The Marriage of Knowledge and Spirit

I once knew a Drake University professor who had worked on The Dead Seas scrolls.  He knew the scriptures in English, Greek, Hebrew and Arabic.  This man knew doctrine and could tell you more about what the Bible said then anyone I knew.

I cannot say how much of the Bible he believed, but I know he did not believe that salvation comes through Jesus Christ. This man knew all the facts, and yet he was not a Christian. He did not have the Holy Spirit within him to help him to understand what the scriptures say.

James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

There are Christians in churches all over the world who know very little about the Scripture, but the Holy Spirit is leading them. He has them telling their friends about Jesus and bringing them to Christ.  They are led to give to others who are in need and do things in God’s name.  These baby Christians are following Christ with a love and enthusiasm which should shame the rest of us.

However, they do not know the facts of what the Bible says and what doctrines say they should believe.  They could still be living in a sin because they do not know what the scriptures say about it.  They are like helpless lambs who are wandering around oblivious to what God has decreed in His Word.

We cannot  have just the facts and knowledge without the Spirit, also we cannot  have just the Spirit without the facts and knowledge.  The two must go together.  I have been saying that Christians go about their lives based upon facts, experience and knowledge using their own wisdom and strength.  They give lip service to the Spirit, but they do not truly follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The problem is not in what they know but in how that knowledge is used.  We must not think that we can do God’s work on our own.

Zechariah 4:6 “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

The more knowledge and experiences we have, the more tools the Holy Spirit can use in our lives to do His will.  We need to know the scripture.  Memorizing verses is a wonderful thing.  Knowing where to find verses that support what you believe will strengthen you.  The more facts we know the better.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Do not disparage knowing the facts about God and His word, but do not ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit as well.  They are both essential to a living, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Photo Credit: Holy Spirit by kelsey_lovefusionphoto