dynamic Duo

I know this guy…let’s call him Mark. Mark is a genius. Seriously, it’s like he has a photographic memory. He can read something once and basically have it memorized. I remember having a conversation with him once about faith and he was quoting Scripture to me like a madman. He knew chapter and verse references, spoke in the poetic King James English, yada yada yada. There was one problem with Mark, though. All that beautiful knowledge was just in his head. It still hadn’t made its way into his heart and hands. Mark could quote the Bible, but didn’t live according to it.

I know this lady…we’ll call her Tanya. Tanya is one of the most spiritual people I’ve ever known. She claims to hear the Holy Spirit speaking to her through wildflowers, the elevator music and, of course, her own thoughts. Tanya is a very sweet person, but, as you might imagine, is a bit flaky. She is hard to pin down. She doesn’t like to make commitments and is even more prone to ignore the ones she already has. She may be hearing from the Holy Spirit, but it isn’t producing much tangible fruit/evidence in her life. She is so heavenly minded that she is no earthly good.

Do you know people like Mark or Tanya? They seem to be out of balance, don’t they? I don’t think any Christian would argue that the Bible is not a good book. Of course we should read it, study it, memorize it, honor it. But it has to become more than just a book; more than just words. It has to transform our attitudes, affections and actions.

Similarly, I don’t think any of us would challenge the authority of God the Holy Spirit. The more we grow and mature in Christ, the more we’re able to hear and obey the voice of the Spirit. We need to be focused, have a quieted soul and be prepared to do whatever, whenever. But we must also be grounded in reality. We have to understand our culture, our needs and the depravity of our own spirit in order to hear The Spirit.

As a follower of Christ, we don’t need to choose. In fact, we should not choose! It’s not an either/or decision, but a both/and decision. We have all been given the gift of the Word of God (Bible) and the gift of the Holy Spirit of God. By all means, let’s use and be directed by both!

If the Bible and the Holy Sprit are both of/from God, they will be in harmony with one another. They will not tell you two completely different things. The Holy Spirit will not tell you that divorce is okay for you. How do I know that? Because the Bible says it’s not okay (check out Jesus thoughts on it in Mark 10:1-12). Likewise, you will not find any passages of Scripture that tell us to harm our fellow man. Even those who don’t believe in the Holy Spirit know that. It’s a spiritual law written on our hearts (Romans 2:15).

Of course, there are those who are always trying to pick a fight or find the loop hole. Yes, there are sticky situations where there is no clear guideline, no perfect answer…at least at first. My suggestion there is to be cautious. Move slowly. God is amazingly patient with us. If you’re not sure what step to take, maybe you should just stand still and continue seeking God. If you don’t know what words to say, just be quiet.

The Word of God and the Holy Spirit of God are like the Dynamic Duo, leading and directing our journey. Read your Bible regularly. Even study it with diligence and tenacity. Pray constantly. Learn to hear even the faintest whispers of the Holy Spirit. This Dynamic Duo is always at our fingertips; forever on the tip of our tongue. What are they saying to you?