The ‘unbalanced’ church?…

There is a tendency for some churches to be too focused on the experiences of the Holy Spirit – as a church they end up seeking the experience rather than where the experience should be rooted (Jesus). In the end all that remains is outward display that means nothing without the Word of God in the heart. Equally, there are other churches which focus on the Word of God to the point of excluding the Spirit and anything possibly to do with the Spirit. In the end they become dry because the Holy Spirit that brings life to the Word of God is gone.

But in fact, the Word and the Spirit work together to bring the Bible alive in balance – not too much emphasis on one or the other. The same can be true of our personal walk with God, and perhaps its sometimes easier to find ourselves criticising the church without first looking at our own lives.

Word and Spirit Balance

Look a little closer:

Word and Spirit Balance close-up

The balance is found in our everyday walk with God – each step we take – Word and Spirit together, which draws us closer to Jesus, and brings the Words of the Bible alive. Thus we should be seeking out, studying and listening to both the Word (Bible) and the Spirit (Holy Spirit).

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.