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What Does It Actually Mean to Walk in the Spirit? | Pastor Cortt Chavis

  • Jul 25
  • 8 min read

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Pastor Cortt Chavis has preached across the country, served in combat, and planted a thriving church in Loganville, Georgia. He has seen God move in remarkable ways. But the thing he keeps coming back to is this: walking in the Spirit is less about chasing supernatural moments and more about daily faithfulness.


In this episode, Ryan sits down with Cortt for a conversation about what Spirit-filled living actually looks like for leaders in the real world. If you've been waiting for a feeling, chasing an experience, or wondering why your spiritual life feels more like a performance than a reality, this conversation is for you. It's time to stop overcomplicating it and start walking.






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Transcript


Welcome to the Christian Leader Made Simple podcast. I'm your host, Ryan Franklin, an executive coach and the vice president of strategic leadership and operations for Pentecostal Resources Group and the United Pentecostal Church International. If you're leading in ministry or a business, then you likely know just how easy it is to get scattered, lose your focus, and start feeling ineffective. I've been there myself, which is why I created the Christian Leader Self Assessment. It's free, and in just 10 minutes, it'll show you exactly how to gain clarity and confidence as a leader. Go to ryanfranklin.org or click the link in the description to take the assessment today.


Now, let's dive into today's episode.


Welcome to the Christian Leader Made Simple Show. My name is Ryan Franklin. Here's a question I want you to sit with for a moment: What does it actually mean to walk in the Spirit? Because if we're honest, many of us have made it way more complicated than it needs to be. Sometimes we're chasing experiences or waiting on some emotion to show up, maybe looking for a sign of some sort. While we're doing that, God might ask us to do something much less dramatic and far more consistent.


Today's guest knows a thing or two about this. He grew up in a ministry home in North Carolina where his father pastored a thriving church for over 30 years. He married his wife Amanda in 2000. They spent years serving alongside his family, learning leadership from the inside out. In 2004, he served a combat tour in Iraq. Just two years later, he felt a call to evangelistic work and spent years traveling across the US and internationally preaching and singing.


In 2012, he and Amanda founded Truth Chapel in Loganville, Georgia, where God has done some pretty awesome things. Known for passionate preaching and tremendous singing, I'm really excited to have him back for a second time on the Christian Leader Made Simple Show.


Welcome, Court Chavis.


Man, thank you so much. I feel honored to get the call back and am excited about this session today—hopefully we help somebody.


Absolutely. The first session was tremendous; it blessed many people with lots of positive feedback. I encourage new listeners to check that out in the archives.


Court, you've been in ministry your whole life—literally grew up in it—but I want to ask something personal: Was there ever a season when walking in the Spirit started feeling more like a performance than a reality? What did that look like for you?


Absolutely. Anyone who’s done this long has those seasons where they reflect and realize they might be doing things out of obligation rather than relationship—trying to meet quotas or please others instead of genuinely connecting with God. There’s always that fine line between responsibility and relationship.


Sometimes internally you may not be consistent or doing all you should be privately but publicly put on a face and make things happen ministry-wise. It can become performance—doing the job while battling your own struggles inside.


That’s when self-accountability kicks in—you need to get yourself right before continuing so you don’t work yourself into the ground disconnected from God or not truly walking in the Spirit as you should be.


Absolutely. Court, talk about grace because life swings at you hard sometimes—you’ve had rough weeks with deaths and other challenges recently—and that takes a toll.


I’m currently in a tough season myself: transitioning to St. Louis living neck deep in boxes trying to get my head wrapped around my job and life changes—it’s tough at times.


In seasons like these—hopefully short ones—we must remember God chose to partner with man and knows every inadequacy we have; He knows we require rest because He built it into His perfect plan—a day of rest.


He understands us better than we understand ourselves; His ways are higher than ours. He chose to connect with humanity so we could perpetuate His gospel, love, kindness—as Paul calls us—the ambassadors for heaven on earth.


There’s always this background truth: God knows where I’m at; He knows what I’m going through; in my weakness He is strong—not just strong but made strong by my weakness.


The danger is when we try “fake it till you make it” instead of leaning on Him honestly saying “Lord I’m tired; I’m weary; I’m unfocused.”


God waits for those moments when we become transparent and vulnerable enough to say “I don’t know what to do.” Walking in the Spirit doesn’t mean always being 100%; it means honesty with God about our seasons.


God cannot help someone who won’t ask for help or be vulnerable enough to admit weakness—and when we do that honestly, God sends strength.


I think of Jesus praying in Gethsemane—he didn’t want to do what was ahead but submitted His will saying “Not my will but Yours be done.” Ministering angels strengthened Him then—a three-hour prayer meeting got Him through a week of torture!


Peter didn’t pray; he slept—and couldn’t even get through one night without betraying Jesus—showing how powerful vulnerability before God is compared to hiding or ignoring our struggles.


So yes—the difference between performance and reality when walking in the Spirit is vulnerability; some days we’ll struggle or not be consistent but as long as we’re honest with God and ourselves—that shifts everything from performance into reality.


Absolutely! We have to have those moments where we’re humble enough just tell the truth—even if bitter like Hannah was when she prayed bitterly but still prayed—and God answered her prayer changing history forever!


Walking in the Spirit doesn’t mean perfection—it means communicating with God amid tiredness, weakness, hurt—all of it—and being real before Him.


When people hear “walking in the Spirit,” they often think spooky stuff—that these people are super spiritual all the time—but biblical examples show prophets had problems too: Elijah hid scared after calling down fire; Peter denied Christ; Paul had struggles—but they stayed consistent with God through ups and downs.


Walking consistently with God means talking with Him daily even if life isn’t perfect—it’s not about hype or emotions but about steady connection rooted in scripture because God never goes against His Word.


If you don’t know scripture well, how can you discern whether what you feel is truly from God? The Word is lamp unto our feet guiding our path—so scripture shapes how leaders experience the Spirit intimately—they must test feelings by scripture constantly.


Paul says those who are after the Spirit “mind” (think about) things of the Spirit—not dramatic displays but paying attention attentively every day acknowledging God “in all your ways.”


For example: buying a house might not seem spiritual but if you acknowledge God asking Him for guidance—that’s walking in spirit! Recognizing His involvement even in natural decisions opens supernatural doors naturally without hype or drama.


Many wait only for supernatural moments instead of being faithful in ordinary ones—but supernatural always flows out of natural obedience consistently lived out day by day. You cannot skip natural steps expecting supernatural results overnight!


I remember standing quietly at checkout once having simple conversation with an older lady named Gloria who mentioned back pain—I prayed right there spontaneously—and that natural moment led into supernatural healing prayer right then publicly without fanfare—and I believe she was touched by God’s power that day!


That kind of faithfulness daily builds consistency needed for ongoing supernatural power—not flashy displays but faithful presence ready when God moves supernaturally through natural obedience.


Leaders often want Enoch’s amazing ending (walking with God 300 years) without embracing daily consistency required over long seasons—it’s that faithful walk that pleases God even if unseen by others.


God doesn’t need our gifts or ministry per se—He needs us faithful servants using our talents humbly for His people’s sake—not seeking spotlight but serving others as Jesus did taking form of servant though Son of God himself!


Walking faithfully means submitting will daily under grace toward others—even peers or leaders above—and resisting fleshly jealousy or harshness mistaken as spirituality because true Spirit-led character bears grace not meanness pushing people away.


We all struggle sometimes with envy or bitterness but walking in Spirit leads us back toward grace by prayerful encouragement rather than condemnation—being bridges rather than barriers among believers fostering unity amid imperfections!


There’s process involved—not overnight transformation—and danger arises when gifting elevates us beyond character readiness causing falls due to premature promotion without maturity built through trials refining faithfulness patiently over time like David or Joseph experienced long journeys before fulfillment came fully!


Trying shortcuts causes stuckness spiritually because character hasn’t caught up yet—we must embrace process trusting God will bring growth through seasons including fires that test purity like refined gold!


To pastors feeling dry or stuck: If you know God called you then you’re not done—you probably just need rest! Ministry rhythms include commanded rest—which is essential not optional—to renew spirit before pressing on again effectively!


Also allow others around you—your team—to minister by praying for you openly letting them hold your hands up! Vulnerability builds faith among young ministers seeing real human struggles not superman pastors which encourages future leaders growing under authentic mentorship!


Family also ministers powerfully—wife and kids can refresh soul deeply beyond any meeting! Turn off distractions spend quality time laughing playing games watching sports together—it heals heart more than anything else restoring joy vital for ongoing fruitful ministry!


In closing: Walking in Spirit is simpler yet deeper than many imagine—it means acknowledging God daily minding spiritual things humbly praying vulnerably leaning not on our understanding but trusting His strength made perfect in weakness consistently reading Word obeying naturally so supernatural flows freely!


If anyone wants prayer support or connection please reach out via social media @CourtChavis or courtchavis@gmail.com—I’d love to minister alongside you!


Thank you again Court Chavis for joining us today! This has been an enlightening session packed full of wisdom that will bless many listeners including myself—I appreciate your heart deeply brother!


Thank you Brother Franklin—I appreciate this platform helping Christian leaders grow—we need leaders stepping up now more than ever—I love being part of it! Blessings!


This concludes our show today. My name is Ryan Franklin. Thank you so much for joining us on the Christian Leader Made Simple podcast.


Copyright © 2026 Ryan Franklin. All rights reserved.


 
 
 

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