spirit of God and fully surrendering our lives to the Lord. It’s not a book you fly through, but more like you take one chapter or sometimes one page at a time and process it, and it’s so worth it!

[Evan Warthen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to give this anything but 5 stars but this book could have been half the length. In my personal opinion, this book would have been a lot more impactful if it was more concise. The author likes to find 5 different ways to say the same thing, and for some people that works, for me it was really distracting. Really good information in here if you are willing and patient.

[Cheyenne Tinsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If someone just came to Christ and asked what the best book to start your walk with is- it would be this one. Still recommend if you’ve been a believer for a while, there’s so much more to learn always. If you don’t know what it means to have the Spirit with you, please read this! So convicting, so educational, so easy to read.

[Bretany C · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

I’ve read dozens of books on the Holy Spirit like Forgotten God and good morning Holy Spirit, but none of them made it so concrete and practical for me. This book really helped it click what it means to be led by the Spirit daily, and gave four areas in which we can go after it daily. Totally recommend!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life changing content about what it looks like to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. The concepts are truly insightful and I highly recommend this book.

I subtracted a star only because the writing style gets quite repetitive. My remedy was to read it slowly, in which case the repetition was a helpful reconnection to what I read previously.

[Gina Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and much needed in truly walking with Jesus in our information overload!

He explains in detail and with practical steps that process of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It has given me much to think about and work through in my own life.

[Sarah L Bedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep walking

Thankful for the encouragement to walk closer to Jesus. Even though some of these are part of my walk with Jesus, Steve communicates very well the reality of what the Bible teaches. May this be an era where the bride of Christ walks by the Spirit.

[Makenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars! Great content-convicting, helpful, inspiring. It could and hopefully will be life changing! Stars off only because it was too long and needed some editing annnnd it had the annoying quotation blurbs that drive me nuts.

[Joe Schweitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pretty special book. The author coached missionaries and national leaders throughout SE Asia. Probably about 1 million souls in the kingdom in his tenure.

If you are feeling stagnant in your relationship with Christ, this book is for you. It’s a good book to read with a friend.

[Gini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really good information and guidance. But, like others have mentioned it's so repetitive. Yes, repetition is a good learning tool, teaching tool. It also encouraged me to skim the text. I do recommend this book, though, for his insights.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I needed to hear

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical guide to walking by the Spirit and surrendering fully to God's will, not your own, over and over again.

[Jose Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I love it. If you want to fuel your life with significant and power read this book. It will rock you

[Delaney Zook · Rating 4 out of 5]

👍