I was a guy that spent more than 20 years in dispensational church cultures. I read all the right books, tracked with all the right influencers, watched all the right conferences, and I believed all the right doctrines.

Change came when after all that time, I realized I was missing something vital.

The term "walk in the Spirit" is not just a figure of speech or a euphemism for following a Biblical set of rules. It's not just about acquiring "the right information". Jesus warned of this when addressing the religious leaders of His day:

"You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life." - John 5:39

Having a sound doctrine is important but it's not the whole story. I would say it's possible to be Biblically accurate but relationally distant from God. On the other hand, I would also suggest that having a close relationship with God will naturally lead you towards having a sound doctrine. This is one of the functions of the Holy Spirit - as Teacher.

the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26

He is also a Comforter and Guide.

The LORD is my shepherd;
     I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
     He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
     He guides me in the paths of righteousness
     for the sake of His name.

Psalm 23:1-3

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Rom 8:14

This should also be said. The Holy Spirit is not the Bible. But He can and does lead and teach as we interact with the Bible because the written words themselves were inspired by the Holy Spirit. But sometimes church cultures get it backwards. Again, the emphasis becomes doctrinal integrity over relationship. When you do that as a church culture, the relationship piece suffers, and quite often the work of the Holy Spirit is quenched. It's no coincidence that church cultures that claim "sola scriptura" (Scripture alone) as their mantra, are often cessationist in their orientation.

Do not extinguish the Spirit.

1 Thes 5:19

To drive this point home further, the writer of Hebrews states the following:

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:

“This is the covenant I will make with them
     after those days, declares the Lord.
I will put My laws in their hearts
     and inscribe them on their minds.”

Heb 10:15-16

What's changed since the old covenant? Was it just a matter of introducing new information in the form of a new testament? What do you think the writer of Hebrews means when he says the Spirit "also testifies to us about this" and "I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds"?

It's one of the great things about the Book of John and many of the Psalms of David that's different from some of the other Books. And probably why so many new believers are drawn to them - for good reason. There's an emphasis on "relationship" that's not as evident in some of the other Books.

A person needs to be careful about neglecting the importance of relationship. It can happen to anybody. It happened to me.